Grand Fir or Giant Fir or Lowland Fir
Abies grandis
Pine familiy (Pinaceae)
Silver growth spurt
The tall Grand fir grows in the dark forests of North America. This pine tree is fast growing and can increase in height by up to 1.5m each year. In this way the tree can quickly reach a height of 80 m. Since the tree grows so quickly the wood is not very strong but can be used for straightforward timber and paper production. The Europeans recognized the benefits that this tree had to offer and introduced it to this side of the Atlantic in order to start plantations.
The green needles are borne on the twigs in a flat plane, such as in a feather. The needles smell of citrus fruits when bruised. The two white stripes on the underside of the needles give the whole tree a silver sheen.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Haren Botanic Garden, Schovenhorst Estate, Von Gimborn Arboretum.
Rapid growth and great size make this species an important timber tree. The wood is soft and white and an excellent source of pulpwood. As a timber for construction it is less desirable due to its relative weakness and limited durability. In the Pacific northwest young trees are valued as Christmas trees because they tend to have a very symmetrical growth habit and lustrous green foliage. It is often used in horticulture and a substantial number of cultivars have been selected for garden planting.
Inner bark can be cooked, usually dried then ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc. or mixed with flour when making bread. The gum from the trunk is hardened (probably in cold water) and used as a chewing gum. It can also be made into a drink. Young shoot tips are used as a tea substitute.
Part of the Dutch National Conifer Collection.
Details
Description: | Conifer, up to 80 m. |
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Distributions: | Canada (british columbia); united states (california, idaho, montana, oregon, washington). |
Habitat: | Forest in lowland coastal areas. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic evergreen) |
Hardiness: | -4 - 5 f (hardy - very cold winter) |
Flowering period: | Mei |
Notes on flowers: | Male cones yellowish; female cones yellowish-green to green. |
Fruiting period: | September - oktober |