![](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/douglas1.jpg?d=128x128)Douglas fir: Meaning and use ============================ The Douglas fir is fast-growing, reaches great heights, and is an ideal tree for renewing and regenerating forests and woodland areas. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Douglas fir Originally found in North America, the Douglas fir (*Pseudotsuga menziesii*) is actually not a true fir tree. It was introduced to Europe in the early 19th century by David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported its extraordinary nature and potential. It has also been known as the Oregon pine. The Douglas fir grows quickly, thrives in cold conditions, and can grow to an enormous 100m tall. [ Become a Tree Owner ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ### Why does EcoTree plant Douglas fir? After being introduced to France, the Douglas fir has become the second most popular reforestation species. Thanks to its resistance to cold, frost, snow, and wind, EcoTree plants Douglas fir in both France and Denmark, in cold and wet regions for reforestation or continuous cover forestry. The tree is home to a great number of animal, vegetal, and fungal species. Its natural durability renders it rot-proof, an indispensable quality, especially when used as timber. ### Douglas fir - Overview ### Douglas fir - Overview In North America, the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) can live for up to 1,000 years and grows rapidly, producing high-quality wood. This tree has a conical shape with a straight trunk covered in grey-green, shiny bark when young, which exposes pockets of resin. As it ages, the bark becomes corky and orange-brown. Mature trees can reach 50 to 80 meters tall with a diameter of 2 meters in their natural habitat, though in Europe, they rarely exceed 70 meters. The needles are soft, with grooves on top and two white stripes underneath, and they smell like lemongrass when crushed. The Douglas fir is monoecious, meaning it has both male and female cones. The cones bud in April-May and ripen by October, hanging from the branches and producing a distinctive three-pointed bract from each scale. It's an evergreen tree, retaining its needles year-round. Read moreRead less ![Douglas fir](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/species/douglas2.jpg?d=128x128) ### Douglas fir - Species requirements The Douglas fir is a resilient tree that can grow in all conditions, from the **cold of winter** to the **intense heat** of summer. However, when it is very young, it needs plenty of light to prosper and in its early years, it can succumb to winter droughts, violent winds or even a late frost. Originally, the Douglas fir grew in regions where the climate is mild and humid. In Europe, it is sensitive to the dryness of the air, especially when young. We plant Douglas fir in spring and autumn, making sure that they are positioned in the sun or **mid-shade**. This is a tree that will grow in all types of well-drained soil, so long as it is humid, free from chalk and has low acidity. ### Douglas fir The wood from a **Douglas fir** is hardy, perfect for high-quality building materials. Its heartwood is pinkish brown while its sapwood is light yellow-brown. The grain is very straight with large rings, a testament to the **tree's fast growth**, and a strong texture mostly on the most recent wood. Of great size with many twigs, the heartwood of the Douglas fir is more solid and resistant than most conifers usually planted throughout North America and Europe. This helps make the Douglas fir's wood ideal for traditional carpentry. ### Douglas fir's symbolism It is no surprise that Douglas fir represents resilience and durability. Perhaps that makes it the ideal gift for a special wedding day or a long-lasting friendship? Anyone can give a tree as a gift through EcoTree. Many people choose the Douglas fir because it symbolises a relationship that is built to last. ### Our selection of trees Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change? ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/ad2a046f70a19b5676020f6a34c3b596539cbcd6.jpg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) [Corsican Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/f4a7544286932b940ef11026e965c0a38d019af8.png?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) Popular [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7547) [Sessile Oak](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7547) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Laneuville forest Meuse, Grand Est, France Add to cart ![](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/03/dd7ce55df2c354580f6e5888986fc66b4521810f.jpeg?d=240x135) ![Flag FR](https://img.ecotree.green/graphism/flags/fr.svg) New forest [See in detail](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7614) [Sitka Spruce](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7614) €19 Age: 0 to 2 years old Priziac forest Morbihan, Brittany, France Add to cart Please note that this is promotional communication. See our [notice of information](https://ecotree.green/en/notice-of-information). [ See our trees ](https://ecotree.green/en/treeshop) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)graham has started a [subscription of 1 tree in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Raphaël has started a [subscription of 2 trees in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Chloe has started a [subscription of 3 trees in France](/en/grow-your-own-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Heta has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://img.ecotree.green/flora/drone/lanrivain-fr-03.jpg?d=70x70)Adrian has started a [subscription of 1 tree in Denmark](/en/grow-your-own-danish-forests) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/3999b46899e4791fd1ff5dccab53f800a2c7edc5.jpg?d=70x70)Thu Trang helped preserve 10.05 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Nouic Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6243) project in Nouïc Forest (Haute-Vienne, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/ad2a046f70a19b5676020f6a34c3b596539cbcd6.jpg?d=70x70)English purchased [1 Corsican Pine](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7383) from Laneuville forest (Meuse, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/pack/0001/06/73607ab34b5ac5f0887ab02d21bb04b8de505aa2.jpg?d=70x70)Margit gave away [1 Newly planted forest bundle bundle](https://ecotree.green/en/article/7205) from Different regions (DK) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/ba0ad016319bc69697b63bae5029778fb1593a24.jpg?d=70x70)Pierre-Olivier helped preserve 1 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Pézarches Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6248) project in Pézarches Forest (Seine-et-Marne, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/hero/0001/05/ba0ad016319bc69697b63bae5029778fb1593a24.jpg?d=70x70)Pierre-Olivier helped preserve 1 m² of the [m2 of restored natural ecosystem in Pézarches Forest, France ](https://ecotree.green/en/article/6248) project in Pézarches Forest (Seine-et-Marne, FR) ![ecotree](https://bocdn.ecotree.green/essence/0001/05/187b6bd8625bacdd11392c2ea17058c5962ebc7f.png?d=70x70)GILLES purchased [1 Hazel](https://ecotree.green/en/article/4090) from The Old Gravel Forest in Nysum (Nordjylland, DK) ### It's in the bag, great choice! 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