Product Spotlight: Douglas Fir Cone Mini Wreath
One of the most common trees in the landscape out here is Douglas fir. While technically this tree is not a fir - the scientific name pseudotsuga menziesii denotes it as a "false hemlock" - that is what it is most commonly known as around here. Another interesting little fact about its name is that while the common name honours Scottish botanist David Douglas, the Latin in the scientific name pays homage to one of his rivals, Archibald Menzies.
There are a few different types of Douglas fir, and I'm not enough of an expert to know whether or not I am dealing with coast Douglas fir, or Rocky Mountain/Interior Douglas fir (pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). I would guess we have a mixture, but that being in the Interior of BC that the latter is more likely.
It is an important tree historically for the native tribes in the area who used it medicinally and also for building, or making tools and utensils. There is an interesting legend about a mouse getting trapped inside the cone and that being why it has its unique appearance.
It is still a really useful tree for all kinds of purposes today. Interestingly it has become an invasive species in New Zealand (so sorry if you live there and wanted one, but I will not be shipping any of these there in case it would make the problem worse). I do hear good things about some essential oil companies using the young New Zealand trees to make their Douglas fir oil - helping people get a quality oil, and helping alleviate the stress of the invasive trees on that ecosystem.
One of the things I love about the wreaths I make is how much they are a reflection of what my neighbourhood looks like this time of year. Rich evergreens and deep browns of the pine, fir, and spruce, golden dried grasses gone to seed, silvery green Russian olive, and sunflowers. I really love the red twiggy branches of the Saskatoon bushes this time of year, and I have something in the works for those as well.
For a wreath form I use a canning jar lid from the excess that builds up in my stash from all my preserving projects. The finished wreath is somewhere between 8 - 10 inches in diameter and can ship most places except those that have strict restrictions against shipping dried plant material (Australia, and New Zealand are two that immediately come to mind). If you are unsure about your country send me an email and we can make sure it will get to you.
If you love the Douglas fir Cone Mini Wreath as much as I do order one here today!
