Douglas fir
Latin name: Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pseudotsuga taxifolia, Pseudotsuga douglasii
Also known as: British Columbian pine (UK), Columbian pine (UK), Oregon pine (USA)
Wood Type:
Softwood
Durability:
Moderately durable, Slightly durable (Homegrown timber)
Treatability:
Extremely difficult, Difficult (Sapwood)
Moisture Movement:
Small
Density (mean, Kg/m³):
530
Texture:
Medium
Availability:
Readily available at timber merchant
Price:
Medium
Sizes:
Long lengths and clear grades available
Use(s):
Joinery - Exterior, Joinery - Interior, Cladding, Structural use, Flooring
Colour(s):
Reddish brown, Light brown

Introduction
Douglas fir from Canada and the USA may be graded and shipped for structural purposes in the species mix 'Douglas fir- larch' which comprises Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western larch (Larix occidentalis). The mechanical properties quoted for material from Canada and USA are for this species mix.
Environmental
Not listed in CITES. Believed available from well-managed sources. Check certification status with suppliers.
Distribution
Although a native of North America, the tree has been extensively planted in Europe and the UK.
The tree
A large tree attaining a height of 45m to 60m and a diameter of 1m to 2m, occasionally much taller and larger.
The timber
The heartwood is light reddish-brown in colour, usually quite distinct from the lighter coloured sapwood. The abrupt change and contrast in colour between early-wood and late-wood bands, produce a prominent growth ring figure which is a feature of plain-sawn surfaces and of rotary-cut veneer. The wood from trees grown in the UK appears to have less resin than the North American wood, and to some extent is of more rapid growth. The average weight of dried timber from either source is about 530 kg/m3.
Drying
Imported 'Douglas fir' is not a difficult timber to dry on arrival in this country or in Europe, because the moisture content has already been reduced prior to shipment with some selecting out of degraded boards. Drying degrade is generally confined to surface checking, splitting and loosening of knots, and splitting in the vicinity of knots. Accordingly, stock from trees grown in the UK and in Europe when dried from the green state, needs care, particularly because of the generally higher preponderance of knots which are hard, often loose, and which encourage more wavy grain than in imported stock.
Strength
Compared with European redwood, it is some 60 per cent stiffer, 40 per cent harder and more resistant to suddenly applied loads, and 30 per cent stronger in bending and in compression along the grain.
Suppliers |
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Abbey Woods
Dublin 13 |
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Beaumont Forest Products Limited
High Wycombe |
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Benchmark Timber Ltd
High Wycombe |
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Brooks Bros (UK) Limited
Maldon |
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Capricorn Eco Timber
Stafford |
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Champion, A W Limited
New Malden |
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Co2 Timber Supplies
Taunton |
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Cranwood Industries
Warrenpoint |
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E O Burton & Co Limited
Brentwood |
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English Woodlands Timber Ltd
Midhurst |
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Harlow Bros Limited
Loughborough |
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International Timber
Manchester |
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iWood Timber Ltd
Stafford |
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James Latham plc
Hemel Hempstead |
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Morgan Timber
Rochester |
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NHG Timber Limited
Croydon |
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PiveteauBois
Essarts en Bocage |
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Ramsay Timber Limited
Wigan |
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Stourhead (Western) Estate
Warminster |
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Thorogood Timber Limited
Colchester |
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Timber Focus
Manchester |
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Timbersource Limited
Waterlip |
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Vastern Timber
Swindon |
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Vincent Timber Ltd
Birmingham |
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W. L. West & Sons Ltd
Petworth |
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Suppliers |
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W. L. West & Sons Ltd
Petworth |
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Vincent Timber Ltd
Birmingham |
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Vastern Timber
Swindon |
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Timbersource Limited
Waterlip |
|
Timber Focus
Manchester |
|
Thorogood Timber Limited
Colchester |
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Stourhead (Western) Estate
Warminster |
|
Ramsay Timber Limited
Wigan |
|
PiveteauBois
Essarts en Bocage |
|
NHG Timber Limited
Croydon |
|
Morgan Timber
Rochester |
|
James Latham plc
Hemel Hempstead |
|
iWood Timber Ltd
Stafford |
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International Timber
Manchester |
|
Harlow Bros Limited
Loughborough |
|
English Woodlands Timber Ltd
Midhurst |
|
E O Burton & Co Limited
Brentwood |
|
Cranwood Industries
Warrenpoint |
|
Co2 Timber Supplies
Taunton |
|
Champion, A W Limited
New Malden |
|
Capricorn Eco Timber
Stafford |
|
Brooks Bros (UK) Limited
Maldon |
|
Benchmark Timber Ltd
High Wycombe |
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Beaumont Forest Products Limited
High Wycombe |
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Abbey Woods
Dublin 13 |
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