Pseudotsuga menziesii aka Douglas Fir

Taxonomy

Pseudotsuga menziesii, commonly known as Douglas fir, is an evergreen coniferous tree that belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and has various aliases such as Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. The species is named in honor of a Scottish naval surgeon and botanist, Archibald Menzies. P. menziesii comes in three varieties - coast Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, and Mexican Douglas-fir. Despite its name, it is not a true fir, spruce, pine, or hemlock. The genus name, Pseudotsuga, means "false hemlock." The tree has a conical to columnar shape with thick, reddish-brown, and ridged bark. Its branches spread out and carry sharp-pointed, reddish-brown buds that turn into linear, dark green leaves. The tree also produces brown, conical female cones with long and erect bracts that emerge in winter. Douglas fir can grow up to 150 feet tall and 40 feet wide, but it is not ideal for most home landscapes.

Common names

Douglas Fir, Coast Douglas Fir, Columbian Pine

How to care for Douglas Fir

Difficulty

Douglas Fir presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Douglas Fir should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Douglas Fir loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Douglas Fir thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Columbian Pine.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

Once the Douglas Fir has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Douglas Fir’s native range is Western N. America - Canada to California. Occasionally self-sows in Britain[17].


More info:
Wikipedia