Most Oregon conifers belong to the large pine family (Pinaceae), which includes the hemlocks, true firs, spruces, Douglas-fir and pines. The true cedars of the Old World are also in that family. Many Oregon trees commonly called cedars are members of the cypress family (Cupressaceae).
Contents
What are 5 types of conifers found in Oregon?
5 Conifer Types of Trees to Plant in Your Oregon Yard
- Douglas Fir. The Douglas fir, known scientifically as Pseudotsuga menziesii, has been the official state tree of Oregon since 1936.
- Ponderosa Pine.
- Grand Fir.
- Western Hemlock.
- Western Red Cedar.
Are there coniferous forests in Oregon?
The official state tree, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), is the state’s most abundant conifer, dominating forests west of the Cascades. Above: The distinctive cone of Douglas-fir, Oregon’s state tree.
What types of pine trees are in Oregon?
6 Great Types of Pine Trees in Oregon
- Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
- Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta)
- Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi)
- Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana Douglas)
- Washoe Pine (Pinus washoensis)
- White Bark Pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.)
What pine trees grow in the Pacific Northwest?
Ponderosa, Lodgepole, Western, and Whitebark pines grow throughout the mountains while Jeffery, Knobcone, Sugar and Limber pines can be found in the mountains of southwestern Oregon. Spruces have needles much akin to Douglas firs but they are sharp and pointed.
Is Douglas a fir?
The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae. It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine.
Douglas fir.
| Douglas-fir | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Pinales |
| Family: | Pinaceae |
| Genus: | Pseudotsuga |
| Species: | P. menziesii |
How do I identify a Douglas fir tree?
Bark: Young bark is gray and smooth with resin blisters like the true firs. On large trees, you can usually identify a Douglas fir by the bark alone. The thick bark is deeply furrowed, more than any other tree in the region. The color is gray to brown and usually brown at the bottom of the furrows.
Is blue spruce native to Oregon?
Note: There are three spruce (Picea) species native to Oregon, namely: Engelmann spruce (P. engelmannii) – ordinarily grows in mountains above 4,000 ft, often in cold wet environments. Therefore, it is not found in the Coast Range of Oregon and Washington.
What grows on trees in Oregon?
- Red Alder (Alnus rubra)
- Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)
- Cascara (Rhamnus purshiana)
- Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)
- Pacific Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)
- Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
- Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
- Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
What trees grow on the Oregon coast?
Trees
- Acer circinatum, Vine Maple F.
- Acer macrophyllum, Big-leaf Maple F.
- Alnus rubra, Red Alder F.
- Arbutus menziesii, Madrone B.
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Port Orford Cedar F.
- Fraxinus latifolia, Oregon Ash F,W.
- Malus fusca (Pyrus fusca), western crabapple F.
- Picea sitchensis, Sitka Spruce F.
Where do ponderosa pines grow in Oregon?
Hardy to USDA Zone 3 British Columbia to Mexico, east to South Dakota and Texas. In the Pacific Northwest it is most commonly found east of the Cascades, however in Oregon it is common in the western valleys of the Willamette, Umpqua, and Rogue Rivers.
Is Birch native to Oregon?
Birch species native to Oregon prefer moist, cool soil and are found along streams or at higher elevations. Birch are often planted as landscape trees in areas receiving too much direct sunlight and/or little or no irrigation.
What are the big pine trees in Oregon?
The tree named “Phalanx” was climbed and measured by tape in October by Portland arborist Will Koomjian. At 268.3 feet it’s the world’s tallest pine tree of any species. Located on the Wild Rivers Ranger District, Phalanx is surrounded by a number of other ponderosas over 250 feet in height.
What is the difference between a Douglas fir and a western hemlock?
Hemlock is usually smaller than fir, with few exceptions. It can reach 33 to 197 feet in height (50 to 100 on average), while fir can reach height of 32 to 262 feet (100 to 150 on average). Fir has longer (3 inches on average) and more flat needles compared with hemlock.
How can you tell hemlock from fir?
Needles have 2 white “racing stripes” on the underside. Fir needles have similar stripes. Conical to egg-shaped (more or less); fine branches give this tree a lacier appearance than spruce, fir or pine.
Is Spruce stronger than Douglas fir?
Spruce is lighter and softer than Douglas fir, has a straight grain, and is well-suited for basic construction projects.
Spruce Wood Vs. Douglas Fir: Comparison Table.
| Parameter | Spruce Wood | Douglas Fir |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Janka Scale) | 510 | 620 |
| Strength | Strong | Strong |
What does Doug fir look like?
Douglas-fir needles are single (1) on the twig, tips are blunt or slightly rounded, flat and two- sided, same color on both sides, soft to the touch, needles are ¾ to 1 ¼ inches long, and very fragrant.Bark on young trees look very much like Subalpine fir, becoming more grayish and rigged as tree matures.
Is fir a pine tree?
Although both fir and pine trees are conifers, bearing cones, and members of the same plant family, Pinaceae, their plant group names are different. Fir trees are members of the genus Abies; whereas pine trees belong to Pinus.
What does ponderosa pine look like?
Ponderosa Pines are easily recognized by their tall, straight, thick trunks, clad in scaled, rusty-orange bark that has split into big plates.Ponderosa Pine bark smells like vanilla or butterscotch. The 4-8 inch long evergreen needles, thick and flexible, three to a bundle, droop gracefully from their branches.
How can you tell the difference between fir trees?
The needles easily roll between your finger tips. Spruce needles are spiny and sharp (think SSS). Cones hang down from the branches. Fir tree needles also grow individually on the branch but the needles are soft and flat and don’t roll between your fingertips.
How can you tell the difference between spruce and fir?
To tell spruce and fir trees apart, it helps to know that spruce needles are sharply pointed, square and easy to roll between your fingers. Fir needles, on the other hand, are softer, flat and cannot be rolled between your fingers. Spruce needles are attached to small, stalk-like woody projections.
