Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Western North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions.
- Hardness
- 660 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable; offers fair resistance to decay, though heartwood is more resistant than sapwood and vulnerable to certain wood-boring insects if untreated.
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with distinct vertical growth rings visible on the quarter-sawn edge and cathedral grain patterns visible on the flat-sawn face, featuring small tight knots.
Color & Appearance
Light brown to pale yellowish-reddish color with a sharp contrast between the lighter earlywood and darker latewood bands; darkens slightly to a golden-brown over time with exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable; offers fair resistance to decay, though heartwood is more resistant than sapwood and vulnerable to certain wood-boring insects if untreated.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Moderate, typically ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per board foot depending on grade and dimensions.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be relatively recently milled construction-grade lumber, likely less than 5 to 10 years old based on the clean surface and lack of heavy oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and generally considered of least concern by the IUCN; widely available through sustainable forestry initiatives (FSC and SFI).
Common Uses
Construction and framing, plywood, flooring, doors, window frames, heavy timber construction, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Western North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though the significant hardness difference between earlywood and latewood can occasionally cause uneven planing or sanding if tools are not sharp.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts stains, varnishes, and polyurethanes well; conditioning may be required for uniform stain absorption due to density variations between earlywood and latewood.
Notable Features
Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high stiffness, characteristic resiny scent when freshly cut, and pronounced contrast in annual growth rings.
