Subalpine Fir vs Douglas Fir: Same Name, Different Wood

Subalpine fir and Douglas fir share a name, and that is about where the similarity ends. Douglas fir is our go-to structural wood. Subalpine fir is a high-country tree that we do not mill much, because it is not really structural and it does not last very long.

Why it is a different wood

Subalpine fir is soft and light, softer than our ponderosa pine, and its decay resistance is low. Put it under a heavy load or out in the weather and it will not hold up the way Doug fir does. When a project has to carry weight or stand up to the elements, we steer people to Douglas fir every time.

Where it can make sense

The one thing subalpine fir has going for it is price. It is a cheap log. For a project that does not need to carry much and will not sit outside, that can matter, so if budget is driving the job, ask us what we have and we will tell you honestly whether it fits.

Do not mix them up

If someone quotes you "fir," ask which one. A Doug fir beam and a subalpine fir beam are two very different things, and the difference shows up years later, not on delivery day.