Pseudotsuga menziesii
Tallest tree in the pine family, native to western North America.
Pseudotsuga menziesii, commonly known as Douglas-fir, is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae, and is the tallest tree in that family. Native to western North America, it is also called Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. Despite its common names, it is not a true fir, spruce, pine, or hemlock; the genus name Pseudotsuga means 'false hemlock.' The species includes three varieties: coast Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, and Mexican Douglas-fir.
- Common names
- Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, Columbian pine
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Native range
- Western North America
- Maximum diameter
- Nearly 5 m (16 ft)
- Maximum age
- Over 1,300 years (coast variety)
- Varieties
- Three: coast, Rocky Mountain, Mexican
Lore & Background
The common name honors David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported the extraordinary nature and potential of the species. One Coast Salish name for the tree, used in the Halkomelem language, is lá:yelhp; in the Lushootseed language, it is called čəbidac. The bark on mature trees is very thick and corky, growing up to 36 cm (14 in) thick, making it one of the most fire-resistant trees native to the Pacific Northwest. The female cones have distinctive long, trifid bracts that protrude above each scale, said to resemble the back half of a mouse.
Reader's Guide
Pseudotsuga menziesii is ecologically and economically significant as the dominant tree west of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Its thick bark provides exceptional fire resistance, and its seeds are a crucial food source for small mammals such as moles, shrews, and chipmunks. Mature Douglas-fir forest is the primary habitat for the red tree vole and the spotted owl. The species is also naturalised in Europe, Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand, where it is both a common lumber tree and, in New Zealand, considered an invasive wilding conifer. The coast Douglas-fir variety grows larger and faster than the interior Rocky Mountain variety, and it competes well on most parent materials and slopes. The species exhibits considerable morphological plasticity, adapting to both moist coastal climates and drier interior sites. Its historical record includes fossils from the Miocene and Pliocene of Europe.
Did You Know?
- Despite its common name, Douglas-fir is not a true fir (genus Abies), spruce (Picea), pine (Pinus), or hemlock (Tsuga); its genus name Pseudotsuga means 'false hemlock'.
- The female cones have distinctive three-pointed bracts that are said to resemble the back half of a mouse, with two feet and a tail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pseudotsuga menziesii?
It is an evergreen conifer in the pine family (Pinaceae) native to western North America, best known by the common name Douglas-fir. It holds the record as the tallest tree in the entire pine family.
Is Douglas-fir actually a true fir?
No — despite names like Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine, it belongs to none of those genera. The genus name Pseudotsuga translates to 'false hemlock,' a nod to the long-standing taxonomic mix-up.
What varieties of Douglas-fir are recognized?
Three varieties are acknowledged: coast Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, and Mexican Douglas-fir. The coast variety is the one that attains the greatest heights and longest lifespans.
Why does Douglas-fir go by so many different common names?
The cluster of names (Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, Columbian pine) all refer to the same species and reflect early confusion about where it truly fit in the tree family. None of those labels are taxonomically correct, since it is in fact a 'false hemlock' in the genus Pseudotsuga.
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