Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to wavy grain with prominent, tight growth rings. The sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern on the bottom left and straight vertical grain on the right side.
Color Description
Heartwood is typically a light reddish-brown to orange-brown. The sample exhibits a weathered, oxidized tan-to-greyish surface with darker latewood bands. Ages to a deeper red or silvery gray if left unfinished outdoors.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers moderate resistance to decay but is susceptible to insect attack. Good resistance to weathering in structural forms.
Common Uses
Heavy structural lumber, home construction, framing, flooring, veneer, and boat building.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.00 - $6.00 per board foot (reclaimed or clear vertical grain may be higher)
Wood Age Estimate
20-40 years. The oxidation of the surface, presence of saw dust, and the depth of the patina suggest reclaimed structural timber rather than fresh-cut stock.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and harvested from managed forests. Also available as FSC certified.
Workability
Generally easy to work with machine tools, but can be prone to splintering and tearout during planing if tools are not sharp. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous scent when cut. Known for the highest strength-to-weight ratio among North American softwoods. High resin content can cause pitch pockets.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or clear polyurethanes work best to highlight the grain. Requires sanding to remove surface oxidation before finishing.
Identification Confidence
High. The high contrast between the earlywood and latewood (prominent dark lines), the specific orange-brown hue, and the growth ring density are classic indicators of Douglas Fir.