Plants of the Forest
Common Name:	Douglas-fir	Scientific Name:	Pseudotsuga menziesii
Blooms:	None Listed	Native:	Yes. Native of mixed evergreen and redwood forests on the West Coast
Special Comments:	Douglas-fir is one of the most common trees associated with redwoods. Differentiated from the coast redwood by its straight needles standing out along the stem, the Douglas-fir trees grow throughout Marcel's Forest. As a sun-tolerant tree, however, most grow on the south-facing slope above Old-Growth Loop. Look for its grey, zig-zag fissured bark. Douglas-fir is one of today's most valuable lumber crops in the U.S.A., but there were many uses of the Douglas-fir long ago, too. The Native Americans brewed a tea from the needles of the tree. To treat rheumatism, the Native Americans burned the boughs of the tree in steamhouses. Also, smoke from burning Douglas-fir branches was considered a good-luck charm. Hunters would hold their bows over the smoke so that they would be able to find deer. Seed cones are frequently seen on the trail throughout the forest and can be recognized by their 3-forked bracts ("bracts" are modified leaves). A story told by ecology docents at Henry Cowell Park helps visitors recognize Douglas-fir seed cones. See if it helps you. Douglas-fir Keeps His Seed Cones.
Douglas-fir needles stand up along the stem (Click to enlarge above picture). Young bark of the Douglas-fir is often grey and smooth, and as the tree matures, the bark may become grey and scaly. Bark on the older Douglas-fir, however, is often fissured like the bark in the picture at left. Click pictures to enlarge
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