Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii · Softwood
- Type
- Softwood
- Origin
- Pacific Northwest of North America (Western United States and Canada)
- Hardness
- 710 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft)
- Durability
- Slightly Durable to Moderately Durable; moderate resistance to rot, though susceptible to insect attack if untreated outdoors.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with strong vertical, tight growth rings (vertical grain / quarter-sawn appearance). Prominent transition between earlywood and latewood bands.
Color & Appearance
Warm reddish-orange to golden brown heartwood with light yellowish pale sapwood along the upper rail. Darkens with exposure to light and age to a deeper reddish-brown.
Hardness (Janka)
710 lbf (Soft to Medium-Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable to Moderately Durable; moderate resistance to rot, though susceptible to insect attack if untreated outdoors.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot for old-growth / vertical grain Douglas Fir
- Wood Age Estimate
- 50 to 100+ years old (likely antique/vintage architectural element based on tight growth ring density typical of old-growth timber, paint residue from stripping, and construction style).
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN); widely managed and sustainably harvested, FSC certified sources available, though old-growth timber is protected and largely available through reclaimed sources.
Common Uses
Sash windows, doors, interior trim, joinery, structural framing, exterior millwork, plywood, and reclaimed architectural elements.
Geographic Origin
Pacific Northwest of North America (Western United States and Canada)
Workability
Works easily with machine and hand tools; can split easily along straight grain lines or tear out at latewood/earlywood transitions; holds screws and nails well.
Finish Recommendations
Scrapes and sands smooth; responds well to wiping stains, shellac, penetrating oils, or clear varnish. Pre-stain conditioner recommended to prevent blotching.
Notable Features
Distinct resinous, sweet pine-like scent when freshly cut or sanded; pronounced grain contrast due to dense dark latewood bands.
