Douglas fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. It grows 30–60 m (98–197 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Douglas fir in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Douglas fir at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 m (98–197 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Pacific Northwest and the Rockies |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Douglas fir toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Douglas fir
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Douglas fir in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Butchart Gardens (3 plants)
Questions about Douglas fir
- How far apart should I plant Douglas fir?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Douglas fir need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Douglas fir need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Douglas fir?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- Is Douglas fir poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Douglas fir?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Douglas fir. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Cones with three-pointed bracts like mouse tails; thick corky fire-resistant bark. The forest round Butchart's quarry.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis