The Douglas Fir is Oregon’s designated state tree. It can be identified by its flat, soft needles that grow in all directions from the twig like a bottle brush. Its seeds are an extremely important food source for small forest mammals (squirrels, chipmunks …) which consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. In optimal conditions, Douglas Firs can grow 2-3 feet per year and live up to 1000 years. The photo above shows a 250 foot tall and 30 foot in circumference old growth Douglas Fir found in the upper portion of the Tualatin River watershed. The Douglas Fir is a key part of Oregon’s economy. It is the highest yielding timber species in North America and a very popular type of Christmas tree. Oregon is the lead producer of Christmas trees in the United States (33% of total).
