Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Predominantly straight grain with prominent, tight growth rings; rift-sawn to quarter-sawn orientation showing distinct vertical grain (VG) with clear delineation between earlywood and latewood.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light reddish-brown to orange-brown. Sapwood is a lighter yellowish-white. The color tends to darken and redden significantly with age and light exposure. Features a medium luster.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers moderate resistance to rot and decay but is susceptible to insect attack. Strongest/stiffest softwood for its weight.
Common Uses
Veneer, plywood, structural timbers, flooring, trims, cabinetry, and heavy construction (bridges/piers).
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest through the Rocky Mountains).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot for high-quality vertical grain (VG) clear grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears modern with low oxidation, likely harvested and milled within the last 5-10 years based on the fresh appearance of the latewood bands.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available as FSC certified and considered highly sustainable due to extensive replanting.
Workability
General ease with machine tools, though it can be prone to splintering and tearout during planing. It holds nails and screws well and glues easily, though some resins can interfere with finishing.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when worked. Known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and prominent contrast between light earlywood and dark latewood growth rings.
Finish Recommendations
Takes clear coats, lacquer, and polyurethane well. Sealers are recommended if staining due to the uneven density between growth rings which can cause blotchiness.
Identification Confidence
High; the tight vertical grain, specific reddish hue, and the characteristic transition from earlywood to dense latewood shown on the end-grain are diagnostic of Douglas Fir.