What looks like a needle doesn't necessarily have to prick and hurt us. The needles of the Douglas fir definitely combine a number of properties that, in our opinion, are perceived as positive. Read more about it below.
What are the properties of Douglas fir needles?
Douglas fir needles are 3-4 cm long, soft, blunt, solitary and green, with a delicate tone in spring and later a blue-green shade. They give off a pleasant lemon-like scent, and young needles are edible and can be used in tea, smoothies, flavoring spirits or as a spice.
Shape and length of the needles
The “leaves” of the Douglas fir have the typical needle shape that is characteristic of all conifers. The name already reveals that.
- Douglas fir trees have needles that stand alone
- They are shaped slightly differently than pine needles
- the base is not thickened
- they are flat and flexible
- Unlike spruces, they sit directly on the branch
The needles of the Douglas fir are about 3 to 4 cm long.
The different green colors
The color of the needles is of course green, but the tone varies. When new growth occurs in spring, it shines in a delicate green that stands out clearly from old needles.
The older Douglas fir needles are, the more they darken until the color finally reaches a blue-green shade.
A pleasant scent
When you wander through a coniferous forest, there is usually a spicy scent in the air that emanates from the green needles. The Douglas fir needles also have essential oils that give them a smell.
If you want to smell it intensely, just rub a few needles between your fingers.
- an aromatic scent develops
- it is perceived as pleasant
- is lemon-like
The tender feeling when touched
Douglas fir needles are soft and blunt. There is no risk of skin injuries in the event of intentional or unintentional contact. The young shoots are so soft that they can be described as delicate.
If a Douglas fir crosses your path in spring, you can experience the soft feeling with your own hands. Provided it is a young Douglas fir whose needles do not hang out of reach.
Needles, a delicious thing
Not only is the spruce not poisonous, many of its parts are even edible, delicious and extremely he althy. Young needles in particular can be used in many ways:
- for making tea
- into a green smoothie
- for flavoring spirits
- dried and ground as a spice
The essential oils of Douglas fir needles are also valued in herbal medicine and cosmetics production.
