Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Very straight, tight vertical grain (quarter-sawn/rift-sawn). Characterized by high-contrast latewood bands and uniform spacing between growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a light reddish-brown to orange-yellow. This sample shows a warm, aged orange tone (patina). Sapwood is lighter, usually yellowish-white. It darkens significantly with UV exposure over time.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; good resistance to decay but susceptible to insect attack if left untreated in ground contact.
Common Uses
Structural framing, flooring, cabinetry, interior trim, boat building, and heavy construction (beams/posts). Often used in tongue-and-groove applications like the sample shown.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest to British Columbia).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot for high-quality, vertical-grain, old-growth clears.
Wood Age Estimate
Old-growth timber based on the ring density; the board itself appears to be several decades old (20-50 years) based on surface oxidation and patina.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Widely available with FSC certification; old-growth timber is highly regulated and increasingly rare.
Workability
Generally works well with machine tools, though latewood bands are much harder than earlywood, which can cause 'washboarding' during sanding or planing if blades are dull. Easy to glue and finish.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous/sweet scent when cut. Very high strength-to-weight ratio for a softwood. Excellent dimensional stability in vertical grain cuts.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to oil-based polyurethanes, shellac, and penetrating oils. Requires a wood conditioner if staining to prevent blotchiness due to varying density of growth rings.
Identification Confidence
High. The combination of tight vertical grain, high-contrast reddish latewood, and the tongue-and-groove profile is characteristic of high-grade Douglas Fir flooring/beadboard.