Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Pacific Northwest and Western North America
- Hardness
- 660 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable with fair resistance to rot and weathering, but vulnerable to insect attack
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Grain Pattern
Straight, flat-sawn with prominent growth rings and distinct earlywood to latewood transition
Color & Appearance
Light reddish-brown heartwood with a lighter yellowish-sapwood, typical moderate natural luster, darkens slightly to a warm amber with age and UV exposure
Hardness (Janka)
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable with fair resistance to rot and weathering, but vulnerable to insect attack
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated recently milled to several years old based on clean, rough-cut surface texture and minimal oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed, IUCN Least Concern, widely available with strong sustainable forestry and plantation management
Common Uses
Construction framing, plywood, flooring, heavy timber construction, doors, window sashes, and boat building
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest and Western North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the strong contrast in density between earlywood and latewood can occasionally cause splintering or uneven planing if blades are not sharp
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, varnishes, and polyurethane very well, though pre-conditioning may be required for even stain absorption on the softer earlywood rings
Notable Features
Distinctive resin canals, characteristic sweet resiny scent when freshly cut, high strength-to-weight ratio
