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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Drying Rate Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Natural Growth Defects Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Abrasion Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Substitutes Synonyms Texture Toxicity Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering		Scientific Name Pseudotsuga menziesii Trade Name Douglas-fir Family Name Pinaceae Synonyms Pseudotsuga taxifolia Common Names Blue Douglas-fir, British Columbia pine, British Columbian pine, Coast Douglas-fir, Colorado Douglas-fir, Colorado pino real, Colorado real, Columbian Pine, Douglas fir, Douglas spruce, Douglas-fir, Douglas-fir (Coast), Inland Douglas-fir, Interior Douglas-fir, Oregon Douglas-fir, Oregon pine, Puget Sound pine, Red fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, Yellow fir Regions of Distribution Central America, North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, Mexico, United States Common Uses Agricultural implements, Beams, Boat building (general), Boat building: decking, Boat building: framing, Boat building: masts, Boxes and crates, Bridge construction, Building construction, Building materials, Cabin construction, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Cooperages, Core Stock, Decorative veneer, Domestic flooring, Factory construction, Factory flooring, Figured veneer, Flooring, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Furniture, Heavy construction, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Ladders, Light construction, Lock gates, Marine construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Packing cases, Paneling, Parquet flooring, Pile-driver cushions, Piling, Plain veneer, Plywood, Poles, Porch columns, Posts, Pulp/Paper products, Railroad cars, Railroad ties, Rough construction, Sporting Goods, Structural plywood, Structural work, Studs, Sub-flooring, Utility crossarms, Utility plywood, Vats, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Warehouse construction, Wharf construction Environmental Profile Vulnerable Abundant/Secure Widespread, abundant, and globally secure Rare in some parts of its range, particularly at the periphery Data source is World Conservation Monitoring Center Distribution Overview The growth range of Douglas fir includes Alberta, British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Coast Douglas-fir occurs in pure stands of vast forests on moist, well drained soils. Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir may occur in pure stands or mixed coniferous forests, and thrive mainly on rocky soils of mountain slopes. Douglas-fir has also been introduced to other regions in the world, including Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia as a source of timber. Heartwood Color Red Brown Pink Yellow Black Orange Purple Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Reddish brown Red Pale red to pink Brown Yellow White to cream Light red Large color variation Dark brown There is typically a clean-cut division between the hard, red-brown summerwood bands and the paler, softer, pinkish-yellow springwood Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Green/Grey Pink Paler than heartwood White to yellow Well defined Reddish white Pinkish Grain Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Wavy Irregular Crossed Even Closed Straight Distinct figure Wavy Distinct and very fine figure Occasionally wavy Irregular Irregular or uneven grain occasionally Grain shows flame-shaped outlines Figure shows spiral Tendency towards curly or wavy characteristics sometimes. Texture Coarse Medium Fine Medium to coarse Coarse Uniform Uneven Medium Fine to medium Wood with narrow growth rings are quite uniform in texture while those with wider rings are very often uneven textured Luster Medium High Natural Growth Defects Latex or other ducts Spongy heart may be present. Gum/resin streaks Gum/resin exudation Natural Durability Very durable Durable Resistant to termites Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to powder post beetles Non-resistant to marine borers Non-resistant to termites Resistant to marine borers Moderately durable Durable Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to marine borer attack Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Very little natural resistance Resistant to attack from pinworms (ambrosia beetles) Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Needs chemical protection in high decay conditions Moderately resistant to termite (Isoptera) attack Weathering Excellent Odor Has an odor No distinctive taste Green wood has resinous odor Toxicity Some toxic effects Respiratory effects Dermatitic effects Kiln Schedules Drying (speed) is fast UK=K US=T13C4S/T11D3S UK=H US=T10D4S/T8D3S Fr=7 T11 - A4 (4/4) US T10 - A3 (8/4) US Schedule K (4/4) United Kingdom Drying Defects Splitting Checking Slight surface checking Slight twist/warp Slight end splitting No surface checking Slight cupping No twisting or warping No cupping, generally Expect slight degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Expect moderate degrade due to knots, splits, and loosening Slight collapse and honeycomb Ring failure Red-Brown chemical stains, and gray sapwood stains are common Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Slowly Rapidly Variable Reconditioning Treatement Little degrade Easy Moderate Heartwood has low moisture content Dries rapidly Kiln Drying Rate Very slow Naturally dries at a moderate speed Naturally dries slowly Naturally dries quickly Drying rate is slow Tree Identification Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Sapwood width is 10-15 cm Sapwood width is 15-20 cm Tree height is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 20-25 cm Bole length is 10-20 m Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Sapwood width is 5-10 cm Tree height is 20-30 m Tree height is 40-50 m Bole length is 20-30 m Tree height is 50-60 m Bole length is 30-40 m Sapwood width is 0-5 cm Resinous exudates from any cut on the living tree is reported to leave a coating of yellow rosin as a protection against insect or fungal attack, after the turpentine evaporates Product Sources Supplies of Douglas-fir are adequate since the species grows rapidly, and its growth range extends over a wide area in North America. It is usually priced in the medium to lower range. Remarkably knot-free, strong, and light, Douglas-fir is considered to be one of the best known softwood timbers. