Pseudotsuga macrocarpa aka Big Cone Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga macrocarpa is an evergreen conifer called bigcone Douglas-fir. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range lies in the mountains of southern California. It grows from Kern County south into San Diego County. The range ends just north of the Mexican border. Its large cones give the species its scientific name.

In gardens, this tree reaches about 40–60 feet (12–18 metres). Some trees reach 80 feet (24 metres). The crown forms a broad, open cone. Long main branches sweep down, and smaller branchlets hang below. Trunks can measure about 2–3 feet (0.6–0.9 metres) across. Young bark is smooth and gray-brown. With age, it thickens and turns dark reddish brown. Deep grooves divide the old bark into rounded ridges. Slender twigs bear long, sharp, reddish-brown buds. Young shoots turn gray in their second year.

The flat needles grow singly along the shoots. They may spread to either side or surround the twig. Their tips are sharp, and some needles curve gently downward. Sources differ on needle size and upper-surface colour. Virginia Tech describes blue-green to gray-green leaves. Oregon State describes light to deep green, glossy leaves. Both note pale bands on the lower surface. These bands help distinguish the two sides of each needle. The evergreen foliage and hanging branchlets give the tree its outline.

Male and female cones grow on the same tree. In spring, male cones cluster near the branch tips. They start red, then become pale yellow. Female cones are reddish and have long bracts. Mature cones turn dark brown by late summer. They measure about 4–6 inches long. Rounded cone scales carry bracts with three projecting points. The middle point extends just beyond the two side points. Oregon State reports that cone production begins after about 50 years. The seeds are relatively large and have wings.

Oregon State recommends a sunny site and lists USDA zones 7–8. Its broad crown and hanging branches define its landscape form. Allow for its mature tree size when choosing a site. The supplied sources give no specific soil or watering guidance. They also provide no species-level account of pests or diseases. They do not establish edible uses or safety for people or pets.