Plant · GBIF taxon 2685776
Bigcone Douglas-fir
Pseudotsuga macrocarpaAlso known as Bigcone Spruce, Southern California Douglas-fir
Bigcone Douglas-firs cling to steep, rocky canyons across southern California's transverse and peninsular ranges. Unlike most conifers, this resilient tree can survive low-to-moderate intensity wildfires by re-sprouting directly from dormant buds tucked deep beneath its thick, corky bark. Its remarkably large woody cones hang heavy from upper branches, providing essential seeds for local scrub jays and small mountain mammals.
EvergreenFire-adaptedNative Tree
1 / 7—observations
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic (Sunlight, water, soil minerals)
Predators
- Bark beetles
- Douglas-fir beetle
- Rodents (seed predators)
ThreatsUnnatural fire frequency, severe drought, bark beetle outbreaks
HabitatsMontane chaparral, steep canyon ravines, mixed oak woodland
Life span200–600 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPinaceae
- SpeciesPseudotsuga macrocarpa
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its giant woody cones, thick dark bark, and location in steep chaparral canyons of southern California.
- Support conservation
- Avoid compacting roots near trunk bases and strictly follow all fire safety regulations when visiting its mountain habitat.
Responsible observation
- Cone Spotting: Look for heavy woody cones up to 18 cm long featuring three-pointed bracts hanging from branch tips.
- Fire Adaptations: Look closely at mature trunks to notice thick, corky bark designed to insulate dormant buds from fires.
- Trail Safety: Stick to established trails when exploring steep canyon habitats to prevent erosion around shallow root systems.
Co-occurring Conifer (c) Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Henrik Kibak · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) josh jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Danny Steaven, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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