Canadian Douglas fir, boards 40x140 mm, STK

Specification points

Douglas fir from British Columbia

Genuine Canadian Douglas fir (botanical name Pseudotsuga menziesii) is the second tallest coniferous tree in the world after Coastal Redwood, which made British Columbia famous as an area with sources of exceptional quality wood. Douglas fir grows from the northern half of the province to northwestern Alberta and extends most north to the Queen Charlotte Islands. Tall Douglas fir trees with wide trunks with a small number of branches provide a fine-grained structure of pure wood in long lengths for production and a wide range of high-strength construction products.

Canadian Douglas fir grading

Canadian Douglas firis graded according to the requirements of use and appearance into several grades. The presented grades are ranked from highest to lowest.
Clear 85/15 (VG/MG)
Cross Arm
Select Structural
STK 1 & BTR
STK 2 & BTR
Standard / utility

European vs Canadian Douglas fir

This tree has been grown in Europe since 1827, when its seeds were brought to Scotland by botanist David Douglas. Since then, it has spread widely throughout Europe due to its rapid growth. It is important to note, however, that European Douglas firs do not achieve the unique properties and quality of wood of long-lived Douglas firs grown in British Columbia due to their rapid growth and completely different climatic conditions. Due to their rapid growth, European Douglas firs are used for rapid afforestation. Douglasie supplied by us comes from British Columbia with long-lived trees.

The tallest long-lived trees in the world

The Canadian Douglas fir is the second tallest coniferous tree in the world after the evergreen redwood. Canadian Douglas fir trees usually grow to a height of 60-75 m and more. In old stands, there are frequent trees with a diameter of about 2 m. The maximum height is usually 100-120 m with a diameter of 4-6 m, which are the highest documented values. The highest discovered Douglas fir was defeated and measured 133 meters, making it the tallest upright tree ever found. Douglas firs have routinely lived for more than 500 years and some specimens for more than 1,000 years.

Beautiful wood texture, color and weathering

Douglas fir is the strongest coniferous tree species in British Columbia, characterized by strength, rigidity and durability. Spring and summer growths have a significant difference in color. Summer growths have darker colored parts. These color transitions, characteristic of Douglas, between individual increments of wood are visible especially during tangential flat cutting of wood. Douglas Fir boasts a remarkable uniformity of appearance. Thanks to its straight fiber and overall orange color, which comes from a mixture of creamy yellow and reddish brown, it can give either a rustic or a remarkably modern look. Wood is a natural material with a natural range of color tones. Color differences are characteristic of wood and are allowed. Due to UV radiation, climate and humidity, wood weatheres and changes its original color. With a dry environment, it changes to a gray shade and the effect of moisture or fall dirt will cause blackening and a color change to a dark shade. The time and degree of weathering depends on the method of treatment, location, local conditions, roofing, exposure of the wood to the weather and other influences on the wood.

Natural resistance

Thanks to its comprehensive protective substances, Douglas firs provide natural resistance to decomposition and resistance to weathering. Due to this, according to the project and use, it is possible to leave this tree even without protective coatings. Thanks to its usability class, it can be used for outdoor projects without direct contact with the ground. Douglas fir turned out to be more than just good-looking wood. Its durability and resistance to rot and insects make it a popular choice for outdoor projects such as porches, terraces, facade cladding. It is also naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects. To increase durability, it is recommended to treat the wood surface with a suitable water-repellent coating. You will achieve very good results with natural Saicos wood oils. Saicos oils can be selected from both colorless and colored pigmented shades with increased UV protection.

Properties

Douglas fir has a good ability to dry quickly and evenly during processing. When drying, it remains flat. Wood is stable with good resistance to decay in its natural state. Douglas fir allows good machinability with power tools, allows easy nailing, screwing or gluing. Douglas fir accepts most colors and stains well and easily. Douglas fir has a higher strength than radiata pine for the flexural strength at the level at which the design requirements are set. Douglas fir is prized for excellent strength and reliability. Douglas fir is known mainly for its tough fibers and dense grain structure. As with all other woody plants exposed to external influences, Douglas fir can also be associated with the occurrence of dry cracks due to moisture absorption and drying. Longitudinal cracks and cracks at the ends are formed on its surface, depending on the outdoor climatic conditions. Avoid contact of wood with metal or metal dust, which creates blue-black spots on the wood. Use only stainless steel fasteners for contact with and fastening the wood.

Wide range of uses

Douglas fir wood is widely used and is a long-term wood certified by designers and builders, especially for construction purposes. Due to its natural weather resistance, Douglas fir is widely used for outdoor applications such as facade cladding, fences, terraces, interior cladding, trusses, beams, pillars, sleepers, house structures and many other areas where structural strength is paramount. Due to the fact that Douglas fir provides high strength, it is suitable for gluing, therefore it is commonly used in the production of glued structural profiles. Due to its stability, durability, beautiful appearance and easy processing, Douglas fir is suitable for the production of window and door frames, moldings, cabinets and other construction joinery products. Hardness, strength, stability and durability of Douglas fir is used in the industrial sector, for the production of tanks, vats, storage containers.

Medicinal extractive substances of Douglas fir

Douglas fir contains Essential oils which are used in aromatherapy for its antibacterial effects, for the healing of arthritis, renal asthenia, for skin and other compresses and for rinsing the oral cavity.

Responsible logging

Intensive forest protection in British Columbia pays attention to reforestation, responsible logging and forest management, which is a scarce resource that must be carefully managed and constantly renewed. Today, modern Forest Stewardship practices are in place that provide a natural environment for young Douglas fir trees and provide conditions for growth and afforestation.

Storage

When storing wood before and during installation, make sure that the wood is not exposed to direct sunlight, rain, snow or other external influences. It was well covered or best stored in covered unheated areas, with relative humidity values ​​identical to outdoor humidity. At the same time, sufficient interleaving of the wood with spacers was ensured, enabling air ventilation and prevention of the formation of mold. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in twisting, deformation or other changes to the wood during storage.