The Tree

The heartwood is light reddish-brown in colour, usually quite distinct from the lighter-coloured sapwood. The abrupt change and contrast in colour between early-wood and late-wood bands, produce a prominent growth ring figure which is a feature of plain-sawn surfaces and of rotary-cut veneer. The wood from trees grown in the UK appears to have rather less resin then the North American wood, and to some extent is of more rapid growth. The average weight of dried timber from either source is about 530 kg/m3.

The Timber

The texture is medium, the timber has a straight grain.

Strength and Durability

European Douglas Fir is a strong and moderately durable timber. Green oak timber is stronger than European Douglas Fir.

Physical Properties

European Douglas Fir is difficult to work and machine than imported material due to the greater incidence of hard knots which can be troublesome especially when loosened, while fast grown stock can cause problems in sawing, drilling, mortising, and planning, due to tearing and splintering of the relatively soft early-wood.

Care must be therefore be taken in finishing, but good results can be obtained. It can be glued satisfactorily, and although tending to split, can be nailed and screwed.