Discovery of Famous Oregon Pine Tree

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7198, 22 April 1930, Page 3

Discovery of Famous Oregon Pine Tree

THE DOUGLAS FIR. The discovery of the famous Douglas fir, known in New Zealand as “Oregon pine,” often credited to Sir James Douglas, first Governor of British Columbia, mas made by David Douglas, a Scottish gardener, born at Scone in 1798. His interest in trees and plants won for him a commission from the Royal Horticultural Society to go on a scientific expedition to the Pacific coast of North America in 1825. He arrived at Fort Vancouver, on the Columbia River, after a voyage round Cape Horn. From there he explored the wilderness that is now Oregon, and was the first to give the world accurate information regarding the marvellous coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest. Within a few years ,with interest definitely awakened to the wonders of the flora of the Pacific Coast, Mr Douglas led a second expedition to the West. Landing at Monterey, Carifomia, his inland progress was frustrated by hostile Indians. Nevertheless, he went on, and, fifty miles north of the California border, ho discovered the queen of California pines, the sugar pine (Pinus lambertiona). Noticing Indians with tobacco pouches full of edible seeds, he asked their source, but they were suspicious and would not help him. When ho discovered the pine ho found the cones were 109 ft. high so he shot a few 'down with his rifle. This brought, the Indians in war paint, ready to fight; but Mr Douglas convinced them that (his rifle would be a very terrible weapon if they molested him. They let him go, and from his interest in plants and flowers they called him “the man of grass.’.’ Mr Douglas met a tragic end on the Sandwich Islands, where he led a third expedition. He fell into a trap that had been dug for wild animals. A bull had fallen in shortly before him, and Mr Douglas was an easy victim to the maddened animal’s rage. Rescuers found his dog standing guard over his bundle, which he left some distance away.