Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, very tight, and uniform vertical grain. As a quarter-sawn (vertical grain) piece, it displays prominent and consistent growth rings with a high density of latewood lines.
Color Description
Light brown to reddish-brown heartwood with a distinct yellow-orange hue. Sapwood is yellowish-white. The color tends to darken and become more reddish with prolonged light exposure.
Hardness Rating
710 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft range)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers moderate resistance to decay but is susceptible to insect attack. Stronger and more durable than many other commercial softwoods.
Common Uses
Structural framing, heavy timbers, flooring, trim, doors, windows, boat building, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot for high-grade Vertical Grain (VG) clear stock.
Wood Age Estimate
The wood appears to be from 'Old Growth' timber due to the extremely tight ring density, though the cut itself looks relatively modern (modern milling marks).
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed; IUCN status: Least Concern. Widely available as FSC certified; widely managed in plantations.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It can be prone to splintering and tearout during machining. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can exhibit uneven staining without a sealer.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous, sweet scent when worked. Known for one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among softwoods. Contains natural resins that can occasionaly bleed through finishes.
Finish Recommendations
Clear polyurethane or lacquer to highlight the grain; penetrating oils for a natural look. A pre-stain wood conditioner is recommended if using dark stains to prevent blotching.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the reddish-gold hue, the specific latewood/earlywood transition, and the extremely tight vertical grain is characteristic of high-grade Douglas Fir.