Douglas-fir | Pseudotsuga menziesii

Family (English) Pine
Family (botanic) Pinaceae
Planting site Residential and parks
Tree or plant type Tree
Foliage Evergreen (foliage year-round)
Native locale North America
Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
Mature height 40-80 feet
Mature width 12-20 feet
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago)
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Drought tolerance Sensitive
Other tolerances Alkaline soil, Road salt
Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
Shape or form Pyramidal
Growth rate Moderate, Slow
Transplants well Yes
Wildlife Birds, Mammals
Has cultivars Yes

More Information

Size and Form

A broadly conical to narrow, pyramidal evergreen tree which has open, tiered branches that are slightly pendulous. It grows 40 to 80 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide in landscape situations. In its native habitat it can reach 150 feet high. Excellent specimen plant or used en masse to create screening.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

It is native to western North America from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific northwest.

Bark Description

The mature bark is thick and fissured and has a reddish-brown coloration.

Leaf Description

Leaves are evergreen needles, spirally arranged on branches or two-ranked. Blue-green to silvery gray-green, shiny needles have two white bands on underside. Needles smell of camphor when crushed.