Family: Pinaceae

This Tree in Colorado: Douglas fir is one of the noblest forest trees. It is a high valued timber species because of the strength of its wood. In Colorado it grows naturally with ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine forests, especially on the moister and cooler north facing slopes. It prefers full sunlight. Because of its ability to maintain needles (5-8 years) and its compact branching habit, Douglas fir is often a favorite Christmas(Holiday) Tree.

  Growth Rate:  Doug fir grows at a medium rate (1' to 2' per year) depending on site conditions. In Colorado, normal height is around 100', with the tallest being 138'. It has a pendulous look to the branches and forms a upright conical appearance.

Landscape Use:  Douglas fir can be a nice substitute for blue spruce, however, it does not grow as densely foliaged. It may struggle some in the heavy clay soils found in most urban areas. It would be great for a Holiday tree garden (grove). 

Best Advice: Use in groups as a screen planting along fences or property boundaries. As a single planting, give it space to grow. Do not plant within 10 feet of homes or driveways/roads.

Hardiness:  Zones 4 to 6. Likes sunny sites.

Leaves: Single needles, flat, blunt. About 1" in length. 

Cones:  Significant. Ornate. Hangs down. About 3" in length. Three-pointed seed bracts extend beyond cones scales giving the cone a distinctive look.

Bark: Young bark is smooth and light colored with resin blisters. Older trunks often divided into thick reddish-brown ridges separated by deep fissures.

Insects and Disease:  Recently there has been an abundance of insects attacking the native stands of Douglas fir. Spruce budworm, Tussock moth, and Douglas-fir beetle.

Information Sources:  Dirr, Michael Dr., "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants," 1990

             Kuhns, Michael Dr., "A Guide to the Trees of Utah and the Intermountain West,"1998