VANCOUVER DOUGLAS FIR 389 



DOUGLAS FIR. 

 Pseudotsuga Douglasii = The Douglas Fir or Oregon Pine. 



There are several varieties of this tree, the two chief 

 varieties being those known as : 



(1) The Vancouver or Oregon variety. 



(2) The Colorado or glaucous variety. 



Only the Vancouver variety will be considered, as there 

 is nothing to recommend the glaucous variety, which is very 

 much slower growing ; and any assertion that it is hardier 

 or stands a colder climate, is quite unfounded, for the 

 Vancouver variety thrives high up in the Rocky Mountains 

 as well as at the sea coast. 



The Vancouver Douglas Fir is native to the west coast 

 of North America, and grows to perfection on the coast 

 regions of British Columbia. It is said to have been 

 introduced in 1828. 



As to Seed. Good crops of seed are produced from 

 about the thirtieth year onwards, and there is every prob- 

 ability that home-grown seed will prove quite as good as 

 any imported seed, provided that it be collected from trees 

 raised from seed grown upon the coast regions of British 

 Columbia. 



One pound of seed contains about 40,000 seeds, and the 

 germinative capacity is about 30 per cent. 



The timber is fairly hard and resinous, and very strong, 

 provided it be grown in close canopy. It forms heartwood 

 earlier in youth than most other trees. 



It is a handsome timber, especially the sapwood, if the 

 latter has been kiln-dried. 



It makes most excellent timber for all interior carpenters' 

 and joiners' work ; but it is not very durable for outdoor 

 work, unless painted or preserved in some way. 



Soil and Situation. A deep, rather moist, though well- 

 drained soil is necessary. It succeeds admirably on a deep, 

 porous soil with a cool bottom. It will grow on stiff clay 

 soils, but its development is not very good under such 



