Douglas-fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii - Benton Soil And Water Conservation District

Douglas-fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii

The image shows a close-up of a pine tree branch with elongated green needles and small reddish-brown cones forming near the tips.

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

The image shows two reddish-brown pine cones hanging from a green pine branch. The surrounding foliage is lush and green.

Photo Credit: Seven Oaks Native Nursery

A tall, evergreen conifer tree with dense, green foliage, standing alone in a natural setting.

Description

Oregon’s state tree is a large evergreen coniferous tree that grows over 200 feet tall with dark brown furrowed bark. It produces bright orange buds and iconic cones with papery three-forked bracts which extend beyond scales. Can live over 1000 years.

Plant Details

Habitats	Oak Woodland, Upland Prairie and Savanna, Riparian Forests, Bottomland Forests, Mixed Hardwood-Conifer Forest or Woodland
Habitat Notes	Thick bark enables it to survive moderate fire.
Phenology	Cones mature in the fall
Mature Height	200’+
Shade Preference	sun, part shade
Soil Tolerance	Grows on all but wettest soils
Special Uses	Grown for timber production; deer resistant
Ethnobotany	Coastal Indigenous tribes use douglas-fir wood for fuel, small utensils, and tools.

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Native Plant Database

We have a large searchable database of plants that are native to the Willamette Valley and other parts of Benton County. View images and filter the list by plant characteristics

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A lush forest scene with tall oak trees, green leaves, moss, and undergrowth, under a clear blue sky.

Oak Woodland

Oregon White Oaks dominate these woodlands and may support an open to moderately shrubby understory. Over thirty percent of the canopy shades the ground, but still filter light allowing oak seedling…

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Upland Prairie and Savanna

Upland prairies or open grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems in Oregon. Historically, they occurred across the Willamette Valley and are vegetated by perennial grasses and annual or…

A lush green riparian forest with tall red alder trees and a rocky stream running through it.

Riparian Forests

Riparian areas are defined by NRCS as ecosystems that occur along waterways and water bodies. They serve as the transition between aquatic and terrestrial zones.

Bottomland Forests

Bottomland forests are generally used to describe forests which are comprised of both hardwood and softwood tree species that occur on low-elevation, alluvial floodplains or lower terraces of rivers…

A dense forest with tall trees and lush green undergrowth.

Mixed Hardwood-Conifer Forest or Woodland

Mixed hardwoods and conifers characterize this habitat which is widespread in western Oregon in the medium elevations of the hills of the Coast Range. Precipitation is higher in this habitat than in…