Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Pseudotsuga taxifolia Britton

Very large, densely branched evergreen conifer, the lower branches of mature trees often resting on the ground, bark thick, corky and fissured, cones pendulous, to 10cm long.  To 80m or more.  A very important source of timber.  [RHSD, Hortus]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Britain in 1826.  [JD]. 

History at Camden Park

Not listed in any of the catalogues.  Abies douglassii was included among desiderata in a letter to John Lindley dated 15th February 1848 [MP A2933-1, p.157] and to Sir William Hooker on 11th February 1848 [MP A2933-1, p.165] but was not marked ‘arrived’ on Macarthur’s copies.  It is marked with a ‘c’ in an 1836 Loddiges’ catalogue held at Camden Park.  This code elsewhere denotes grown at Camden, it seems likely therefore that it was grown in the gardens before 1848 and probably lost. 

Notes

Published Jan 24, 2009 - 03:11 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 03:31 PM

Family Pinaceae
Category
Region of origin

Western North America

Synonyms
  • Pseudosuga mucronata (Raf.) Sudw.
  • Pseudotsuga douglasii Carrière
  • Abies douglasii Lindl.
  • Pinus douglassii Lamb.
Common Name

Douglas Fir, British Columbia fir, Oregon pine, Red fir, Douglas spruce

Name in the Camden Park Record

Abies douglasii 

Confidence level high