Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii • Softwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with a medium to coarse texture. This vertical-grain (radial) cut shows tight, even growth rings with a distinct contrast between light earlywood and darker latewood bands.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to a reddish-orange hue; sapwood is a yellowish-white. The wood tends to darken and become more orange-red with exposure to UV light over time.
Hardness Rating
660 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft classification)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable; offers some resistance to decay but is susceptible to insect attack. Strong for its weight but not ideal for direct ground contact without treatment.
Common Uses
Heavy structural lumber, glue-laminated beams (glulam), flooring, fine cabinetry, veneer, and trim work. This specific clear, vertical-grain cut is often used for window frames and doors.
Geographic Origin
Western North America (Pacific Northwest, from British Columbia to California and into the Rocky Mountains)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot for Clear Vertical Grain (CVG) grade
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled (likely within 1-2 years) based on the pale, freshly-surfaced color and lack of significant oxidation or darkening
Sustainability Status
Abundant and widely available. Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List. FSC certification is common for this species.
Workability
Generally works well with both hand and machine tools, though the difference in hardness between earlywood and latewood can cause 'washboarding' or uneven sanding. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctive resinous, sweet scent when cut. Known for having one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among softwoods. Can cause splinters that are notoriously brittle.
Finish Recommendations
Clear polyurethane or lacquer to preserve color; penetrating oils like tung or linseed oil. A sanding sealer is recommended to prevent uneven absorption across growth rings.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the reddish-orange hue, the very distinct and sharp transition between earlywood and latewood, and the linear vertical grain is characteristic of high-grade Douglas Fir.