The Douglas fir is a native of North America growing from California up to British Columbia. It was introduced in Europe in 1828 and is widely cultivated today in the woods and parks of western and central, Europe because of its rapid growth and high quality wood.

It is now found in broad-leaved woods from England to Greece, eastwards to the western Himalayas and South to North Africa. It is estimated that there are about 30,000 of these trees in Germany. In France it is most abundant in the Vosges and the foothills of the Alps and in Great Britain it can be found from southern England to Scotland and in Ireland.

The wood is of high quality, with a great expanse of reddish-brown heartwood. It is very durable and is much used in the building of boats, wall-panelling, light furniture, wooden staircases, etc.

The Scots pine is widespread throughout most of Europe from Spain and Greece to the Polar Circle in the north, and to Siberia in the east. It is an important ornamental as well as forest tree. It attains heights of 30 to 40 metres and the crown is placed high up on the trunk. The bark is thick and furrowed on the lower part of the trunk and an attractive orange-brown on the upper part. The deep root system provides it with good anchorage, making it possible for it to grow even on steep, stone cliffs and in sandy situations. The needles grow in pairs.

The silver fir is one of the largest of European trees, reaching heights of more than 60 metres in virgin forests and living for five hundred years. Its name is derived from the smooth, silvery-grey bark. The buds are non-resinous. The needles are arranged in two opposite ranks on the twig, leaving a circular leaf scar upon falling. The yellow male flowers are clustered on the underside of the previous year’s shoots. the female flowers, resembling small green candles, are borne on the upper part of the crown. By autumn they develop into cylindrical cones that mature in late September and then disintegrate.

The European silver fir grows well in shade when young, but requires moist soil and clean air, and is susceptible to severe winter frosts. In drier climates, and in areas with polluted atmosphere, it is on the decline. It is, therefore, not suited for planting in city parks. The wood is soft and light and is used mainly in the building industry.