Just what is a Douglas fir?

8 years ago

Ok, I'm making some raised beds for my garden. And while I'm not ready to lay down the money for cedar, I've heard Douglas fir is a good substitute.

So, I decided to do some research on Douglas fir only to find out it's not a true fir. It's scientific name ( Pseudotsuga menziesii) would leave you to believe it's a hemlock. But the Pseudo is throwing me off. Just what type of conifer is this?

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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

8 years ago

Well, it is kinda on its own, though I recall seeing a cladogram that tied it close to larix. Go figure.

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Comments (9)

Mike
8 years ago
What are you trying to do with a Douglas fir that a 'cedar' would do?

What do you mean when you say cedar? Juniper, thuja, or true cedar?

Mike
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If you are moving the trees a short distance in the same yard I dont think there is a need for Ken Adrian's Balling and Burlapping. If you make the hole soggy there is a high probability that the roots will end up BELOW the grade when the thing dries out - and the trees will not last long that way. No need to water the holes until the trees are actually in the ground and backfilled.
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STOP SANDING! If there is ever any doubt that theres lead get it tested. Most big box stores sells instant tests for lead. It will show the pressence of lead. Its not a comprehensive test. If there is lead you need it removed by a professional. Not doing so can cause serious health risks. With the flaking you are getting i suggest you hire a pro to take a better look at the floor. While 100 yr old fir can be sanded it does need to be examined. Some times old wood if not taken care of properly over the years is just a lost cause. Not saying your floor is shot. I have no way of knowing without visually examining it. But at this stage most highly recommended pros will at the very least come out and give you a bid.
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Embothrium
8 years ago
Sounds like wood sides to a raised bed to me.
Mike
8 years ago
Duh, I see it now.

Doug fir decays faster than Thuja.
wisconsitom
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I wouldn't expect such an arrangement to last very long. Only truly weather-fast woods I'm aware of are redwood, "cedar", which is of course Thuja, and a range of tropical species...things like teak, ipe', and a bunch of others. I may be overlooking one or two.

And yes, Douglas fir is a member of the pine family, not a true fir, not a spruce, and like tj says above, actually somewhat closely related to Larix. That darn nature again, not following directions!

edited to add: Nick, the way you worded that reminds me of the spot in the movie Stand By Me where the boys are out on their adventure sitting around their camp fire and the chubby kid says, "Yeah...what the hell is Goofy"....
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
i have the pseudo named plants ... it means false ... so its a false tsuga ... what.. the nomenclature dude was too lazy to come up with an independent name ... sheesh ... dont even get me going on the maple that is a false plane/sycamore ... pseudoplanatas .. really??? a sycamore maple ... give me a break .. lol .. see below ... but i digress ... [i cant stop.. dude.. its either a maple.. or its a sycamore... it cant be both ...]

anyway.. to make your life even more complicated ... conifer wise anyway ... there are two type of DFs.... and its based on which side of the mountains they come from ... the ones on the west side .. will not live in z5 .... the more cold tolerant ones.. from the east side... do take my MI winters... go figure on that ... someone else might be able to give you the full latin on those two varieties ...

ken

https://www.google.com/search?q=pseudoplanatas&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=esk+sunset
severnside
8 years ago
My neighbour is building an eco friendly extension on their home. They are using Doug fir for the cladding.
wisconsitom
8 years ago
That^ should work okay. I was talking about at-grade installations and the like-situations where the wood is constantly in contact with moist ground. That won't work.
plantkiller_il_5
8 years ago
Use pressure treated pine,,,only way to go

ron

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Just what is a Douglas fir?

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

Comments (9)

Mike

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