Unveiling the Mystery of the Mighty Douglas Fir
Whether you are a new forager or you are a professional wanting to learn more nuances of the Douglas fir, this guide has something for you. We’ll learn how to identify this tree, where you can find it, and how to make tea from its needles.
Pseudotsuga menziesii “Douglas fir”
A tree of mystery, wonder, and character, the Douglas fir is an iconic tree with a thorough history. Known scientifically as Pseudotsuga menziesii and commonly as a “Douglas fir,” this tree is Oregon’s state tree, and for good reason. It not only helps us humans with its valuable timber, but it also has compounds with exceptional health and medicinal value.
Once you’ve learned how to identify and use this tree then you will be able to find it wherever you go. It is a tree of much lore and history in the Pacific Northwest. Pseudotsuga menziesii is used for commercial forestry and as a Christmas tree in Europe and the United States, so it can also be found growing in many other countries.
Why add this tree to your forager repertoire? Well, for starters It’s a tried and true conifer with beneficial needles that you can harvest year-round. Douglas fir also provides much-needed habitat and shelter for various species of birds, mammals, and insects. I’ve seen many a squirrel and bird take perch way high up in the Douglas firs in my backyard. They seem to like the privacy up there.
How to Identify
Douglas firs can be distinguished from other trees by these key features:
Cone of the Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Cones
Douglas fir cones have cute little markings that resemble mice diving inside for cover. See for yourself!
Needles
Needles of this tree radiate out from the branches in all directions, and not on a linear plane.
Needles are bluish-green in color.
New Growth
New growth is soft, bright green, and grows out of buds in early spring.
Fragrance
Try crushing the needles of Douglas fir and you’ll encounter a fresh, piney scent. Douglas fir needles will always have this smell when you crush them.
Bark
In older, mature trees the bark is thick and fissured. It also becomes reddish-brown over time. The trunk will also lose its lower branches with age.
Younger trees have smooth and gray-green bark. The young trees are often shaped like pyramidal Christmas trees.
Trunk of a mature Pseudotsuga menziesii
Where to Find It
Pseudotsuga menziesii has a large native range that extends from California to Alaska. It can be found growing throughout Oregon and Washington, from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains. An ancient tree, it has been recorded growing to be 1400 years old!
Because of its large native range, Douglas fir can tolerate a wide variety of conditions. This tree forms forests that grow to the edge of the Pacific coast, and it also creates dense stands in the Rocky Mountains. In dry areas with low soil fertility, this tree will grow at a much slower rate than in more moist, cooler climate areas.
Douglas fir’s reliability in a multitude of environmental conditions has led many countries and timber companies in Europe to plant vast stands of this tree. The ethical and environmental impacts of this are vast and are best saved for another time. If you’re curious about this topic I encourage you to read The Hidden Life of Trees.
Health Benefits
The oil of Pseudotsuga menziesii contains compounds with high anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. A study found that these compounds may contain immunity-affecting properties.
Although this study claims more research is needed to fully understand the effects of this tree’s oil, it did find that the compounds like beta-pinene and others have beneficial effects on adverse health processes.
I like to use the needles of Pseudotsuga menziesii in my tea as it adds a bright and piney flavor to it. This is but one way of many that you can use Douglas fir needles. Some other ways you can try are in a salt mix, infused into vinegar, or in a liqueur left to steep with needles and spices.
Needle Tea Recipe
Without further ado, here’s my Douglas fir needle tea recipe! I like to add fresh sweet violets (Viola odorata) to this tea as it adds a sweet spring taste.
Douglas fir needle tea recipe
Conclusion
The Douglas fir is an amazing tree that has many valuable uses, both for humans and the environment. It's a fascinating plant to learn about and forage from, but let's not forget the importance of preserving it and its natural habitats. By appreciating and respecting this tree, we can ensure its survival for future generations to enjoy and benefit from.
I hope this guide has helped you learn more about the incredible Pseudotsuga menziesii. If you’d like to learn about other cool plants, visit here. Thank you, and happy growing!
Sources
Foret, Rosalee De La, and Emily Han. Wild Remedies : How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. Carlsbad, California, Hay House, Inc, 2020.
Kathleen Norris Brenzel, and Sunset Books. Western Garden Book. Oxmoor House, 1 Feb. 2007.
Kruckeberg, Arthur R, and Linda Chalker-Scott. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, University Of Washington Press, 2019.
All photos taken by Jerad Bryant unless stated otherwise.
