A softwood

A coniferous tree, evergreen

Not a true fir, but a pseudotsuga

Light brown with a hint of red and/or yellow

Generally straight or slightly wavy grain

Stiff, strong, resistant to abrasion

One of the hardest and heaviest softwoods

Durable, but susceptible to insect infestation

Withstands high loads

Has been reported to cause skin irritation, nausea, and runny nose (not always the case; not severe)

Relatively easy to work with, good machining qualities

Dried according to end-use and customer specifications

Often kiln dried. Creates a natural stain, increases strength and stiffness, and increases resistance to decay and insect infestation

Important species for lumber production in the U.S.

Can be used in exteriors because of its durability, but needs to be cleaned and polished

Untreated, Douglas-fir will grey and tarnish--can lead to mold on the moist or humid areas

Exterior treatment: saturator (preserves appearance and protects from UV, which leads to greying from humidity)

Has a natural gloss when new, so saturator should not be applied for approx. 3 weeks to avoid a film layer

Sourced from western North America

Coastal Douglas-fir on the pacific coast

Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir

Mexican Douglas-fir

Fast growing rate

Readily available

Not an endangered species

Durable and hardens with age

Good carbon storage

Waste can be recycled

Emissions are produced from kiln drying

Animal habitats and source of food is removed when trees are cut down

No poisonous chemicals found in the wood