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55-603: The Red Creek Fir is a large Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) tree located in the San Juan Valley of Vancouver Island in British Columbia , Canada . By volume, it is the largest known Douglas fir tree on Earth. The tree was seeded sometime around 1000 CE. It flourished due to its location on the shaded southern slopes of the San Juan Valley and being no more than 0.5 km (0.31 mi) from

110-446: A closed, damp cone of suitable size is inserted into a narrow-mouthed bottle and allowed to open upon drying. Cone cows are traditional homemade toys , made by children using material found in nature. The most common design is a spruce or pine cone with sticks or matches for legs, which can easily be attached by forcing them between the cone scales. Playing with cone cows often includes building an animal enclosure from sticks. For

165-761: A diameter of 4.2 m (14 ft), a circumference of 9.8 m (32 ft), and a height of 73.8 m (242 ft). The tree has an approximate age of at least 1000 years old. Douglas fir The Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae . It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir , Douglas spruce , Oregon pine , and Columbian pine . There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. menziesii ), Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. glauca ) and Mexican Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var. lindleyana ). Despite its common names , it

220-589: A hard coat evolved to resist digestion in the bird's stomach. Members of the cypress family ( cypresses , arborvitae , junipers , redwoods , etc.) differ in that the bract and seed scales are fully fused, with the bract visible as no more than a small lump or spine on the scale. The botanical term galbulus (plural galbuli; from the Latin for a cypress cone) is sometimes used instead of strobilus for members of this family. The female cones have one to 20 ovules on each scale. They often have peltate scales, as opposed to

275-549: A number of specifications including kiln dried and grade stamped, and can be supplied in very long lengths to 60 feet. West coast mills are sophisticated in their processing of timbers, making lead times predictable and availability reliable. Paints adhere well to Douglas fir. Stains perform well on Douglas fir timbers with the mild caution that the natural color of this species varies and care must be taken to ensure uniformity of color. Pitch pockets that may ooze resin can be present in timbers that have not been kiln dried. Because of

330-536: A separate family (Taxodiaceae) in the past. In most of the genera, the cones are woody and the seeds have two narrow wings (one along each side of the seed), but in three genera ( Platycladus , Microbiota and Juniperus ), the seeds are wingless, and in Juniperus , the cones are fleshy and berry -like (known as galbuli ). The cones and seeds of Sciadopitys (the only member of the family) are similar to those of some Cupressaceae, but larger, 6–11 cm long;

385-636: A tangy citrus flavor and may serve in some recipes as a wild substitute for rosemary . Conifer cone The male cone ( microstrobilus or pollen cone ) is structurally similar across all conifers, differing only in small ways (mostly in scale arrangement) from species to species. Extending out from a central axis are microsporophylls (modified leaves). Under each microsporophyll is one or several microsporangia ( pollen sacs). The female cone ( megastrobilus , seed cone , or ovulate cone ) contains ovules which, when fertilized by pollen, become seeds. The female cone structure varies more markedly between

440-410: A traditional part of the arts and crafts of cultures where conifers are common. Examples of their use includes seasonal wreaths and decorations, fire starters, bird feeders, toys, etc. An intriguing derivation of the impossible bottle mechanical puzzle takes advantage of the fact that pine cones open and close based on their level of dryness. In constructing the pine cone in the bottle display,

495-426: Is a fairground with cone cow sculptures large enough for children to ride on. In Sweden, a video game was released in which the player may build virtual cone cows. Swedish artist Lasse Åberg has created artwork with cone cows, which has been included in an alphabet book and featured on a Swedish postage stamp among other classic toys. Cones are also used as decorative elements in architecture such as on top of

550-455: Is a significant component. The red vole nests almost exclusively in the foliage of the trees, typically 2–50 metres (5–165 ft) above the ground, and its diet consists chiefly of Douglas-fir needles. Douglas-fir needles are generally poor browse for ungulates , although in the winter when other food sources are lacking it can become important, and black-tailed deer browse new seedlings and saplings in spring and summer. The spring diet of

605-495: Is an important indication of wildfire risk. Closed cones indicate damp conditions while open cones indicate the forest floor is dry. As a result of this, pine cones have often been used by people in temperate climates to predict dry and wet weather, usually hanging a harvested pine cone from some string outside to measure the humidity of the air. Members of the Araucariaceae ( Araucaria , Agathis , Wollemia ) have

