Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Pacific Northwest of North America and western mountainous regions.
- Hardness
- 660 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable, with fair resistance to rot and weathering, though susceptible to insect attack if left untreated.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a distinct cathedral pattern on the flat-sawn face, showing clear growth rings visible on the end grain.
Color & Appearance
Light reddish-brown to yellowish-orange heartwood with a paler yellowish sapwood, possessing moderate natural luster and darkening to a warm amber over time with light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable, with fair resistance to rot and weathering, though susceptible to insect attack if left untreated.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $2.00 to $4.00 per board foot for standard construction or select grades.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled lumber, estimated to be less than 5 years old based on fresh rough-sawn surface texture and minimal surface oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed, IUCN Least Concern. Widely available and sustainably managed in tree farms and commercial forests in North America.
Common Uses
Construction framing, structural plywood, flooring, heavy timber framing, doors, and window sashes.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America and western mountainous regions.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can splinter or tear out if dull blades are used on the transition between earlywood and latewood.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well, including polyurethane, varnish, and penetrating oils; conditioning may help achieve a more even stain on the disparate earlywood and latewood bands.
Notable Features
High strength-to-weight ratio, distinct contrast between hard latewood and soft earlywood rings, and a subtle fresh resinous scent.
