False Spruce Pseudotsuga menziesii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pinus taxifolia
- Pseudotsuga taxifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- sue-do-SUE-ga men-ZEE-see-eye
- Description
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Douglas fir is an evergreen tree in the Pinaceae (pine) family that is native to the western part of North America. The name origin derives from Greek with genus name pseudo meaning untrue or false, and tsuga meaning hemlock, nodding to the fact that it is often confused with hemlock trees. The species name menziesii is in honor of Archibald Menzies (1754-1842), a naval surgeon and botanist from Scotland. Growing to a towering height of 40 to 150 feet fall and up to 40 feet wide, it is not suitable for most home landscapes.
Plant it in full sun to partial shade in acidic, well-drained, loamy soil. Keep it well watered as it is not tolerant of drought conditions. The needles are fragrant when bruised. When it is young it has an open, spired pyramid shape. As it ages it loses lower branches, leaving the bottom third of the tree trunk open. It is easy to transplant when it is small.
This large tree provides winter interest with its attractive needles but is best left to natural woodland habitats.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Weevils, bark beetles, spider mites, aphids, and galls are common. Heart rot, root rot, and needlecast are occasional disease problems.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Fastigiata'
- var. glauca
Winter hardy to zone 4 Rocky Mountain variety
var. menziesii
Grows on the western coasts of North America. - 'Fastigiata'
- 'Fastigiata', var. glauca, var. menziesii
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Fastigiata'
- var. glauca
Winter hardy to zone 4 Rocky Mountain variety
var. menziesii
Grows on the western coasts of North America. - 'Fastigiata'
- 'Fastigiata', var. glauca, var. menziesii
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pseudotsuga
- Species:
- menziesii
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used for lumber and as a Christmas tree.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South East Alaska to Mexico
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 150 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits, trees are monoecious. Seed cones hang down 3" to 4" light brown to red-brown with small appendages on each bract that resemble three pointed tongues that start out yellow-green and ripen to gray or light brown. Seeds are light brown and have a yellow brown wing.
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Flowers:
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- No flowers, trees are monoecious. Pollen cones are red-yellow pendulous 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 1 to 1.5 in. needles undersides have white lines
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Scaly
- Bark Description:
- Gray, black, to red brown scaly, flaking with fissures that run longitudinally.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Leaf buds are ovoid, and not resinous. Stems have circular leaf scars where needles fall off.
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