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660-712: Is considered to be an invasive species, called a wilding conifer , and is subject to control measures. But is also one of the most common lumber trees used in forestry alongside Radiata pine with large plantations throughout the country. The species was introduced in the 1900s for its wood. Douglas-fir prefers acidic or neutral soils. However, it exhibits considerable morphological plasticity, and on drier sites P. menziesii var. menziesii will generate deeper taproots. Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca exhibits even greater plasticity, occurring in stands of interior temperate rainforest in British Columbia, as well as at

715-516: Is extensively used in forestry management as a plantation tree for softwood timber . Douglas-fir is one of the world's best timber-producing species and yields more timber than any other species in North America, making the forestlands of western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia the most productive on the continent. In 2011, Douglas-fir represented 34.2% of US lumber exports, to a total of 1.053 billion board-feet. Douglas fir timber

770-843: Is found in the Klamath and California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Range , with a small stand as far south as the Purisima Hills in Santa Barbara County. One of the last remaining old growth stands of conifers is in the Mattole Watershed, and is under threat of logging. In the Sierra Nevada , it ranges as far south as the Yosemite region. It occurs from sea level along

825-413: Is misleading since it is not a true fir, i.e., not a member of the genus Abies . For this reason, the name is often written as Douglas-fir (a name also used for the genus Pseudotsuga as a whole). The specific epithet menziesii is after Archibald Menzies , a Scottish physician and rival naturalist to David Douglas. Menzies first documented the tree on Vancouver Island in 1791. Colloquially,

880-555: Is more shade tolerant than some associated fire-dependent species, such as western larch and ponderosa pine, and often replaces these species further inland. Fungal diseases such as laminated root rot and shoestring root-rot can cause significant damage, and in plantation settings dominated by Douglas-fir monocultures may cause extreme damage to vast swathes of trees. Interplanting with resistant or nonhost species such as western redcedar and beaked hazelnut can reduce this risk. Other threats to Douglas-fir include red ring rot and

935-533: Is not a true fir ( genus Abies ), spruce (genus Picea ), or pine (genus Pinus ). It is also not a hemlock ; the genus name Pseudotsuga means "false hemlock". Douglas-firs are medium-size to extremely large evergreen trees, 20–100 metres (70–330 feet) tall (although only coast Douglas-firs , reach heights near 100 m) and commonly reach 2.4 m (8 ft) in diameter, although trees with diameters of almost 5 metres (16 feet) exist. The largest coast Douglas-firs regularly live over 500 years, with

990-494: Is poisonous. The whole 'berry' with the seed is eaten by birds, which digest the sugar-rich scale and pass the hard seed undamaged in their droppings, so dispersing the seed far from the parent plant. Welwitschia is unique cone-bearing plant is not considered a conifer, but belongs in the Order Welwitschiales . Welwitschia mirabilis is often called a living fossil and is the only species in its genus, which

1045-483: Is that the male cones are located at the base of the branch, while the female at the tip (of the same or a different branchlet). However, in larches and cedars, both types of cones are always at the tips of short shoots, while both sexes of fir cones are always from side buds, never terminal. There is also some diversity in bearing in Cupressaceae. Some, Cupressus for instance, have little or no differentiation in

1100-486: Is the Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium douglasii ). Epiphytes such as crustose lichens and mosses are common sights on Douglas-firs. As it is only moderately shade tolerant , undisturbed Douglas-fir stands in humid areas will eventually give way to later successional, more shade-tolerant associates such as the western redcedar and western hemlock—though this process may take a thousand years or more. It

1155-598: Is the only genus in its family, which is the only family in its Order. The male cones are on male plants, and female cones on female plants. After emergence of the two cotyledons , it sets only two more leaves. Those two leaves then continue to grow longer from their base, much like fingernails. This allows it great drought tolerance, which is likely why it has survived in the desert of Namibia , while all other representatives from its order are now extinct. For most species found in Australia, male and female cones occur on

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1210-416: Is used for timber frame construction and timber trusses using traditional joinery, veneer , and flooring due to its strength, hardness and durability. As of 2024, the only wooden ships still currently in use by the U.S. Navy in conventional naval operations are Avenger-class minesweepers , made of Douglas-fir. Douglas fir sees wide use in heavy timber structures, as its wood is strong, available in

