featured tree

Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga Menziesii Jeri Chase, ODF Public Affairs Specialist

It is Oregon's state tree and best-known conifer. It ranges west of the Cascade Mountains – although it can be found east of those mountains growing among other kinds of trees. It is not a “true fir” – it has the honor of its own genus and actually belongs to the pine family.

from the editor:

“Oregon’s Native Trees” is a new feature in Forests for Oregon. If you would like to suggest a tree to feature in upcoming issues, just let us know.

26 Forests for Oregon – Winter 2007

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C ourtesy Dave Pow

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A young forest full of this tree’s nurseries lead the nation in Christmas new-green growth symbolizes renewal. tree production. The most ambitious re-planting project The dense wood is stiff and durable, ever undertaken produced a “sea of rumored to be stronger than cement. It green” – more than 72 million of this grows straight and tall – taller than 250 tree’s seedlings planted by Oregonians feet and larger than 10 feet in diameter. over 50 years ago creating the Tillamook The “Brummet Fir” state champion State Forest. An older forest of these grows in southern Oregon – 329 feet tall trees seems peaceful – although people and 36 feet in circumference. unaccustomed to them may describe Native Americans lived among these them as spooky and claustrophobic. trees for centuries and used the wood for And a forest of these trees in all ages fuel and to build homes, boiled the bark seems vibrant and exciting, and is full of to heal infections, and made tea from life – from the Douglas Squirrel to the the new growth. Many of Oregon’s tribes The dense wood is legendary Sasquatch. now manage their own forestlands, and very stiff and durable, Our state was built with this tree the revenues enable them to offer much- –families were nurtured by it for needed services to their people. making it one of the generations. Many still are. It is crucial Oregon’s other state forests are also most important and to our economy. In 2004, over 417 filled with these trees – the Clatsop, valuable timber trees million board feet of this softwood was Santiam, Elliott – even some in the in the world. harvested in western Oregon, providing southwest corner of the Sun Pass. Forests jobs and every-day products we all use, of these trees are some of the most including the highest quality lumber popular recreation areas in the state. – which Oregon leads the country in It is the Douglas-fir, and there is no producing. It is also the world’s most other tree like it. Visit one of Oregon’s photo courtesy Bill Cook, popular Christmas tree – and Oregon’s forests today and find out why. Michigan State University, www.forestryimages.com

Winter 2007 – Forests for Oregon 27