Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Pacific Northwest of North America, extending down the Rocky Mountains and into parts of California and British Columbia.
- Hardness
- 660 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Moderately Durable, with moderate resistance to rot and fungal decay when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain with distinct flat-sawn cathedral patterns and prominent, contrasting growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Light reddish-brown to yellowish-orange heartwood with a paler, yellowish-white sapwood. Darkens slightly to a warm amber patina with exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
660 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Moderately Durable, with moderate resistance to rot and fungal decay when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 3.00 to 6.00 USD per board foot depending on grade and dimensions.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be relatively recently milled lumber, likely under 5 to 10 years old based on surface freshness and lack of deep oxidation patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and generally of least concern on the IUCN Red List. Widely available from sustainable tree farms and managed forests.
Common Uses
Construction framing, plywood, exterior decking, flooring, and heavy timber framing.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America, extending down the Rocky Mountains and into parts of California and British Columbia.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though the strong contrast in density between earlywood and latewood can sometimes cause tearout during planing or routing if blades are not sharp.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and clear finishes (such as polyurethane, lacquer, or penetrating oils) well, though a pre-stain wood conditioner may be needed to achieve an even color on the porous earlywood.
Notable Features
High strength-to-weight ratio, distinct pine-like or resinous scent, prominent alternating bands of earlywood and latewood.
