Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

The Bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa) is an evergreen conifer native to the mountains of southern California, occurring from the San Rafael Mountains in central Santa Barbara County and the southwest of the Tehachapi Mountains of southwestern Kern County, south to Julian in San Diego County. It is notable for having the largest (by far) cones in its genus, hence the name. Bigcone Douglas-fir typically grows from 15-30 meter (50-100 feet) in height and 0.5-1.5 meter (2-5 feet) in trunk diameter. The growth form is straight, with a conical crown from 12-30 meter (40-100 feet) broad, and a strong and spreading root system. The bark is deeply ridged, composed of thin, woodlike plates separating heavy layers of cork; bark of trees over 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter is from 15-20 centimeter (6-8 inches) thick. The main branches are long and spreading with pendulous side shoots.

Plant type

Tree

Size

24 - 144 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Calscape icon
Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water

Low, Moderate

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Propagation

For propagating by seed: 1 mo. stratification. No treatment may give satisfactory germination.

Sunset Zones

2, 3*, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 10*, 11, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*

Site type

Slopes

Plant communities

Chaparral, Yellow Pine Forest

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 47 likely

Confirmed Likely

Choristoneura carnana

Common Gray

Anavitrinella pampinaria