[Conifers of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington]

Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii

Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia

Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) and Western Hemlock: Tsuga heterophylla

Douglas fir observed at left along the Penny Ridge Trail (access road) on Washington Department of Natural Resources lands west of BZ Corner, WA.......June 10, 2021. The photo at right shows a tall douglas fir with a western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) to its left, Eightmile Loop Trail #496 at the east side of Fivemile Butte, Mt. Hood National Forest......October 15, 2021.

Cone bracts of Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

The photo at left shows the unique, 3-toothed bracts that are longer than the underlying scale. Photographed along Road #23 at the Mt. Adams Viewpoint about one-half mile south of the intersection of Rd #8810.........September 25, 2005. The photos at center and right show large old growth Douglas firs along the Lewis River Trail #31 downstream of Bolt Camp Shelter, Gifford Pinchot National Forest.......June 18, 2024.In the image at right, note the hiker for a size comparison as well as the roots and trunk of a western hemlock growing from the base of the Douglas fir.

Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

The photo above shows the upper portion of a Douglas fir as seen along the upper section of the Island Springs Trail #66 on the eastern slopes of Mt. Adams..........August 25, 2005. Note the numerous cones which dangle from the ends of the many side branches.

Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pinus taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

Fairly good size douglas fir as seen along the Toutle Trail about one-half mile uphill to the east of McBride Lake, Mt. St. Helens National Monument.........September 13, 2015.

Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia) - Bark of Coast Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Synonyms: Abies mucronata, Abies taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii, Pseudotsuga mucronata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia)

These two photos show a view upwards along the trunk of a large douglas fir as seen along the Island Spring Trail #66. Note the massive branches which are about 20 feet and more off the ground as well as the deeply furrowed, thick bark.
Paul Slichter