1265-505: The Douglas-fir beetle . Many different Native American groups used the bark, resin, and needles to make herbal treatments for various diseases. Native Hawaiians built waʻa kaulua ( double-hulled canoes ) from coast Douglas-fir logs that had drifted ashore. The wood has historically been favored as firewood , especially from the coastal variety. In addition early settlers used Douglas fir for all forms of building construction, including floors, beams, and fine carving. The species

1320-548: The Lynn Valley Tree and the Nooksack Giant . The leaves are flat, soft, linear needles 2–4 centimetres ( 3 ⁄ 4 – 1 + 1 ⁄ 2  in) long, generally resembling those of the firs, occurring singly rather than in fascicles ; they completely encircle the branches, which can be useful in recognizing the species. As the trees grow taller in denser forest, they lose their lower branches, such that

1375-643: The San Juan River . Despite various attempts by the Ancient Forest Alliance , it does not yet have formal governmental protection aside from being placed on a public recreation site. A proposal exists to extend the current Pacific Rim National Park down the west coast of the island to include the Red Creek Fir, as well as it being listed by Heritage BC. As of July 2016, both proposals have been unsuccessful. The Red Creek Fir has

1430-550: The Umpqua River in Oregon. It is most dominant in areas with a more frequent fire regime that suppresses less fire-resistant conifers. Douglas-fir seeds are an extremely important food source for small mammals such as moles , shrews , and chipmunks , which consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. The Douglas squirrel harvests and hoards great quantities of Douglas-fir cones, and also consumes mature pollen cones,

1485-468: The blue grouse features Douglas-fir needles prominently. The leaves are also used by the woolly conifer aphid Adelges cooleyi ; this 0.5 mm-long sap -sucking insect is conspicuous on the undersides of the leaves by the small white "fluff spots" of protective wax that it produces. It is often present in large numbers, and can cause the foliage to turn yellowish from the damage it causes. Exceptionally, trees may be partially defoliated by it, but

1540-413: The bract scales, and the seed scales (or ovuliferous scales), one subtended by each bract scale, derived from a highly modified branchlet . On the upper-side base of each seed scale are two ovules that develop into seeds after fertilization by pollen grains. The bract scales develop first, and are conspicuous at the time of pollination; the seed scales develop later to enclose and protect the seeds, with

1595-588: The Mexican border, becoming increasingly disjunct as latitude decreases and altitude increases. Mexican Douglas-fir ( P. lindleyana ), which ranges as far south as Oaxaca , is often considered a variety of P. menziesii . Fossils (wood, pollen) of Pseudotsuga are recorded from the Miocene and Pliocene of Europe ( Siebengebirge , Gleiwitz , Austria). It is also naturalised throughout Europe, Argentina and Chile (called Pino Oregón ). In New Zealand it

1650-486: The apex of the cone are fertile, each bearing a single wingless seed, but in Saxegothaea several scales may be fertile. The fleshy scale complex is 0.5–3 cm long, and the seeds 4–10 mm long. In some genera (e.g. Prumnopitys ), the scales are minute and not fleshy, but the seed coat develops a fleshy layer instead, the cone having the appearance of one to three small plums on a central stem. The seeds have

1705-411: The back half of a mouse, with two feet and a tail. The massive mega- genome of Douglas fir was sequenced in 2017 by the large PineRefSeq consortium, revealing a specialized photosynthetic apparatus in the light-harvesting complex of genes. The common name honors David Douglas , a Scottish botanist and collector who first reported the extraordinary nature and potential of the species. The common name

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1760-435: The bract and seed scales fully fused, and have only one ovule on each scale. The cones are spherical or nearly so, and large to very large, 5–30 cm diameter, and mature in 18 months. For most species they disintegrate at maturity, to release the seeds although in some such as Araucaria bidwillii , the cone weighing up to 10 kilograms (22 lb) is shed intact. In Agathis , the seeds are winged and separate readily from

1815-458: The bract scales often not growing further. The scales open temporarily to receive pollen, then close during fertilization and maturation, and then re-open again at maturity to allow the seed to escape. Maturation takes 6–8 months from pollination in most Pinaceae genera, but 12 months in cedars and 18–24 months (rarely more) in most pines. The cones open either by the seed scales flexing back when they dry out, or (in firs, cedars and golden larch ) by

