Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir is a North American conifer of great commercial importance. It occurs in the Pacific Northwest from California to British Columbia where it grows quickly in the mild, wet climate to form giant trees, up to 100 m tall, particularly in old growth forests. It also occurs in the Rocky Mountains, but doesn't grow as quickly there, nor does it grow to be as tall. The cones of Douglas Fir are easy to identify with their unique, forked bracts that  occur between the cone scales. It was introduced to Britain in 1827 and is named after David Douglas, a Scottish botanist who collected and explored the forests of North America and realised its potential as a commercial tree. However it is not a true fir and despite its importance as a timber tree in North America it is of comparatively minor importance in British forestry, although it may beacome more important as a replacement for Larch in the future. It grows best in the wetter areas of western Britain but is intolerant of exposure and atmospheric pollution. There are few large stands of Douglas Fir in the plantations of West Glamorgan but it has a scattered occurrence in the forests of the Neath and Afan valleys. There are some significant stands in Glyncastle Forest. It produces large amount of seed under suitable conditions and regenerating saplings are often encountered along forest roads in places where there are significant stands.

Regenerates as a neophyte