Douglas fir is one of the worlds most important timber woods due to its very large size and because it is very heavy, dense, strong, and yet easy to work with.  It is a highly valued wood for building exterior structures because it is almost knot-free and can be sawn to great lengths.  It is often used for exterior structures such as pergolas, telephone wire poles and railway sleepers.  The color of Douglas fir is typically yellow-red, faint red, or a pinkish brown color. It is one of the most structurally sound soft woods available. A domestic wood, Douglas Fir is commonly used for veneers, plywood, and structural/construction lumber.  Douglas fir was named after the scientist David Douglas.  It is sometimes used as a Christmas tree even though it has to be sheared to a pyramidal shape.