Where?
Douglas-fir is found primarily on the southern mainland coast and Vancouver Island, it is one of North America's most important timber trees.
Douglas Fir
(Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Also known as Coast Douglas-fir, Oregon Pine, Oregon Douglas-fir, Douglas Tree, Interior Douglas Fir, Douglas Spruce, Yellow Fir and Red Fir.
The wood is hard, strong, straight-grained and seasons well. It is used for piles, poles, props, masts, car construction, interior finishes, tanks, pipes, etc. Douglas Fir is unsurpassed for structural and heavy timber use. Heavy duty construction uses include wharves, trestles, bridge parts and commercial buildings.
An old growth Douglas Fir reaches sizes of 10 feet (3 metres) in width by 280 feet (85 meters) in height. Smaller interior varieties of Douglas Fir can reach 138 feet (42 meters) in height.
Only one Douglas-fir is native to the Pacific Northwest, and it's by far the most important member of the entire genus. Its common name is identical to that of the genus, reflecting its importance.
Named after the Scottish botanist, David Douglas, who introduced many of BC's native conifers to Europe, the Coast Douglas Fir is not a fir at all but 'Pseudotsuga' or "False Hemlock".
Characterized by its density, strength and durability, the Coast Douglas Fir is extremely desirable for the timber frame and post and beam residential and light commercial housing industry.
Douglas Fir is unique among all softwood species in that it is dimensionally stable without being dried, meaning that it does not shrink or twist significantly. Many builders prefer to cut, nail and fasten it in the "green" or unseasoned condition, allowing it to air dry during construction. For millwork, re-manufacturing applications or glued products, our Douglas-fir is dried in temperature and humidity-controlled kilns or stacked and air dried until its moisture content reaches the desired level for the intended purpose.
Douglas Fir's appearance and stability make it ideal for joinery, doors, millwork, window and door casings, mantels, stairs and baseboards, paneling, and flooring. Treated pilings and decking are used in marine structures. The wood is also made into railroad ties, mine timbers, house logs, posts and poles, flooring, veneer and furniture.