Douglas-fir

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) is a large conifer of the montane zone in Banff National Park. Despite its common name, it is not a true fir; genetically distinct from Abies.

Identification: Thick, deeply furrowed bark (reddish-brown); soft, flat needles (2–3 cm) with two white stripes beneath; distinctive cones with three-pointed bracts (“mouse tails”). Mature trees can exceed 40 m height.

Habitat: Montane (1,350–1,650 m); valley floors, south-facing slopes. Often with lodgepole pine and trembling aspen. Prefers warmer, drier sites than spruce or subalpine fir; reaches its northern limit in the Bow Valley.

Ecology: Important for old-growth structure; provides nesting for birds and cover for mammals. Seeds eaten by squirrels and birds. Fire-sensitive; mature trees often survive due to thick bark.