Douglas fir, also known as Douglas tree, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce, can grow hundreds of feet tall and the oldest species can live more than 1,000 years.
Douglas fir is the state tree of Oregon.
The species is found from western British Columbia to central California, according to Portland.gov.
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According to Forestry and Land Scotland, the Douglas fir was named after Scottish botanist David Douglas. In 1827, Douglas sent the first Douglas fir seeds from North America to England.
Scientific name of Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, The name is derived from the name of the person who discovered the species.
Douglas firs can grow hundreds of feet tall and live hundreds of years, sometimes over 1,000 years. (Getty Images)
Douglas fir was discovered on Vancouver Island in 1791 by Archibald Menzies.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, there are two types of trees: coastal Douglas fir and Rocky Mountain Douglas fir.
Coastal Douglas fir tends to grow to be the larger of the two.
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They grow on average to about 250 feet and are 5 to 6 feet in diameter, according to the federation.
Rocky Mountain Douglas fir has the same diameter, but it typically doesn't grow as tall. Typically, they reach about 160 feet, the federation says.
According to the National Park Service, the Douglas fir is the second tallest tree species in the world. The species that holds the number one spot is the coastal sequoia.
Douglas fir seeds are found inside the cone and are eaten by small mammals. (Education Images/Universal Images Group, Getty Images)
Coastal sequoias typically grow 300 to 350 feet tall, according to the National Park Service.
The largest Douglas fir on the coast typically lives at least 500 years, but some have lived for more than 1,000 years, the federation said.
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Rocky Mountain Douglas firs usually don't live very long, usually less than 400 years.
Douglas fir provides habitat for many creatures, and its seeds and sap are food sources.
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The seeds are typically munched by chipmunks, red squirrels and other similarly sized mammals, and bears eat tree sap, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
Douglas fir is also a valuable wood resource used for architectural purposes and is often used to make furniture.
Douglas fir trees fill many Christmas tree farms. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Many Douglas fir trees are used as Christmas trees.
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Fraser fir, noble fir, and balsam fir are other species commonly used as Christmas trees.
