Pinaceae Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco

Douglas Fir

Hesquiat - Other, Fuel

Use documented by:
Turner, Nancy J. and Barbara S. Efrat, 1982, Ethnobotany of the Hesquiat Indians of Vancouver Island, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 44

View all documented uses for Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco

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Scientific name: Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco
USDA symbol: PSMEM (View details at USDA PLANTS site)
Common names: Douglas Fir
Family: Pinaceae
Family (APG): Pinaceae
Native American Tribe: Hesquiat
Use category: Other
Use sub-category: Fuel
Notes: Pitch laden bark and limbs used as an excellent fuel. In Hesquiat mythology, Black Bear used to break off Douglas fir bark with one swipe of his paw and pile it on end in the fire. Raven wanted to have a meal with Bear and he tried to imitate Bear in collecting fuel, but he could not break off the bark; he only hurt himself. When the fire was going, Bear put his paws up to the fire and oil dripped out of them into a dish. Raven watched him doing this, and when Bear went over to eat at Raven's house, Raven tried to produce oil in a similar manner. But no oil came out of his feet, and his claws burned and shrivelled up into their present state.

RECRD: 548 id: 31159

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