How fast does it grow?

It grows moderately fast, often adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year in good conditions.

Can I grow this in a small yard?

It is generally too large for small residential gardens and is better suited for large landscapes.

Plant guide

Douglas fir.

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pronounced soo-doh-TSOO-guh men-ZEE-zee-eye

Also known as Dougie, Douglas Fir, Douglas spruce, Douglas-fir, Dugie, North American Douglas-fir, Oregon Pine, Oregon-pine

Douglas-fir — Photo by Sandy Wolkenberg (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This iconic evergreen is a staple of the Pacific Northwest landscape. It is a massive conifer that provides excellent shelter for local wildlife. You will find it thrives best in large outdoor spaces where it has room to stretch its branches.

Another photo of Douglas fir — Photo by Norma Piedra (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Conifer
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 200 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 7
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of space for its eventual size. Keep an eye out for needle drop or yellowing which might suggest poor drainage. It is quite hardy once established in the ground.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years until the root system is well established.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support healthy growth.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged branches in late winter while the tree is dormant.
Repotting: This tree is not suitable for container growth long term.
Soil: Well drained acidic soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.0
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived, often 500 plus years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: The plant is generally non toxic, though ingestion of large quantities of needles may cause mild digestive upset.
Children: The sharp needles can poke small children, so keep them away from low hanging branches.
Contact allergens: Handling the needles may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a common airborne allergen during the spring release period.
Edibility: The needles are sometimes used for tea, but ensure you have correctly identified the species as some conifers are toxic.

How to identify it

Soft needles with two white underside bands
Cones have distinct three pointed bracts
Dark gray bark with deep fissures
Pyramidal shape when young

Height: 20 to 70m
Spread: 6 to 10m
Leaves: dark green, blue green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, red, 1 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring, Autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is required as it is fully hardy in its native range.
In containers: It is not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Seed propagation

Collect mature cones in autumn.
Dry cones to release the seeds.
Cold stratify seeds for 30 to 60 days before sowing in spring.

Plant shade tolerant shrubs underneath to take advantage of the dappled light provided by the canopy.

Grows well with

Western Red Cedar · They often grow together in native forest ecosystems.
Salal · This shrub thrives in the acidic soil conditions found beneath these trees.

Similar species

Western Hemlock · It shares a similar native range and forest habitat.

Science

Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pseudotsuga
Order: Pinales
Class: Pinopsida
Native range: Western North America
Conservation: This species is widely distributed and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in cool, moist climates and often dominates forests by outcompeting other species for light.

Value to wildlife: nesting site, seed source for birds, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees
Uses: timber production, ornamental specimen, windbreak, christmas tree

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It grows moderately fast, often adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year in good conditions.
Can I grow this in a small yard?: It is generally too large for small residential gardens and is better suited for large landscapes.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pseudotsuga means false hemlock, while the species epithet honors the Scottish botanist Archibald Menzies.

Good to know

It is one of the tallest tree species in the world.
The cones have unique three pointed bracts sticking out from under the scales.
It is the state tree of Oregon.
The wood is highly valued for construction due to its strength.
It can live for over 500 years in ideal conditions.

Keep your douglas fir growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.