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Comments Douglas-Fir is reported to produce the most, in total volume, of timber, lumber, and plywood for veneer General finishing qualities are rated as good Generally stron and hard Lumber from old trees is valuable because it is free of knots Blunting Effect Moderate High to severe Blunting effect on machining is moderate Harder late wood can blunt edges Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Fairly easy to very easy Fair to good results Very good results Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult to saw Level of difficulty depends on percentage of latewood Difficult to saw Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to glue Moderate gluing properties Very good properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moderately easy to mortise Excellent mortising properties Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding ease is moderate Excellent moulding properties Movement in Service Excellent Stability - Small Movement Small Medium Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Pre-Boring Recommended Very Good to Excellent Results Poor to Very Poor Results Holds satisfactorily Easy to nail Difficult to nail Nailing hold is generally excellent Excellent resistance to splitting in nailing operations Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fairly Difficult to Very Difficult Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Ease of planing is moderate Planes to a satisfactory finish Excellent planing qualities Easy to plane Resistance to Abrasion Peel and slice easily because they are typically well-formed and not very hard Highly resistant to wear Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Permeable heartwood Permeable sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is highly resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is resistant Sapwood is permeable Sapwood is modertely permeable Sapwood is extremely resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Satisfactory Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Variable qualities Sharp cutting edges prevent tearing Latewood is difficult to work Routing & Recessing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fair to Good Results Pre-boring recommended Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to screw Satisfactory results Screws hold very well Screwing yields good results Excellent screwing properties Difficult to screw Turning Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very good Veneering Qualities Suitable for slicing Veneers easily Veneers moderately easy Suitable for peeling There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Suitable for peeling No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting Moderately easy to veneer Pronounced color differences in earlywood and latewood are reported to result in a distinctive grain pattern when logs are rotary peeled into veneers. Steam Bending Moderate Painting Satisfactory results Poor results Good results Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally satisfactory Finish is generally good Satisfactory staining properties Some stock may develop a slight pinkish to salmon color when finished with some products. Care should be taken to avoid overstaining when refinishing old floors, beacuse of potential color change. Rotary cut veneers are reported to display such strong natural color that staining is sometimes unnecessary. Varnishing Satisfactory Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Max. crushing strength = medium Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Bending strength (MOR) = medium Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Hardness (side grain) = soft Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shrinkage, Radial = moderate Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = medium Toughness (total work) = low Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = high Max. crushing strength = low Density (dry weight) = 15-22 lbs/cu. ft. Weight = moderate Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = high Toughness (total work) = very low Toughness (total work) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Shrinkage, Radial = small Max. crushing strength = high Hardness (side grain) = medium Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high Bending strength (MOR) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = high Max. crushing strength = very high Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 7558 12238 psi Crushing Strength 446 872 psi Density 33 lbs/ft3 Hardness 616 lbs Impact Strength 25 36 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 3906 6951 psi Shearing Strength 1172 psi Static Bending 4572 8428 psi Stiffness 1554 1917 1000 psi Toughness 170 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 6 9 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.47 Weight 33 31 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 531 860 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 31 61 kg/cm2 Density 528 kg/m3 Hardness 279 kg Impact Strength 63 91 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 274 488 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 82 kg/cm2 Static Bending 321 592 kg/cm2 Stiffness 109 134 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 195 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.42 0.63 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.43 0.47 Weight 528 496 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Alston, A.S.,1966,Natural Heartwood Durability,Fiji Forestry Department, Suva. 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