FAQ – Frequently asked Questions
Questions about Douglas fir
1. What color is the Heartwood of Douglas fir?
Depending on topography, geological location and the size of the logs: rose colored/red to red-brown.
2. Ist die Douglasie heimisch?
No. Although there is little proof, there is evidence, that in the pre-ice age there were one or several species of the “Pseudotsuga” to be found on the European continent. The fossil remains of the rest of the European Pseudotsuga species have little in common with modern species. It might be that the European Pseudotsuga species might have become extinct. This means that the species of Douglas fir found in Europe today (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is of foreign origin and not a reintroduction of a species to an area in which it used to be indigenous. So the Douglas fir can be considered a foreign species much like the occurrence of the North American Red Oak (Quercus rubra). This species of oak is truly foreign, although other oak species such as English Oak (Quercus robur) or the Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) occur naturally. (source: KOHNLE 2002).
3. Where does the Douglas Fir indigenous?
The original Douglas fir comes from the North-West of North America. The natural range of the Douglas fir stretches from the south of British Columbia, Canada to the northern areas of Mexico and stretches east-west from the pacific to the Rocky Mountains. (KOHNLE 2002).
4. Is the Douglas fir weather and fungus resistant/ long lasting?
Yes, since the nuclear material is stored within the cell walls, the heartwood is very durable. Douglas fir wood has a durability class of 3-4.
5. Is the Douglas fir suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, it is excellent for outdoors use due to its heartwood and its strong resistance to fungi and wood eating organisms.
6. Is the Douglas fir suitable for indoor use?
Yes, the wood shrinks moderately and has good strength and elastic properties.
7. Do sap pockets occur often in Douglas fir?
Yes, but fewer compared to Larches, Pines or Spruce (Conifers do not have any sap channels within its wood body).
8. Is the Douglas fir a soft wood?
Yes, but compared to other Firs it is relatively hard. The higher the proportion of summer wood (the dark part of the rings) the harder the wood.
9. Is the Douglas fir suitable for furniture use??
Yes. The technical properties and good workability of the Douglas fir make it a good, although not yet widespread, wood for furniture.
10. Why is the bark of the Douglas fir so thick?
It stands, yet to be fully explained, as to how much influence the North American origin has, especially considering the forest fire prone region which it originated from. It does seem to have evidence though that there is a relationship between the thickness of the bark of the Douglas fir and its fire resistance. (McCONNON und KNOWLES, 2003).
11. How tall does the Douglas fir grow in German/Europe?
Commonly the Douglas fir reaches heights of 40 to 50m, but in our climate, they can reach up to 60m. The highest tree in Germany is a Douglas fir at 62.45m (Stand: 2006).
12. Do Spruces/Conifers also grow that tall?
No. Conifers commonly grow to about 40m and Spruces to 40m with some exceptions of record heights of 50-60m.
13. How tall does a Douglas fir grow in its indigenous environment?
In its home the Douglas fir can grow twice as high as it can in central Europe, meaning they can reach heights of 100 to 120m. Where the diameter can be up to 4m at the base and each tree can contain a volume of 240m³. That is equal to 8 truckloads of wood.