1870-607: The coast to elevations of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) or higher, and inland in some cases up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft). Another variety exists further inland, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca , the Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir or interior Douglas-fir. Interior Douglas-fir intergrades with coast Douglas-fir in the Cascades of northern Washington and southern British Columbia, and from there ranges northward to central British Columbia and southeastward to

1925-443: The cones disintegrating with the seed scales falling off. The cones are conic, cylindrical or ovoid (egg-shaped), and small to very large, from 2–60 cm long and 1–20 cm broad. After ripening, the opening of non- serotinous pine cones is associated with their moisture content—cones are open when dry and closed when wet. This assures that the small, windborne seeds will be dispersed during relatively dry weather, and thus,

1980-601: The counter-intuitive technique of "topping" and collection of cones from the severed crown tops at one-third the cost of collection from untopped trees and without decreasing cone production (Slayton 1969, Nienstaedt 1981). Most species of spruce are prone to the formation of pineapple gall pseudocones caused by the woolly aphids in the genus Adelges . These are not cones, although they closely resemble them. Alder ( Alnus ) trees are not conifers, but their mature seed bearing catkins closely resemble cones. Because of their widespread occurrence, conifer cones have been

2035-602: The damage is rarely this severe. Among Lepidoptera , apart from some that feed on Pseudotsuga in general, the gelechiid moths Chionodes abella and C. periculella as well as the cone scale-eating tortrix moth Cydia illutana have been recorded specifically on P. menziesii . The inner bark is the primary winter food for the North American porcupine . Poriol is a flavanone, a type of flavonoid, produced by P. menziesii in reaction to infection by Poria weirii . A parasitic plant which uses P. menziesii

2090-420: The different conifer families, and is often crucial for the identification of many species of conifers. The members of the pine family ( pines , spruces , firs , cedars , larches , etc.) have cones that are imbricate (that is, with scales overlapping each other like fish scales). These cones, especially the woody female cones, are considered the "archetypal" tree cones.The female cone has two types of scale:

2145-422: The distance traveled from the parent tree will be enhanced. A pine cone will go through many cycles of opening and closing during its life span, even after seed dispersal is complete. This process occurs with older cones while attached to branches and even after the older cones have fallen to the forest floor . The condition of fallen pine cones is a crude indication of the forest floor's moisture content, which

2200-900: The edge of semi-arid sagebrush steppe throughout much of its range, where it generates even deeper taproots still. The coast Douglas-fir variety is the dominant tree west of the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest . It occurs in nearly all forest types and competes well on most parent materials, aspects, and slopes. Adapted to a more moist, mild climate than the interior subspecies, it grows larger and faster than Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir. Associated trees include western hemlock , Sitka spruce , sugar pine , western white pine , ponderosa pine , grand fir , coast redwood , western redcedar , California incense-cedar , Lawson's cypress , tanoak , bigleaf maple and several others. Pure stands are also common, particularly north of

2255-423: The foliage may start as high as 34 m (110 ft) off the ground. Douglas-firs in environments with more light may have branches much closer to the ground. The bark on young trees is thin, smooth, grey, and contains numerous resin blisters. On mature trees, usually exceeding 80 years, it is very thick and corky, growing up to 36 cm (14 in) thick with distinctive, deep vertical fissures caused by

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2310-569: The gradual expansion of the growing tree. Some of the mature bark is brown, while other parts are lighter colored with a cork-like texture; these develop in multiple layers. This thick bark makes the Douglas-fir one of the most fire-resistant tree native to the Pacific Northwest. The female cones are pendulous, with persistent scales, unlike those of true firs. They have distinctive long, trifid (three-pointed) bracts which protrude prominently above each scale and are said to resemble

2365-491: The imbricate cones described above, though some have imbricate scales. The cones are usually small, 0.3–6 cm or 1 ⁄ 8 – 2 + 3 ⁄ 8 inches long, and often spherical or nearly so, like those of Nootka cypress , while others, such as western redcedar and California incense-cedar , are narrow. The scales are arranged either spirally, or in decussate whorls of two (opposite pairs) or three, rarely four. The genera with spiral scale arrangement were often treated in

2420-419: The inner bark, terminal shoots, and developing young needles. Mature or "old-growth" Douglas-fir forest is the primary habitat of the red tree vole ( Arborimus longicaudus ) and the spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis ). Home range requirements for breeding pairs of spotted owls are at least 400 hectares (4.0 km ; 990 acres) of old growth. Red tree voles may also be found in immature forests if Douglas-fir

