Common Name: Douglas Fir
Scientific Name: Pseudotsuga menziesii
Family: Pinaceae
Origin: Southeastern United States
Douglas fir is a large tree that grows up to 50-80 feet tall. In nature, it can reach to heights of around 300 feet. The bark of young trees is smoother and can produce resin blisters. Older more mature tree bark is much thicker and consists of more cork. As trees mature, branches even out and the tree presents itself in a more cylindrical shape rather than the traditional Christmas tree shape. The dark green needles of the douglas fir grow to around 1.5 inches long and are flat shaped. The most notable characteristic of this conifer is their cones. In between the scales of this tree's cones are three-pointed protrusions or bracts which appear like mice hind legs and tails. So from the outside, the cones appear like they have mice trying to hide under the scales of the cones.