Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
At a glance
Scientific namePseudotsuga menziesii
Trade / common nameDouglas-fir
FamilyPinaceae
RegionThe growth range of Douglas fir includes Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Coast Douglas-fir occurs in pure stands of vast forests on moist, well drained soils. Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir may occur in pure stands or mixed coniferous forests, and thrive mainly on rocky soils of mountain slopes. Douglas-fir has also been introduced to other regions in the world, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia as a source of timber.
Distribution
The growth range of Douglas fir includes Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Coast Douglas-fir occurs in pure stands of vast forests on moist, well drained soils. Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir may occur in pure stands or mixed coniferous forests, and thrive mainly on rocky soils of mountain slopes. Douglas-fir has also been introduced to other regions in the world, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia as a source of timber.
Uses
Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Lock gates, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad cars, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Sporting Goods, Structural plywood, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Utility crossarms, Utility plywood, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Warehouse construction, Wharf construction
Countries & Distribution
These country connections come directly from the same SQL country–species bridge used by Country Detail and the Global Navigator.
Wood images
Linked historical images associated with this species record.
Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
Douglas-fir
Captured from current WPhistorical species datasheet.
Projects & Inspiration
Explore possible applications, then tell Woodley what you are interested in making.
Project images are illustrative inspiration, not species-identification photographs. Suitability should be checked against the species data and project requirements.
Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Lock gates, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad cars, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Sporting Goods, Structural plywood, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Utility crossarms, Utility plywood, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Warehouse construction, Wharf construction
What would you like to make?
Tell Woodley what you have in mind. Woodley can help explore whether Douglas-fir is suitable and guide the next steps.
Project guidance can build on this species record, its properties and documented uses.
Appearance
Heartwood color
Red
Brown
Pink
Yellow
Black
Orange
Purple
Yellow to golden-yellow to orange
Reddish brown
Red
Pale red to pink
Brown
Yellow
White to cream
Light red
Large color variation
Dark brown
There is typically a clean-cut division between the hard, red-brown summerwood bands and the paler, softer, pinkish-yellow springwood
Sapwood Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Green/Grey
Pink
Paler than heartwood
White to yellow
Well defined
Reddish white
Pinkish
Luster
Medium
High
Uses & Applications
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Lock gates, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad cars, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Sporting Goods, Structural plywood, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Utility crossarms, Utility plywood, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Warehouse construction, Wharf construction
Product Sources
Supplies of Douglas-fir are adequate since the species grows rapidly, and its growth range extends over a wide area in North America. It is usually priced in the medium to lower range. Remarkably knot-free, strong, and light, Douglas-fir is considered to be one of the best known softwood timbers.
Full Technical Species Profile
The public profile includes identification, distribution, linked imagery and selected public-facing species information. Sign in to use your membership access. The complete technical record is available with an eligible paid membership.
Protected technical content includes physical and mechanical properties, working and drying characteristics, durability data, detailed technical observations, references and methodology.