2475-581: The most part, cone cows have been displaced by manufactured toys, at least in affluent countries, but the creation of cone cows still enjoys some popularity as an outdoor activity for children. Cone cows are a part of children's culture in Finland where they are known as Käpylehmä (plural: Käpylehmät ) and Sweden where they are known as kottkor or kottdjur (cone animals). Schools and other institutions teach children how to make cone cows as part of outdoors education on nature and history. In Finland there

2530-468: The oldest specimens living for over 1,300 years. Rocky Mountain Douglas-firs , found further to the east, are less long-lived, usually not exceeding 400 years in age. There are records of former coast Douglas-firs exceeding 120 metres (390 feet) in height, which if alive today would make it the tallest tree species on Earth. Particular historical specimens with heights exceeding 400 feet include

2585-457: The positions of male and female cones. Cone crop potential can be predicted in various ways. An early indication of a potential crop can be a period of abnormally hot, dry weather at the time of bud differentiation, particularly if the current and preceding cone crops have been poor (Nienstaedt and Zasada 1990). Estimates of cone crop potential can be made by counting female reproductive buds in fall or winter, and an experienced observer can detect

2640-567: The posts surrounding Koper 's Da Ponte Fountain , the central element of the Fontana della Pigna in Rome or a bronze cone in the narthex of the Aachen Cathedral . Cones are also occasionally used as a charge in heraldic coats of arms. In some parts of Russia and Georgia , immature pine cones are harvested in late spring and boiled to make sweet preserves . The pineal gland

2695-579: The same plant ( tree or shrub ), with female usually on the higher branches towards the top of the plant. This distribution is thought to improve chances of cross-fertilization , as pollen is unlikely to be blown vertically upward within the crown of one plant, but can drift slowly upward in the wind, blowing from low on one plant to higher on another plant. In some conifers, male cones additionally often grow clustered in large numbers together, while female cones are more often produced singly or in only small clusters. A further characteristic arrangement of pines

2750-411: The scales are imbricate and spirally arranged, and have 5-9 ovules on each scale. Members of the yew family and the closely related Cephalotaxaceae have the most highly modified cones of any conifer. There is only one scale in the female cone, with a single poisonous ovule. The scale develops into a soft, brightly coloured sweet, juicy, berry-like aril which partly encloses the deadly seed. The seed alone

2805-611: The seed scale, but in the other two genera, the seed is wingless and fused to the scale. The cones of the Podocarpaceae are similar in function, though not in development, to those of the Taxaceae (q.v. below), being berry-like with the scales highly modified, evolved to attract birds into dispersing the seeds. In most of the genera, two to ten or more scales are fused together into a usually swollen, brightly coloured, soft, edible fleshy aril . Usually, only one or two scales at

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2860-472: The species is also known simply as Doug fir or Douglas pine (although the latter common name may also refer to Pinus douglasiana ). Other names for this tree have included Oregon pine , British Columbian pine , Puget Sound pine , Douglas spruce , false hemlock , red fir , or red pine (although again red pine may refer to a different tree species, Pinus resinosa , and red fir may refer to Abies magnifica ). One Coast Salish name for

2915-475: The subtle morphological differences and distinguish between reproductive buds and vegetative buds (Eis 1967b). White spruce seed collection is expensive, and collection from cone caches of red squirrels is probably the cheapest method. The viability of seed from cached cones does not vary during current caching, but viability drops essentially to zero after being in caches for 1 or 2 years (Wagg 1964). Collection of cones in seed orchards has been facilitated by

2970-493: The timber sizes available, stamped timber grading, and relatively short lead times, Douglas fir sees wide use in both public and residential projects. The species has ornamental value in large parks and gardens. It has been commonly used as a Christmas tree since the 1920s, and the trees are typically grown on plantations. The buds have been used to flavor eau de vie , a clear, colorless fruit brandy. Douglas-fir pine leaves can be used to make pine needle tea . They possess

3025-705: The tree, used in the Halkomelem language, is lá:yelhp . In the Lushootseed language, the tree is called čəbidac . Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii , the coast Douglas-fir, grows in the coastal regions from west-central British Columbia southward to central California . In Oregon and Washington , its range is continuous from the eastern edge of the Cascades west to the Pacific Coast Ranges and Pacific Ocean. In California, it

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