Douglas Fir: The Story of the West’s Most Remarkable Tree

"Concluding with an enticing visitors’ guide to notable Douglas fir specimens throughout the West, this book offers lively perspectives on a tree that we perhaps take for granted too often." -- Coast Weekend

Westerners familiar with their forests may think they know the Douglas fir--but how well do they? Douglas firs are found in the continental northwest from British Columbia to as far south as Oaxaca, Mexico. They flourish in the Cascades, Rocky Mountains, Sierra, and other mountain ranges, as well as in desert valleys.

Incredibly hardy, this tree adopts various strategies to occupy more kinds of habitats than any other native tree, even becoming an uncontrollable invader in some regions, crowding out ponderosa pines, western larch, aspen groves, and mountain grasslands. Yet the utility of this noble species is immense. Douglas firs yield more high-quality construction lumber than any other tree in the world.

Most intriguing of all, perhaps, is that the story of the Douglas fir has gone untold. Douglas Fir fills this literary gap and presents an engaging profile of the Douglas fir and its relationship to people, commerce, culture, and wilderness.

Stephen F. Arno holds a PhD in forestry and plant science and is retired from a career as a research forester with the US Forest Service. Since 1973, he has authored or co-authored six books about forests and trees, including two Mountaineers Books titles, Northwest Trees and Timberline.

Carl E. Fiedler has a PhD in forestry and ecology and is a retired professor from the University of Montana. Steve and Carl have coauthored two previous books together. They reside in Missoula, Montana.