Douglas Fir Douglas Fir (New Zealand)

Why New Zealand?

Douglas Fir grows voraciously in New Zealand’s ecosystem, so much so the trees can overtake the land and crowd out native species of plants in the South Island. By harvesting and distilling new growth and young Douglas Fir trees from New Zealand, we are helping combat environmental harm from these trees while providing a sustainable, premium conifer essential oil.

How does it work?

The Douglas Fir is a tall, evergreen tree. They are commonly used as Christmas trees and native to North America. The essential oil is distilled from the needles and branches. We are one of the few companies that uses only the needles and small branches for our oil—which produce the most potent and effective quality Douglas Fir essential oil. Typically, other companies use the wood as well.

Although Douglas Fir grows natively throughout North America, it is an invasive species in New Zealand. The trees were introduced into New Zealand for the timber industry. Douglas Fir grows almost twenty times faster in New Zealand than in the US, consequently, they have overtaken parts of the land to the point that native plants are prevented from growing.

Supporting Environmental Stewardship

The “wilding” of young Douglas Fir trees threatens to take over much of the rolling native grassland of New Zealand. Once rooted, these trees block out the sun and other nutrients for competing native plant life, harming biodiversity in a fragile ecosystem. The Douglas Fir tree is an invasive plant in New Zealand, but its essential oil has beneficial properties, such as purifying and detoxifying effects, as well as calming, focusing effects when used aromatically.

DoTERRA is part of the solution to New Zealand’s invasive Douglas Fir problem by sourcing Douglas Fir from a country where it is a pest plant. There are various approaches to sustainable use of Douglas Fir in New Zealand. We have worked with partners to promote recycling of needle biomass, supporting the responsible use of plant material that would otherwise be wasted or burned after commercial harvest of timber. This sustainable harvest model of Douglas Fir trees includes harvesting when they are young, five to seven years old, preventing the trees from reaching maturity and producing cones, which spread like wildfire across the rolling hills and perpetuate the problem of overrunning native species. Additionally, distilled Douglas Fir biomass can be added to food waste to make compost used as part of reforestation programs of natives in the area. By sourcing Douglas Fir from here, we strive to protect and preserve the native ecosystem of New Zealand. The unique woody, fresh aroma of New Zealand Douglas Fir, and sustainable sourcing from New Zealand, add to its appeal in both aromatherapy and wellness applications.