Douglas fir

Profile

Family

Pinaceae

Habit

Tree

Height

72.5 m

Spread

20 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

1300 years

First yield

after 12 years

Hardiness

zone 4–7

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

5 – 7

Synonyms

Abies douglasii, Douglasie

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Junge Triebspitzen – werden als Würzmittel in gekochten Speisen verwendet. Dezentes holziges Aroma. Aus den jungen Blättern und Zweigen wird ein erfrischender Tee zubereitet. Reich an Vitamin C. Wird einige Berichte daher als Kaffee-Ersatz verwendet. Die frischen Blätter haben einen angenehmen balsamischen Geruch und werden als Kaffee-Ersatz verwendet. Innere Rinde – getrocknet, zu Mehl gemahlen und mit Getreide vermischt, um Brot etc. zu backen. Ein Hungernahrungsmittel, das verwendet wurde, wenn alles andere versagt. Aus der Rinde tritt eine süße, mannaähnliche Substanz aus. Dieser Bericht bezieht sich möglicherweise auf das Harz, das aus dem Stamm gewonnen wird und von verschiedenen nordamerikanischen Indianerstämmen als Kaugummi verwendet wird. Alternativ könnte sich der Bericht auf den Saft beziehen, der als zuckerähnliches Nahrungsmittel verwendet wird.

Medicinal: Douglas fir was commonly used for medicinal purposes by various Native American tribes to treat a range of ailments. In modern herbal medicine, it is rarely utilized. An antiseptic resin is extracted from the bark and applied as a poultice to treat cuts, burns, wounds, and skin conditions. This poultice is also used for treating injured or dislocated bones. The resin is employed for cough treatment and can be chewed to alleviate sore throats. An infusion made from the green bark was historically used to address excessive menstruation, intestinal bleeding, and stomach issues. A leaf infusion served as a wash and sweat bath for rheumatic and paralyzed joints. Infusions from young shoots were used to treat colds. Branch or shoot infusions were employed for kidney and bladder problems. A decoction from the buds was utilized for treating sexually transmitted diseases. Young shoots were placed in shoe tips to prevent foot sweating and fungal infections. Soaking the shoots in cold water produces a mouthwash.

Other uses: A light brown dye is extracted from the bark. The bark serves as a source of tannin and can be used as a substitute for cork. It is also utilized in the production of fertilizers. The bark contains resin, burns with high heat and minimal smoke, making it a valued fuel source. Small roots were used to make baskets. The plant exhibits insecticidal properties. Resin similar to that of Abies balsamea is obtained from the trunk and is used in the manufacture of adhesives, candles, as a sealant for microscopes and slides, and as a fixative in soaps and perfumes. The resin can also be used for caulking boats. Due to its rapid growth and relative wind resistance, it is commonly used in windbreaks. The wood is heavy, strong, fine-grained, and durable, suitable for various constructions, telegraph poles, furniture, and as a premium fuel source.

Growing

Use in landscaping and garden design: Christmas tree, firewood, possible aggressive surface roots, privacy screen, individual tree. Prefers moist but not waterlogged alluvial soil. Dislikes calcareous soils. Trees do not thrive in dry, water-deficient soils. While moderately wind-resistant, tall specimens are likely to lose their crown above 30 meters, except in the most sheltered areas. As a highly decorative tree, it is the most widely cultivated timber tree globally and is extensively used for reforestation. There are several named varieties selected for their ornamental value. Trees can be planted in partial shade, but this must be removed in the first years to avoid growth impairment. Initially slow-growing, the tree soon grows extremely fast with new shoots of up to 1.2 meters per year. This annual growth rate can be sustained for many years. Trees in protected Scottish valleys have reached a height of 55 meters in 100 years. New growth occurs from May to July. Trees require abundant rainfall for good growth. They should be planted in their final location when still quite small, between 30 and 90 cm. Larger trees will suffer significant breakage and minimal growth for several years, affecting root development and wind resistance. Trees are very long-lived, with specimens over 1,000 years old known. Seed production begins when trees are around 10 years old, with good production taking an additional 15 to 20 years. Good harvests are achieved approximately every 6 years. This tree is a pioneer species as it cannot reproduce under its own canopy. The bark of mature trees can be 30 cm thick, insulating the trunks from forest fire heat. This species is particularly resistant to honey fungus. Young shoots can be damaged by late frosts. The leaves have a strong sweet-fruity scent. Notable features: Native to North America, inconspicuous flowers.

Propagation

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn/winter for stratification. Alternatively, store seeds dry and sow them in late winter. Once seedlings are large enough, transplant them into individual pots and keep them in partial shade of the cold frame for at least the first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Seedlings tolerate partial shade in their early growth years. Cones often drop with seeds inside from the tree. If you have an abundance of seeds, sow them outdoors in an early spring seedbed. Continue growing the plants for at least two years in the seedbed before transplanting them in late autumn or early spring.

Origin & habitat

Western North America - Canada to California. Occasionally self-sows.

Moist grasslands can be found on hillsides in lowlands and mountains throughout Japan.

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