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Order Pinales, Family Pinaceae, Genus Pseudotsuga
These beautiful trees look quit different from "pine trees," and are common in our mixed conifer forests. The Dougfir of the Pacific Coast (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) is a real giant, over 250', while ours tops out at under 200'.
The bare branches at the top of this tree are a favorite perch for hawks, crows, Townsend Solitaires, and all manner of other birds.
Mature bark is brown and furrowed.
Younger bark is gray and platey.
Dougfir cones appear to have mice trapped in the scales, with their tails protruding.
In spring, Dougfir sprouts "candles" on the ends of its branches. All conifers do this, but the ones on Dougfir are most obvious.
The needles of Dougfir do not grow in bundles, but singly.