Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco

A tree 200 to 300 ft high, with a trunk 8 to 12 ft in diameter; main branches horizontal, secondary ones pendulous; young shoots usually more or less downy, with terminal buds that are ovate, pointed, 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 in. long, brown, shining; also occasional axillary buds along the shoot. Leaves disposed either all round the shoot or (especially on weak shoots) in two opposite ranks crowded, linear, 3⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. long, 1⁄16 to 1⁄12 in. wide; rounded or blunt (never notched) at the apex, of various shades of green (from grass green to glaucous green), and with several lines of stomata each side the midrib beneath. Cones pendulous, shortly stalked, averaging 21⁄2 to 4 in. long and 1 to 11⁄2 in. wide at the base, slenderly egg-shaped, pointed, very distinct on account of the conspicuously obtruded bracts. Male flowers axillary, composed of a cylindrical cluster of orange-red stamens.

Native of western N. America from British Columbia to California; discovered by Menzies in 1793, and introduced by Douglas in 1827.

In favourable situations the Douglas fir grows with extreme rapidity, and has already reached in many places a stature of over 150 ft. To get it at its best it requires a climate where the rainfall is abundant, and at least a moderately good soil. On dry, hungry soil, and in bleak spots, it is a failure. To see this tree in its finest condition and in its greatest numbers one must visit the Perthshire properties. Solitary trees are magnificent, the enormous trunks supporting a mass of large plume-like branches.

The vernacular name Douglas fir is used for this species as a whole (and sometimes for the whole genus Pseudotsuga). But the typical state is often referred to as Oregon, Green, or Coastal Douglas fir, to distinguish it from the inland race (see var. glauca below).

It is impossible in a short list to do justice to the many notable specimens of Douglas fir growing in the British Isles. In Conifers in the British Isles, A. F. Mitchell gives statistics of 101 trees, the majority in Scotland, of which thirty-three are 150 ft high and over, and forty-two are more than 15 ft in girth. The following are from the original introduction by Douglas, or were planted before 1850: Eggesford Forest, Crediton, Devon. pl. 1837, 124 × 201⁄4 ft at 6 ft, dying back at top (1970); Walcot Hall, Shrops., pl. 1842, fine bole, 125 × 183⁄4 ft (1962); Powis Castle, Montgom., pl. 1842, 180 × 131⁄2 ft (1970); Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries, pl. 1832 (original introduction), 117 × 151⁄2 ft (1970); Durris House, Kincard., pl. 1841, 154 × 17 ft (1970); Dawyck, Peebl., pl. 1835, 141 × 17 ft (1970); Dunkeld Cathedral, pl. 1846, 120 × 203⁄4 ft (1970).

As might be expected from its extended habitat, it shows much variation. In any large group of trees more or less distinct shades are discernible. The most distinct of the varieties are:

From the Supplement (Vol. V)

The only trees listed on pages 425–6 were those from the original introduction by Douglas or at least planted before 1850. Those that have been remeasured are: Walcot Hall, Shrops., pl. 1842, 115 × 181⁄2 ft (1975); Powis Castle, Powys, pl. 1842, 150 × 16 ft and 170 × 133⁄4 ft (1984); Drumlanrig, Dumfr., pl. 1832, 135 × 163⁄4 ft (1984); Dawyck, Peebl., pl. 1835, 105 × 201⁄4 ft at 1 ft (1984); Dunkeld Cathedral, Perths., pl. 1846, 105 × 22 ft (1984).

Some others notable for height or girth are:

Blair Castle, Perths., 183 × 101⁄2 ft (1983); Lynedoch, Perths., 150 × 201⁄2 at 4 ft (1984); Murthly Castle, Perths., pl. 1850, 176 × 171⁄2 ft and 180 × 111⁄2 ft (1981); The Hermitage, Dunkeld, Perths., 198 × 131⁄4 ft (1982); Benmore, Argyll, in Glen Massen, 170 × 151⁄2 ft (1983); Castle Milk, Dumfr., pl. 1869, 135 × 183⁄4 ft (1984); Randolph’s Leap, Findhorn River, Moray, 190 × 141⁄2 ft (1984); Belladrum, Inv., 166 × 141⁄2 ft (1984); and in England: Castlehill, Devon, 138 × 173⁄4 ft (1983); Monk Coniston, Cumb., 132 × 17 ft (1983).

var. glauca – specimens: Warnham Court, Sussex, this tree no longer exists; Dropmore, Bucks., pl. 1906, 92 × 53⁄4 ft (1982); St Clere, Kent, pl. 1907, 82 × 51⁄4 ft (1983); Little Hall, Kent, pl. 1906, 70 × 41⁄4 ft (1984); Tilgate Park, Sussex, pl. 1905, 72 × 41⁄4 ft (1982); Bagshot Park, Berks., 75 × 41⁄4 ft (1982); Balmoral Castle, Aberd., 95 × 6 ft (1980); Culloden Hotel, Inv., 92 × 61⁄2 ft (1982).

cv. ‘Fretsii’. – The Wisley specimen measures 43 × 31⁄2 ft (1975) and there is another of about the same size at Wakehurst Place, Sussex (1982).