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California Native Plant

Pseudotsuga macrocarpa

Big Cone Douglas Fir

Plant photo of: Pseudotsuga macrocarpa
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Information by: laspilitas.com        Photographer:

 

Description

Bigcone Spruce, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, is native to the mountains of Southern California from 1500' to 6000'. At the lower elevations, these trees hide in north side ravines along the desert edge. Bigcone Spruce is visible in spots from the I-5 and the 118 on the north side of the L.A. basin. In San Diego County, it's visible on Palomar and on some of canyon roads leading to the desert. Some of the areas that it clings to are amazing; everything looks dead and there's these evergreens. But it also grows in some of the coastal mountains such as Santa Ynez Mts, the mountains around Ojai and Mt. Wilson. This evergreen tree grows to 40-60' tall with a 20-30' width. (But in a home garden, expect 10-15 feet after ten years.) Very dark green foliage. I think this tree could be used throughout California as a drought tolerant tree to replace the non-drought tolerant Coast Redwood. Although the tree is hardy to -10 or below, I'd not try it in really cold spots. It would be happier in Los Angeles, not Tahoe. It might make it in Tahoe, but other trees would do better. This California native tree should be more widely planted. One of our customers planted this tree from a gallon into an old sand dune in Nipomo, in 7 years it had grown to maybe 10 foot tall and was covered with cones. He mulched the ground with chips from the local arborist and watered a few times the first year. No water system, no soil amending. beach sand, and the tree was beautiful. A perfect little Christmas Tree that tolerates containers. Flowers are insignificant.

 

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

Height Range

12-25'

Width Range

25-40', 40-60'

Flower Color

n/a

Flower Season

n/a

Leaf Color

Dark Green

Bark Color

Grey

Fruit Color

Brown

Fruit Season

Fall

Sun

Full, Half

Water

Very Low, Low

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

Sandy

Soil Condition

Poor, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Ranch, Seascape, Woodland

Accenting Features

Silhouette, Specimen

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Location Uses

Background, Lawn, Patio, Park, Roadside, Walls / Fences

Special Uses

Container, Hedge, Screen, Wind Break

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

Water Saving Tip:

Move turf away form sidewalks and pavement.

Instead plant shrubs or groundcovers next to the pavement, and water with low-flow drip or bubbler system to eliminate runoff from turf sprinklers