Douglas Fir - What You Didn't Know About It

In short: Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a fast-growing evergreen conifer of the pine family that grows about three times faster than spruce. In the wild it reaches up to 100 m, in the Czech Republic around 40 m. It needs deep, nutritious loamy soil, light shade when young and a sunny spot later, and dislikes waterlogging.

Douglas Fir - What You Didn't Know About It

The trend of conifers in the garden continues. Haven't you chosen the annual Summer Cypress or the decorative, long-lived, deciduous Dawn Redwood? Take a look at the Douglas Fir. Douglas Fir (lat. Pseudotsuga menziesii) - is a conifer from the genus Pseudotsuga, which has been cultivated in Europe since 1827, when it was imported from America to Scotland (by Scottish botanist Douglas, after whom it is named), from where it was quickly distributed throughout Europe. Although the Douglas Fir is most often compared to spruce and fir, it belongs to the pine family (lat. Pinaceae). Originally, the Douglas Fir was widespread in America, from North America, through Canada, to California. We can find it in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in the Sierra Nevada, and the Klamath Mountains. The Douglas Fir is often referred to as the "king of the forests of the Pacific coast of the USA". The Douglas Fir thrives in lowlands, on the coast, and in mountains up to about 1800 m above sea level. Douglas Fir is an evergreen tree. It is a conifer similar to firs and spruces. However, it has a more delicate appearance. It belongs among fast-growing conifers. It grows 3 times faster than spruce. The Douglas Fir is the second tallest tree in the world after the Coast Redwood. It has a straight, strong trunk and almost horizontally growing branches that grow in a softly built, conical, symmetrical crown.

Douglas Fir - How to Recognize It

Trees have a long taproot root, which is richly branched in shallow soil. Despite their height, the trees are firmly anchored in the soil and do not suffer from windthrow. The trunk of the Douglas Fir is significantly decorative. In the tree's youth, it is covered with smooth, greenish-gray bark with resinous blisters. In the tree's old age, the bark changes to reddish-brown, fissured bark that has corky veins. These corky ingrowths in the bark help trees survive forest fires. The Douglas Fir is a tree that is almost impossible to ignite. We can further recognize the Douglas Fir by the specific scent of the needles. When crushed in your hand, they have a pleasant lemon scent. These needles last on the branch for about 4-8 years. In shade, the needles grow in two rows. In a sunny location, the needles are flattened, soft, up to 3.5 cm long. Douglas Fir cones are solid and do not disintegrate. They hang downward and have a slender shape. They consist of three-pointed bracts that overlap. Male conelets are yellowish-red, growing on the underside of shoots, and female conelets are brownish-red, 4-7 cm long, and develop into cones hanging downward. The seeds in the cone are about 6 mm large, shiny, with a long wing. Cones appear on the tree after approximately 30 years.

Douglas Fir - Growing

Douglas fir benefits from moderate shade when planting, which helps young trees thrive. In later years, a sunny location is more suitable. Douglas fir is essentially a coastal tree, so it prefers higher air humidity. It may happen that in our conditions during winter months, the tree suffers frost damage, but it regenerates very well. It also regenerates very well after being browsed by wildlife. Unlike firs and spruces, it doesn't mind longer periods of drought. However, it cannot tolerate waterlogging. Douglas fir thrives best in nutritious, deep, loamy soil. It also prospers in heavier soils or gravelly ones. If you plant Douglas fir in clay soil, or heavy and nutrient-poor soil, it may grow poorly and become stunted.

Douglas fir seeds are sown in spring directly into the bed. Douglas fir can also be grown for shaping into bonsai or as a conifer in a pot. Shape it only in spring, when the branches are full of sap and there's no risk of breaking. Wrap the branches with wire and position them horizontally perpendicular to the tree trunk. Douglas fir seeds should be stratified before planting for 14 days in cold conditions (refrigerator) at a temperature of 3-5°C.

Douglas fir tolerates transplanting well even at a more advanced age, compared to other conifers. On the other hand, Douglas fir does not benefit from rejuvenation and branch pruning. Only prune in extreme cases.

Douglas Fir - Interesting Facts

Douglas fir is economically the most important American tree species. Therefore, Douglas fir is the most useful imported tree species to Europe and the Czech Republic. In our forests, it covers 3,800 hectares, which represents 0.1% of growing coniferous trees. Douglas fir contains very valuable heartwood. It is processed in the furniture industry, also for the production of wooden floors, terraces and cladding boards. It has a very decorative and tasteful wood grain. Its properties are most similar to larch wood.

Douglas fir is suitable for planting in parks, as a solitary tree, or in group plantings. It is suitable for urban, drier environments. It is more adaptable than spruces and firs, but also more spreading. Today, it is also an important forestry and horticultural tree species.

Douglas fir essential oils are used in aromatherapy. They are also used in the production of dyes and fertilizers. Parts of Douglas fir can be used as a substitute for tea or coffee, also as a spice. The decoction is used against certain diseases such as arthritis, renal asthenia, it is suitable for disinfection and mouthwash, and has antibacterial effects.

The oldest felled tree had 1,400 growth rings. In the wild, the Douglas Fir grows up to 100 m tall. In the Czech Republic, the Douglas Fir reaches heights of 40 m. The oldest Czech Douglas Fir is 50 m tall and 160 years old. If you enjoy hiking, you can visit the oldest planted Douglas Firs in Grandmother's Valley, where they grow near the Red Bridge, dating back to approximately 1870. They can also be found in the castle park at Sychrov, in Chudenický Park, and in the wild - in Baldek Forest.

Author: Hana Michalíková