Douglas-fir -- Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pronunciation: soo-doe-soo’-ga men-zee’-see-eye

Leaves: Single on stem, linear, petiolate, the base is constricted, ¾” - 1 ¼” long, persistent (8+ years), flattened, spiraling around the stem (not 2 ranked), yellow-green or blue-green, flexible, and may be noticeably grooved along the center on one side, not sharp. Retained for 5-8 years.

Cones: 2”- 4” long, pendent, ovoid-cylindric, exserted, 3-pronged bract (rat’s tail)

Bark: Young: smooth, some resin blisters, gray-brown

Old: Thick, deep fissures, corky, dark red-brown

Twig: reddish-brown; small leaf pads

Bud: Chestnut brown ¼” long, shiny, sharp-pointed

Habit/Form: Pyramidal, 60’ tall main branches are ascending, found in montane and foothills areas

Other:

-6,000’ - 8,500’ (Rocky Mountains)

-8,000’ - 10,000’ (Southern Rockies)

-“Oregon Pine” - dimorphic species (coastal, Rocky Mountains)

“Intermediate” shade tolerance

-Occurs in pure and mixed stands

-Fast growing, more wind tolerant and soil adaptable than true firs.

-Prefers well-drained soils

-50% of standing timber in west and largest timber producer in the US

-Named for Archibald Menzies

-The Latin name "pseudo-tsuga" can be translated to false hemlock