Douglas fir — Identification, Uses and Properties
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco Pinaceae
Sawn timber appearance grading According to French standard NF EN 1611-1 (October 1999) Possible grading (on 2 sides): G2-0, G2-1, G2-2, G2-3, G2-4 Possible grading (on 4 sides): G4-0, G4-1, G4-2, G4-3, G4-4 Visual structure grading According to European standard EN 1912 (2012) and associated national standards (see explanatory note), strength classes C14, C16, C18, C20, C22, C24, C30 and C35 can be provided by visual grading. Strength classes C18, C24 and C30 can be provided by visual grading according to French standard NF B 52-001-1 (2011).
Texture: Medium. Grain: Straight. Heartwood is pinkish brown with veins.
SOFTWOOD NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE HEAVY CARPENTRY
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco
Family
Pinaceae
Wood type
Softwood
Local Names
Douglasie (Germany), Douglas fir (United States), Douglas, Pin d’Oregon, Sapin de Douglas (France), Lyon 2016; Built for: France Douglas; Architect: Patriarche & Co (Temporary micro-architecture display – Forum Bois Construction,)
Origin Region
North America, Europe
Main End Uses
Heavy carpentry · Shipbuilding · Veneer for back or face of plywood · Panelling · Glued Laminated · Exterior joinery · Interior joinery · House framing · Poles · Exterior panelling
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Pinkish brown
Texture
Medium
Grain
Straight
Sapwood
Clearly demarcated
Interlocked Grain
Absent
Notes
Heartwood is pinkish brown with veins.
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Log Description
Tree height
200 – 250 ft
Tree height
60 – 75 m
Diameter
50 to 80 cm cm
Sapwood Thickness
5 to 10 cm cm
Buoyancy
Not applicable
Log Conservation
Low (treatment necessary)
Diameter
19.7 to 31.5 in in
Sapwood Thickness
2 to 3.9 in in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
0.54 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
33.7 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
3.2
Janka Hardness
960 lbf
Janka Hardness
4,270 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.46 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
6.9 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.7 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.5
Fibre Saturation Point
27 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.19 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.11 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18,720 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
8,048 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
50 MPa
Crushing Strength
7,252 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
91 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
13,198 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
16,800 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
2,436,634 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Class 3-5 – moderately durable to not durable Cross sections of Pseudotsuga menziesiiDry Wood Borers
Class D - durable (sapwood demarcated, risk limited to sapwood)Termites
Class S - susceptibleTreatability
Class 4 – non-treatableUse Class
Class 3 - not in ground contact, outsidePreservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
This wood does not require any preservation treatmentTemporary Humidification
This wood requires appropriate preservation treatmentNotes
This species is listed in the NF EN 350 standard. Use class 3 only covers wood components without sapwood. According to the European standard NF EN 335 of May 2013, performance length might be modified by conditions in which it is used. Heartwood is not permeable to preservative products. Wood is used most of the time with sapwood which is moderately permeable to preservative products.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Rapid to normal
Risk Distortion
Slight risk
Risk Case Hardening
No known specific risk
Risk Checking
Slight risk
Risk Collapse
No known specific risk
Suggested Schedule
Schedule #1 (see explanatory note)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Normal
Tooth For Sawing
Ordinary or alloy steel
Machining Tools
Ordinary
Suitability Peeling
Good
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Risks of clogging of saw blades and tools due to resin pockets.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good
Fire Safety & Ratings
Euroclass
D-s2, d0 Default grading for solid wood that meets requirements of European standard NF EN 14081-1 (April 2016): structural graded timber in vertical uses and ceilings with minimal mean density of 0.35 and minimal thickness of 22 mm.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
No trade restrictions
Trade Notes
Coming from North West of America, Douglas fir is
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