Biodiversity Atlas LA

[ About this species ]

The bigcone douglas-fir's relative, Pseudotsuga menziesii, is a popular Christmas tree species.

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Species Description: Bigcone douglas-fir is an evergreen conifer and endemic to Southern California, where it thrives in the Mediterranean climate. It can grow 50 to 100 feet tall, with branches as long as 20 to 50 feet. The cones are 4-7 inches long [1]. They have long lifespans—trees commonly reach 250 years—and the oldest known tree is believed to be 600-700 years old. They provide habitat for many species, including black-tailed deer and black bears [2], and its seeds provide food for small birds and mammals.

Fire: Bigcone douglas-fir is able to resprout after fire, a rare ability for native California conifers [3]. It also resists bark beetle attack, unlike its pine tree relatives, which are often targeted by the beetles after fire. While their thick bark (which can be 6-8 inches thick) can protect tree trunks from severe fires [2], fires can kill seeds and, depending on the severity of the fire, very young seedlings and saplings. Very frequent fires can also stress trees and eventually reduce their ability to resprout, and may reduce population sizes.

Current Status: Because bigcone douglas-fir have a limited distribution, and are generally difficult to access, there is no longer a commercial market for its timber [2]. Populations are currently stable, and for several decades, the LA County Department of Forestry tried to use bigcone douglas-fir for watershed restoration. The species exhibits resistance to drought, fire, insects, decay, and ozone damage [4], and it is believed that it would be able to survive in even drier conditions. In fact, these trees are known to invade surrounding environments (like chaparral and oak woodlands) if unchecked by fire or other disturbances [5].