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Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
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Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
by Ariadne Unst
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): Description.
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Pseudotsuga menziesii has two varieties:
(a) Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, which is widespread in CA;
(b) Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca, which grows in the Rocky Mountains.
- Leaves:
- Blue-green, growing on all sides of a twig or branch.
Typically 1 inch (2.5 cm) needles.
- Douglas-firs are evergreen.
- Shape and Trunk:
- To 250 feet (76 m.) high and 8 feet (3 m.) diameter on the moist Pacific coast.
To 130 feet (40 m.) high and 3 feet (1 m.) diameter in dry inland areas.
- Narrow. Pointed at crown.
- Young tree has smooth, grayish bark.
Older trees are dark reddish-brown and deeply furrowed.
- Reproduction:
- Cones are about 3 inches (8 cm) long and elliptical.
- Unique feature: 3-pointed bracts, which appear under each scale.
These are often compared to the tails of a trio of mice.
- Cones droop on the branches. (In contrast,
cones of the true firs are upright.)
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii): FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
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- What other names are used for Douglas-fir?
It's also called red-fir, Oregon-pine, and Douglas-spruce.
Pseudotsuga menziesii var.menziesii (widespread in California)
is sometimes called coast Douglas-fir,
- How do we use Douglas-fir?
It is one of the world's most important and valuable timber trees.
- Where do we find Douglas-fir?
It is native to North America between 19° to 55° North.
It has been common in western North America since the mid-Pleistocene
(as shown by fossils).
During the last century, it has been introduced into other regions of the temperate forest zone.
- How long does it live?
Typically it can live up to 700 years old.
Some have been found to live twice as long.
- What trees grow in association?
Douglas-fir grows in mixed conifer forests,
which mix ponderosa pine (P.
ponderosa),
sugar pine (P.
lambertiana),
incense-cedar, Douglas-fir, and white fir.
Higher elevation include white fir.
Other associations are:
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