Family: Pinaceae
Common Name: Douglas Fir

Only one of the six species of this genus of conifers is in general cultivation. P. menziesii is a majestic tree, occurring naturally in a belt of magnificent, coniferous forest on the North American west coast. The name Oregon pine (or Oregon) is given to the timber of this species, exported from North America in huge quantities. The Douglas fir is recommended for planting only in the largest gardens and in parks and arboreta. Apart from one species from Mexico and California, the other four species are all from eastern Asia. This distribution of North America and eastern Asia is the same for a number of tree genera, including Thuja, Calocedrus, Liriodendron and Magnolia.

Species

P. menziesii is very similar to the true firs (Abies). Like them, it has short, flattened, needle-like leaves, which are blueish green and fragrant. However, its cones are pendulous like those of the spruces, with thin, brownish, persistent scales. In the wild, it grows into a huge tree, sometimes exceeding 90 m (36 in). Its sturdy trunk is clothed in dark reddish brown, corky bark.

Cultivation

The Douglas fir does best in cool areas with very high rainfall in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Under such conditions, saplings can grow by 2 m (6 ft) a year in their rapid-growth phase. Propagation is from seed only, obtainable from the cones freely carried on even quite young trees. Germination is reliable and quite rapid. After planting out, young trees normally require no staking or trimming.

Climate

Zone 6.