Tree ID please?

somegeek

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Found this little guy in on the side of the road in a ditch when I stopped to, uh, answer nature's call. Can someone please tell me what kind of tree this is? The root system was pretty solid... if I had a yard feature to hang a tree off the side, this would fit the bill I think.

Appreciate any input.

somegeek
 

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mcpesq817

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From the second pic, it looks a lot like a douglas fir I just added to my collection. From the first pic, not so sure.
 

wvbonsai

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I think we can safely say it is NOT a Colorade Spruce(picea pungens). The buds that are setting along the branches and the terminals (at the branch tips) look too dark and tightly furled.
 

Klytus

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Probably not a Pseudotsuga X Abies either.

If it's assumed to be Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca then it seems to fall outside it's range of Eastern Washington State and into Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii range by several hundred miles?

Do they do a lot of logging in the east and truck the timber to a port in the west?

Here is the glauca distribution map.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/county?state_name=Washington&statefips=53&symbol=PSMEG
 
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plant_dr

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I'll cast my vote that it is a good ol' Douglas Fir. I grew up in western Washington and they were everywhere.
 

Vance Wood

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I'll cast my vote that it is a good ol' Douglas Fir. I grew up in western Washington and they were everywhere.

I agree, look at the buds, this is definitely Douglas Fir. Spruce buds are more rounded as are those of true firs. Dougs are the only connifer I know of that have buds this shape, other than some of the Pines which this obviously is not.
 
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Quick question: when you pull a needle and try to rub it between your fingers, is it flat or almost round? Fir needles are flat and will not roll between your fingers.
 

Tachigi

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Chris has a great tell for spruce vs fir. Another is fir is much softer not as bristly also fir's do not have spiked ends there more of a rounded needle on the tip
 
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Vance Wood

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Douglas Fir is not a true Fir. Actually Douglas Fir is a species unto itself and is not closely related to anything else though it resembles both Spruce and Fir. This tree is definitely Douglas Fir. Again; the visual tell is in the shape of the buds, definitely Doug Fir.
 

ghues

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I'll cast my vote that it is a good ol' Douglas Fir. I grew up in western Washington and they were everywhere.

That's my vote too......(Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) based on your pictures especially the needles, and buds.
Unfortunatley I've never found a decent one for Bonsai and I've looked for years. One issue you'll have is that they keep their smooth immature bark for a long time (decades in fact).
Good Luck.
gman
 
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