Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with distinct, abrupt transition between light-colored earlywood and darker reddish-brown latewood. Flat-sawn orientation visible on the end grain, showing wide, prominent growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a light orangey-brown to a deep reddish-brown. Sapwood is yellowish-white. The visible end grain shows a warm pinkish-red hue with darker, defined growth bands; it darkens and reddens with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable regarding decay resistance; susceptible to insect attack. Strongest and stiffest of common softwoods for its weight class.
Common Uses
Heavy structural construction, framing, glulam beams, flooring, veneer, and door/window components.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$1.50 - $4.00 per board foot depending on grade (Vertical Grain/Clear grades are more expensive).
Wood Age Estimate
The sample itself appears to be modern dimensional lumber (roughly 2-5 years since harvest), but the wide growth rings suggest it was harvested from a relatively fast-growing tree, possibly 30-50 years old at harvest.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN), widely available as FSC certified, and extensively managed in sustainable commercial timber plantations.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though latewood/earlywood density differences can cause uneven sanding. Holds nails and screws well; glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous, sweet scent when cut. Very high strength-to-weight ratio. The distinct reddish latewood rings are a primary diagnostic feature.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for interior use; penetrating oils or stains specifically formulated for softwoods. Responds well to sanding but may require a wood conditioner to prevent blotching.
Identification Confidence
High; the end grain shows the classic abrupt earlywood-to-latewood transition, characteristic reddish-brown color, and 4x4 dimensional profile typical for Douglas Fir structural lumber.