Douglas-fir

PINE FAMILY

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Habitat & Elevation Moist slopes below 5,000′
Collection Leaf Tip: spring; Twig, Bark: all seasons
Indigenous Names Mountain Maidu: liham cha



Garden Section



Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii
Plant type Evergreen tree
Size 80′ – 160′ tall x 20′ – 30′ wide
Light Partial shade in youth
Water Drought tolerant to regular
Zone 4 to 10

Douglas-fir is a large, pyramidal conifer, growing 80′ – 160′ given regular water in the garden setting, and larger in the wild. Its branches are covered with dark-green 1½” needles. Branchlets are feathery and slightly drooping.[25] Cones are 2″ – 4″ long, oval and hang from the branches.[24] For best success, plant young trees raised from seeds of local trees.[25] They can tolerate dry or moist soil.[24]



Food Section



Fir Tip Sorbet

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup agave nectar, sugar or Manzanita sugar
  • ½ cup Douglas-fir tips plus a few extra to use as garnish
  • 1 tbsp gin (optional)

METHOD

  • Boil Fir tips in 1½ cups water for 10 minutes.
  • Keep liquid while straining out tips in a colander over a bowl. Set tips aside.
  • Return liquid to heat and add ½ cup water and agave or other sweetener.
  • Heat until agave dissolves and then let cool.
  • Add mixture to ice cream maker and follow manufacturer’s instructions to freeze.
  • Garnish sorbet with extra Fir tips.[4]

TIP If young Fir tips are not available, mature needles can be used.

NOTE Fir tips are high in Vitamin C.



Medicine Section



Burns
TEA Add 3 fresh leaf tips, high in Vitamin C, to hot water and steep for at least 15 minutes, according to the traditions of the Karok, Yurok and Thompson Indians.[4, 5,16] The Coast Salish people of British Columbia drank a tea from the ground bark for colds and respiratory problems.[2] To use the bark, collect fresh inner bark (from a fallen tree) by cutting a small 2″ strip of bark from the trunk and peeling back the layers until you can remove some of the inner bark (cambium). Grind, then boil for at least 30 minutes and drink 3 times daily.

NOTE As a dietary supplement, the bark from Douglas-fir along with species of Pine and the seeds from Grapes have been used as a source for Pycnogenol-like products. These products are taken preventively as antioxidants to improve circulation and boost the immune system.

Kidney Support
Boil 6 fresh leaf tips or twigs for 15 minutes. Strain and drink as a tea according to the Okanagan-Colville Indians.

Purification and Ceremony
Use branches for good luck and for cleansing prior to ceremony. Make tips into a tea and use externally as a purifying wash.

Rheumatism, Sore Muscles, Joint Inflammation
Tie small pieces of bark together, ignite them and direct smoke over area of pain or make tea from the leaves, strain, and add to hot bath.

Urinary Tract Infections
Boil 6 fresh leaf tips in 1 cup water for 15 minutes. Used as a urinary remedy by the Okanagan-Colville Indians.

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