ISHS Acta Horticulturae 615: IV International Conifer Conference
THE MAN WHO MADE PINES: DAVID DOUGLAS AND HIS CONIFER INTRODUCTIONS FROM THE PACIFIC NORTH WEST |
| Author: | S. House |
| Keywords: | champion trees, forestry, plant hunting, seed collection, tree specimens |
| Abstract:
1999 was the bicentenary of the birth of the Scotsman David Douglas (1799-1834), who became known as one of the most intrepid of all the remarkable plant hunters of the past 200 years. Douglas travelled to the Pacific Northwest of America as the first botanical explorer to the region and came across a wealth of plants. He sent back prodigious amounts of seeds and specimens, ultimately introducing some 240 new species of plants to Britain. However, it was his conifer introductions that were to become linked with his name and which today have made the biggest impact. He wrote back to his mentor, Sir William Hooker, “you will begin to think that I manufacture pines at my pleasure”, describing the wealth of trees he came across. He introduced Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, Noble fir, Grand fir and Monterey pines and many others to Britain where they were received with great excitement; he also further stimulated the growing enthusiasm for landscaping with trees. His observations on the potential forestry value of these trees were also visionary. | |
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