Douglas-firs are evergreen trees with pyramidal habits and irregularly whorled branches. Branchlets are nearly smooth but not as smooth as the branches of firs. Buds are long, pointed, and not resinous. Leaves are spirally arranged and narrow-linear in outline. Flowers are monoecious. Fruit is a pendulous cone with three-lobed bracts extending beyond the cone scales.
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| Common Douglas Fir |
Pseudotsuga menziesi (taxifolia, douglasi)– Common Douglas-Fir
Common Douglas-Fir–Pseudotsuga menziesi
The Douglas-fir is a beautiful tree that is not a true fir. It was introduced to Ohio from the Rocky Mountains and Pacific northwest regions of the United States. Trees attain a height of 200—300 feet and 3—4 feet in diameter in their native region. West of the Cascade Mountains in Washington and Oregon, the Douglas-fir is so dominant that it is almost a naturally occurring monoculture. Douglas-firs are evergreen trees with pyramidal habits and irregularly whorled branches.
Foliage is feathery soft and not sharp. The 1—1 1/4 inch (2 1/2—3 cm) long, flat needles vary from blue to dark green in color. Leaves are spirally arranged and narrow-linear in outline. Branchlets are nearly smooth, but not as smooth as the branches of firs. Buds are long, pointed, and not resinous. Flowers are monoecious and bloom in May. Fruit is a pendulous cone with three-lobed bracts extending beyond the cone scales. The fruit is very distinctive and is the best identification feature when present.
Color variations from silver to heavy bluish-green are grown commercially. This is one of the best evergreens for ornamental and specimen planting on large lawns. Douglas-firs are also planted for Christmas tree purposes, commanding a premium price in Ohio. The Rocky Mountain type seems to thrive better in Ohio than the Pacific Coast form. This tree is site-demanding and disease sensitive under the wrong soil conditions. In addition, Douglas-firs are intolerant of poor drainage.
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