Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Douglas Fir is a stately North American evergreen with a strong central leader, soft blue-green needles, and distinctive cones; its naturally pyramidal form provides year-round structure for spacious landscapes, windbreaks, and native plantings.

Distinctive Features

Soft, flattened needles with a fresh, resinous scent clothe dense branches, while dangling cones show unique three-pronged bracts; smooth young bark becomes thick and furrowed with age, enhancing rugged character.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun for best density and growth; tolerates light, open shade in cooler climates.
• Soil: Deep, well-drained, moisture-retentive soils high in organic matter; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during establishment; afterward, water deeply during prolonged dry spells.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7, depending on provenance.
• Mature Size: Typically 70 to 120 ft tall and 20 to 30 ft wide in cultivation; larger in ideal conditions.
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, about 5.5 to 7.0.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Strong, pyramidal silhouette anchors large lawns and entries.
• Windbreak: Dense, fast growth provides effective, year-round screening.
• Wildlife Habitat: Cones and cover support birds and small mammals.
• Reclamation: Stabilizes slopes and adds long-term canopy in restoration projects.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply soak root zone during the first 2 to 3 years and in drought; allow the surface to dry between deep waterings.
• Pruning: Minimal; preserve the central leader and prune only dead, damaged, or crossing limbs in late winter.
• Fertilizing: Light spring feeding for evergreens if growth is weak; avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Mulching: Apply 2 to 3 in of shredded bark to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weeds.
• Notes: Best in regions with cool summers and good air movement; monitor for needle casts and bark beetles, and avoid hot, humid sites.

Why Choose Douglas Fir?

• Classic Form: Naturally symmetrical, pyramidal habit needs little shaping.
• Fast Establishment: Quick growth delivers shade and screening sooner.
• Evergreen Presence: Fine needles provide four-season color and texture.
• Ecological Value: Native species that supports local wildlife.

Select Douglas Fir for a commanding, low-maintenance evergreen that excels in full sun and well-drained, evenly moist soils.