Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is one of the world’s best-known and most widely used wood species.  The sapwood is light in colour and of narrow width.  The heartwood ranges from yellowish to reddish-brown.  Earlywood and latewood have a pronounced difference in colour, the latewood having darker, more sharply defined bands.  This colour difference results in a distinctive grain pattern when rotary peeled that will “redden” over time when exposed to light.  It is also tight knotted and close-grained, adding the bonus of beauty to its structural capabilities. Due to its strength, Douglas Fir is primarily used for building and construction.  It is one of the finest species for heavy structural purposes, including glulam beams and roof trusses.  Structurally, it is used in the form of plywood, lumber, timbers and pilings.  It is hard durable and resistant to abrasion, making it ideal for uses where wear is a factor, as in concrete forming applications.  Even in wet service conditions such as concrete formwork, Douglas Fir is one of the strongest softwood species available; stable, stiff, with high strength values in bending, tension, horizontal sheer and compression. The rich visual quality, fine texture and straight attractive grain pattern make Douglas Fir ideal for use in fine craftsmanship and joinery such as for custom cabinets, doors, window and door casings, mantels, stairs, baseboards and furniture.  This species is well known for its workability and machining qualities. It provides a tough surface that will hold a finish, maintain its appearance under extreme wear. Douglas Fir’s strength, beauty and toughness are all prime reasons for choosing this long-lasting species for plywood.