The Douglas fir is a large tree that retains its green needles even in winter. Hardly anyone knows more about this giant from another continent. It is exciting to delve into the description and to draw comparisons with native conifer species.

The cones hang from the Douglas fir

names

A member of the pine family, Douglas fir is known by the following names:

  • German name: Douglas fir
  • Botanical name: Pseudotsuga menziesii
  • Common names: Douglas fir, Douglas fir

The Scottish botanist David Douglas is the namesake of this tree. He brought them to Europe at the beginning of the 19th century.

origin

The Douglas fir is native to western North America. There it grows at higher altitudes, where it becomes much larger and older than ours. Specimens over 800 years old have been sighted.

The Douglas fir has been represented in Europe for around 200 years and is now one of the most commonly cultivated non-native tree species. In Germany, they make up 2% of the tree population.

Some scientists suspect that the Douglas fir was native to European soil before the Ice Age.

growth and age

The Douglas fir is an evergreen conifer. It grows upright, forming a spreading, conical crown with branches arranged in tiers.

  • Growth height: in this country max. 60 meters
  • Growth per year: approx. 40 cm
  • reachable age: more than 400 years

The bark of the Douglas fir is smooth and gray when young. With increasing age, a thick, reddish-brown bark with deep grooves develops.

needles

  • evergreen, soft and dull
  • about 3 to 4 cm long
  • light green when sprouting
  • later blue-green
  • go straight off the branch
  • smell intensely of lemon when crushed

blossom

  • Flowering begins between the ages of 15 and 40
  • male flowers grow in clusters, are yellow and about 1.5 cm long
  • female flowers grow sporadically, are red and about 2 cm long
  • Flowering time is April to May

fruits and seeds

  • red-brown cones, spindle-shaped
  • Length: approx. 10 cm
  • Diameter: approx. 3.5 cm
  • fall from the tree when ripe (around September)
  • the seeds are about 5-6 cm long, each with wings

propagation

Douglas firs are propagated from seed. However, the propagation is demanding and tedious. Seedlings are therefore often bought for planting in the home garden.

location claims

  • sunny to partially shaded place
  • sheltered from the wind
  • loose, moist and nutrient-rich soil

The Douglas fir needs more and more space over the years and should therefore not be planted too close to buildings. The distance should match their height.

diseases and pests

Especially at a young age, up to around the age of 15, the Douglas fir is more susceptible to fungal diseases and pests. Some pathogens have followed it from its homeland to Europe, but native species have now also discovered this tree for themselves.

  • Rusty Douglas Fir Shed (Ascomycete Mushroom)
  • Sooty Douglas Fir Shed (Ascomycete Mushroom)
  • root rot
  • Douglas Fir Mealybugs
  • bark beetle

use

The wood of this conifer species can be used in a variety of ways in construction and is therefore in high demand on the market. It is stable, durable and easy to impregnate.

toxicity

The Douglas fir is not poisonous, on the contrary:

  • it has healing ingredients
  • used in herbal medicine
  • is used for the production of cosmetics
  • young shoots, flowers and seeds are edible

Category:

Trees