Tree Facts #2 – Douglas Fir

When you think of Fir trees what comes to mind? If you buy high end christmas trees you might think of the Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri). However I think the most widely known ‘fir’ is the Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Except that Douglas Fir, isn’t a fir at all because it’s not a member of the genus Abies.

What I find strange is that it’s genus Pseudotsuga actually means ‘False Hemlock’…not false fir. Upon doing some research I have found that scientists have had a hard time classifying this tree. At various times it has been placed in the genus of Pines, Spruce, Fir, Sequoia, and lo and behold…the Hemlocks. Mystery solved. Eventually I guess they gave up and decided to just create a new genus since it didn’t quite fit into any of those other groups. But I still think they should have made the scientific name match up with the common name.

At any rate, I am a fan of the Douglas Fir even if it is a total poser like the Tulip Poplar. Though native in the Rocky Mountain states, Douglas Firs are most notable in the Pacific Northwest where they have been documented to attain heights of nearly 400’, the thought of which gives me goosebumps.