Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Strong, vertical straight grain (quartersawn/rift-sawn orientation) with prominent, sharp transitions between light-colored earlywood and darker, denser latewood bands.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light light-yellowish brown to a deeper reddish-brown. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-white. It tends to darken or redden significantly over time with exposure to UV light.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to decay but is susceptible to insect attack without treatment.
Common Uses
Heavy structural construction (beams, glulams), high-end joinery, flooring, veneers, and boat building due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest through the Rocky Mountains).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $9.00 per board foot depending on grade (Vertical Grain/Clear being more expensive).
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced (less than 1 year). The light color and lack of graying or heavy oxidation suggest a contemporary sample.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available with FSC certification and managed through extensive sustainable forestry practices.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though the dramatic difference in hardness between earlywood and latewood can cause 'washboarding' or uneven sanding if care isn't taken.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous/sweet scent when freshly cut. Excellent stiffness and strength. It has the highest modulus of elasticity of any North American softwood.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains reasonably well, but a wood conditioner is recommended to prevent blotching. Film-forming finishes like polyurethane or lacquer highlight its strong vertical grain lines.
Identification Confidence
High; the tight, uniform vertical growth rings and the specific contrast between the resinous latewood and earlywood are textbook indicators of high-grade Douglas Fir.