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

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Douglas-Fir Pseudotsuga Menziesii Jeri Chase, ODF Public Affairs Specialist 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. Forests for Oregon – Winter 007 m o c . s e g a m i y F r t D s e O r , o f e . s a w h w C w i S , e r e e c J e i v y d r l e b i n S to g t o s h d re p e o l ta F ai il A et p SD d ho , U one to c ell C ourtesy Dave Pow m o c . s e g F a D m i O y , r e t s s a e r h o f C . i w r e w J B w y a , b e r c o k i t v o d r h e p e S ta t il il es ta or e ph F d ot A ch o c SD ran our l, U B tesy Dave Powel 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 7 million of this grows straight and tall – taller than 0 tree’s seedlings planted by Oregonians feet and larger than 10 feet in diameter. over 0 years ago creating the Tillamook The “Brummet Fir” state champion State Forest. An older forest of these grows in southern Oregon – 9 feet tall trees seems peaceful – although people and 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 00, over 17 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 007 – Forests for Oregon 7.
Recommended publications
  • Psme 46 Douglas-Fir-Incense
    PSME 46 DOUGLAS-FIR-INCENSE-CEDAR/PIPER'S OREGONGRAPE Pseudotsuga menziesii-Calocedrus decurrens/Berberis piperiana PSME-CADE27/BEPI2 (N=18; FS=18) Distribution. This Association occurs on the Applegate, Ashland, and Prospect Ranger Districts, Rogue River National Forest, and the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts, Umpqua National Forest. It may also occur on the Butte Falls Ranger District, Rogue River National Forest and adjacent Bureau of Land Management lands. Distinguishing Characteristics. This is a drier, cooler Douglas-fir association. White fir is frequently present, but with relatively low covers. Piper's Oregongrape and poison oak, dry site indicators, are also frequently present. Soils. Parent material is mostly schist, welded tuff, and basalt, with some andesite, diorite, and amphibolite. Average surface rock cover is 8 percent, with 8 percent gravel. Soils are generally deep, but may be moderately deep, with an average depth of greater than 40 inches. PSME 47 Environment. Elevation averages 3000 feet. Aspects vary. Slope averages 35 percent and ranges between 12 and 62 percent. Slope position ranges from the upper one-third of the slope down to the lower one-third of the slope. This Association may also occur on benches and narrow flats. Vegetation Composition and Structure. Total species richness is high for the Series, averaging 44 percent. The overstory is dominated by Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, with sugar pine and incense-cedar common associates. Douglas-fir dominates the understory. Incense-cedar, white fir, and Pacific madrone frequently occur, generally with covers greater than 5 percent. Sugar pine is common. Frequently occurring shrubs include Piper's Oregongrape, baldhip rose, poison oak, creeping snowberry, and Pacific blackberry.
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  • Douglasfirdouglasfirfacts About
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  • End Jointing of Laminated Veneer Lumber for Structural Use
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  • Current U.S. Forest Data and Maps
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  • Paper Birch and Fireweed Stand Establishment Decision Aids
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  • Douglas-Fir Beetle
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  • Exterior Species Douglas Fir Sapele True Or Genuine Mahogany Teak Wood Species
    Wood Species Exterior Species There are over 100,000 species of wood. Many are indigenous to specific regions while others are found throughout the globe. The one element common to all wood is that every species is comprised of 60% cellulose and 28% lignin. The other 12% is made up of individual consistencies and colors. These attributes determine the best use and application for the lumber produced from a particular tree. Quantum has developed specific guidelines designating wood for interior and exterior applications. With few exceptions, the exterior woods that Quantum recommends are hardwoods with the ability to accept finishes, resist moisture, and exhibit other characteristics that promote durability. Structural integrity begins with wood strength, a combination of density (measured by specific gravity), compressive strength, bending strength, stiffness and hardness. The list below reflects the more popular species used for exterior applications. Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii – First documented on Vancouver Island in 1791. Douglas Fir is one of the most important woods used in construction. Although a softwood, it is known for its stiffness and strength. Quantum uses only Clear Vertical Grain regardless of finish or application. CVG provides the best stability, most consistent grain, color and long term durability. True or Genuine Swietenia macrophylla – Grown in Southern Mexico to central South America. Much of the Mahogany species referred to as Genuine Mahogany are currently plantation grown in select regions of the world. Mahogany coloring varies from pinkish brown to darker reddish brown that tends to darken with age. Excellent stability and beautiful grain. Sapele Entandrophragma cylindricum - From Central and West Africa.
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  • The Identification of Douglas-Fir Wood
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE • FOREST SERVICE • FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY • MADISON 5 WIS May 1963 FPL-010 1 THE IDENTIFICATION OF DOUGLAS-FIR WOOD Douglas-fir is one of the largest, most abundant and widely distributed species of trees native to North America, and next to the southern yellow pines, it is cut in the greatest quantities of any wood of commercial importance. It be- longs to the coniferous family and is, therefore, a softwood. Other names for Douglas -fir are red fir, yellow fir, Oregon pine, Puget Sound pine, red pine, red spruce, and Douglas spruce. Its botanical name is Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. Although Douglas-fir is distinctly a western species, it also is used in many parts of the Middle West and East. It is used for structural timbers, railway ties, railway cars, rough and finish lumber, flooring, sash and doors, furniture, lath, cooperage, tanks, conduits, paving blocks, boxes, agricultural implements, and numerous other articles. The principal softwoods used for the same purposes are the southern yellow pines, Norway pine, eastern hemlock, western hemlock, Sitka spruce, ponderosa pine, western larch, and some of the balsam firs (principally white fir, lowland white fir, noble fir, and silver fir--all western species). As there is a considerable range in the price and suitability of these various woods for various purposes, it is important to be able to distinguish the wood of Douglas -fir from the others. Douglas-fir is a resinous wood, with a characteristic sweetish odor.. Exuda- tions of resin on end and side surfaces and pitch pockets are common.
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  • Attachment Tachment 4
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