About this tree
Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Douglas fir, is native to the mountain forests of western North America, particularly the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. This evergreen tree is one of the tallest conifers in the world, reaching heights of up to 60 m. It has a pyramidal shape with dense, dark green needles and distinctive cones with three-pronged bracts. It is highly valued in the timber industry for its strong, straight wood, which is used in construction, furniture making, and paper production. Its thick canopy offers a safe haven for many species, and its seeds are an important food source for birds like crossbills. Pseudotsuga menziesii is not technically a true fir (genus Abies), despite its name. The tree’s name honours the Scottish botanist David Douglas, who first introduced it to Europe in the 19th century.