Douglas Fir Is The Official State Tree Of Oregon. Oregon Adopted the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) as the official Oregon State Tree in 1939. Douglas-fir is the most common tree in Oregon and it is also the most important conifer in the state because of its ecological and economic significance. Named after a Scottish botanist who traveled through Oregon in the 1820s, the National Tree Of Oregon Douglas fir can grow to a height of 325 feet and have a 15-foot diameter trunk.
The timber from Oregon State Tree Douglas firs is said to be stronger than concrete. The Douglas-fir tree is found from northern British Columbia, south to central California through the North Coast Ranges and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, and south to northeastern Mexico. State Tree Of Oregon Douglas-firs can reach prodigious size. The Oregon Champion Coast Douglas-fir grows on the Bureau of Land Management land in Coos County. It is 11.6 feet in diameter and 329 feet tall.
The National Tree Of Oregon Douglas fir’s soft, fragrant, dark to blue-green needles have made it one of the most popular Christmas trees all over the United States – they are even shipped to Hawaii. Douglas fir seeds and foliage are an important source of food and cover for many animals, including songbirds, rabbits, and elk. It is also an important source of lumber for wood products from plywood to cabinets. The three masts on the restored “Old Ironsides” (the USS Constitution) are made from Douglas Fir.
As a versatile timber tree, State Tree Of Oregon Douglas-fir has few rivals. No tree in the world produces more wood products for human use like Douglas-fir. Douglas-fir wood is strong, relatively dense wood is used to produce large timber beams, boards, railroad ties, plywood-veneer.
Basic Facts About The Douglas-Fir Tree
- The lifespan of a Douglas-Fir Tree is about 500 to 1,000 years.
- The Douglas-Fir is also known as the Douglas Spruce or the Oregon Pine tree.
- The National Tree Of Oregon fir tree cones are softer than other coniferous trees and come apart at the end of the season to spread their seeds. They also grow upwards instead of hanging down.
- Because of the massive size of the Douglas-fir tree, the wood or lumber from the tree is highly valued. The douglas-fir tree is used for lumber and plywood and also makes excellent wood fuel.