# Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

> The signature conifer of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon's state tree: narrow and pyramidal when young, becoming a tall column with deeply furrowed red-brown bark and branches only in the upper crown. Soft flat needles are fragrant when crushed and the hanging cones have three-pointed bracts peeking out like mouse tails. In yards it is a big, long-lived tree for large lots, parks and screens; Portland lists it as an approved street tree for the widest planting strips.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/pseudotsuga-menziesii · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Also called: Douglas fir, Oregon pine
- Family: Pinaceae
- Type: Conifer
- Mature height: 25 m; spread 6 m
- Growth: Medium growth; lives about 500 years
- USDA hardiness zones: 4 to 6
- Light: Full sun
- Water: Moderate water
- Soil: Acidic to neutral, moist, well-drained, organically rich loam; intolerant of drought and heat
- Native range: Western North America: the coast variety from west-central British Columbia to central California, and the Rocky Mountain variety inland from central British Columbia and Alberta south through Idaho, Montana and the Rockies to Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico.

**Benefits:** Shade, Wildlife, Birds, Windbreak, Long lived, Stores carbon well

**Good for:** parks, Yard shade, Screening, Timber, Reforestation, Street tree

**Watch out for:** Heavy litter, Large roots

## Care

Plant in full sun in deep, well-drained soil and water consistently for the first few years; it does not tolerate drought, heat or humid summers. Prune only dead or hazardous limbs. Douglas-fir beetle, bark beetles, aphids, needle casts and root rots are the main problems; give it room, since it drops lower limbs and cones.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** AB, Canada (Rocky Mountain variety.); BC, Canada; AZ, United States; CA, United States; CO, United States; ID, United States; MT, United States; NM, United States; NV, United States; OR, United States; TX, United States; UT, United States; WA, United States; WY, United States
- **Recommended:** Portland, OR, United States (On Portland's approved street tree list for planting strips 8.5 ft and wider, marked native; needs ample growing space.)

## Sources

- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pseudotsuga-menziesii/
- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PSME
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudotsuga_menziesii