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Home > Fir > Grand Fir

Grand Fir

The grand fir tree is a medium to large fir tree found in North America. It was first described by a Scottish botanist, David Douglas, who has also lent his name to the Douglas fir. Its main adaptation is the fact that it can grow in various kinds of soils.

Grand Fir

Grand Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Abies
Scientific Name Abies grandis
Grand Fir Christmas Tree

Grand Fir Christmas Tree

Grand Fir Tree

Grand Fir Tree

Quick Information

Other Names Giant fir, lowland white fir, great silver fir, Vancouver fir, western white fir, Oregon fir, silver fir, yellow fir, stinking fir, Puget Sound fir, sapin grandissime (French), abeto grande (Spanish)
Identification Size: Up to 262 ft (80 m) at maturity

Trunk Diameter: 6.6 ft (2 m)

Leaves (Needles): Flattened, 0.75-2 in (1.9-5 cm) long, topside dark yellow-green with two white bands, notched or rounded apex, arranged spirally, arranged in 2 ranks towards the crown alternating on the twig, perpendicular to the shoot and parallel to each other

Fruits (Cones): 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length, barrel-shaped, purplish green to green at maturity

Bark: Grayish-green with resin-blisters when young, eventually becomes 2-3 in (5-7.6 cm) thick at maturity, patchy and grayish-brown, flattened ridged wrinkles, purple-red inner bark

Tree Type Evergreen
Varieties
  • Coast grand fir (Abies grandis var. grandis)
  • Interior grand fir (Abies grandis var. idahoensis)
Distribution/Range British Columbia in Canada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and California in the USA
Habitat Moist coniferous forests at altitudes from sea level to 5,906 ft (1,800 m)
Hardiness Zones 5-6
Growth Rate Slower in shades, aggressive in the open; annual growth is up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) when young
Lifespan 250 years; occasionally over 300 years
Growing Conditions Winter Conditions: Tolerant of winter temperatures down to -100°F (-73°C)

Summer Conditions: Cool to moderate weathers during the summer

Rainfall: 25 in (63.5 cm) per year

Soil: Neutral to acidic

Light Requirement: Full Sun

Needle Retention Fragile
Diseases & Pests Fir engraver beetles, root diseases
Breeding (Reproduction) System Monoecious
Propagation By seeds
Seed Dispersal Scales deciduous as seeds ripen
Seedling Development Germination is relatively easy
Wildlife Value Livestock use it as shade; moose, deer, and blue, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse eat the needles in winter; nuthatches, chickadees, squirrels and other rodents eat the seeds
Uses As an ornamental tree, Christmas trees; softwood lumber used in making paper, construction of floors and frames; also used as a medicine for treating fevers and colds
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

Comparison of Grand Fir with other Fir Species

Grand fir vs. Douglas fir

Needles on the grand fir are dark yellow-green on top whereas Douglas fir needles are green.

Grand fir vs. Balsam fir

Grand fir grows in the Pacific Northwest and California while the Balsam fir inhabits Northeastern United States.

Grand Fir Cone

Grand Fir Cone

Grand Fir Bark

Grand Fir Bark

Grand fir vs. Fraser fir

Fraser fir needles have a silvery appearance while grand fir needles don’t.

Grand fir vs. Pacific silver fir

Grand fir grows in moist coniferous forest and Pacific silver fir grows in the temperate rainforests.

Silver Fir

Silver Fir

Silver Fir Tree

Silver Fir Tree

Interesting Facts

  • In the North American lumberjack circles, the grand fir is also known as the ‘hem fir’, which is an umbrella term coined to refer to the noble fir, California red fir, Pacific silver fir, western hemlock fir and the white fir (Abies concolor).
  • The scent of the grand fir is citrus like, thus adding to its popularity as a Christmas tree.
Grand Fir Needles

Grand Fir Needles

Grand Fir Pictures

Grand Fir Pictures

References

  1. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/42284/0
  2. http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=183
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_grandis
  4. http://oregonforests.org/tree/grand-fir
  5. https://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/abies/grandis.htm

Published on October 24th 2016 by Sudipto Chakrabarti under Fir.
Article was last reviewed on 26th December 2019.

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