When it came to adopting a state tree, Oregonians didn’t fool around. They adopted the backbone of the Pacific Northwest’s immense timber industry, the Douglas fir, in 1939.
Growing tall and straight, Douglas firs produce wood that’s stiff and moderate in weight, making it of great value for constructing buildings. In proportion to its dead weight, Douglas Fir is said to be stronger than concrete.
Douglas Firs generally grow 180 to 200 feet in height and four to six feet in diameter. Some giants may measure 325 feet in height, with a circumference of ten to fifteen feet.
Oregon’s state tree is named for Scotch botanist David Douglas. He was sent by the Royal Horticultural Society to study the tree in the 19th century. Douglas was also the first to collect Oregon’s state flower, the Oregon grape, and send it back to England.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
