Abies grandis foliage
Intact and disintegrated Bulgarian Fir cones
Abies alba foliage from Dinaric
calcareous fir forests on Mt.
Firs (
Abies) are a genus of between 48-55
species of
evergreen conifers in the family
Pinaceae. All are
trees,
reaching heights of 10-80 m (30-260 ft) tall and trunk diameters of
0.5-4 m (2-12 ft) when mature. Firs can be distinguished from other
members of the pine family by their needle-like
leaves, attached to the twig by a base that resembles a
small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical
cones 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long that
disintegrate at maturity to release the winged
seeds. Identification of the species is based on the
size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the
cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and
exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone. They are most
closely related to the
cedars
(
Cedrus). Firs are found through much of North and Central
America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in
mountains over most of the range.
Firs are used as food plants by the
larvae of
some
Lepidoptera species including
Chionodes abella (recorded on
White Fir),
Autumnal Moth,
Conifer Swift (a pest of
Balsam Fir),
The
Engrailed,
Grey Pug,
Mottled Umber and
Pine
Beauty.
Douglas-firs are not true firs, being of
the genus
Pseudotsuga.
Classification
- Section Balsamea (Taiga|boreal Asia
and North America, and high mountains further
south)
- Section Grandis (western North America
to Mexico and Guatemala, lowlands in north, moderate altitudes in
south)
- Section Abies (central, south &
east Europe, Asia Minor)
- Section Momi (east & central Asia,
Himalaya, generally at low to moderate altitudes)
- Section Amabilis (Pacific coast
mountains, North America and Japan, in high rainfall
mountains)
- Section Oiamel (Central Mexico, at
high altitude)
- Section Nobilis
(western U.S.
, high
altitudes)
Uses
The
wood of most firs is considered unsuitable
for general
timber use, and is often used as
pulp or for the manufacture of
plywood and
rough timber. Because this species has no insect or decay
resistance qualities after logging, it is generally recommended for
construction purposes as indoor use only (ex. indoor drywall
framing). This wood left outside can not be expected to last more
than 12–18 months depending on the type of climate it is exposed
to. It is commonly referred to as several different names which
include North American timber, SPF (spruce, pine, fir) and
whitewood.
Nordmann Fir,
Noble Fir,
Fraser Fir
and
Balsam Fir are very popular
Christmas trees, generally considered to be
the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does
not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative
garden trees, notably
Korean Fir and
Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very
young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall. Other fir trees can grow
anywhere between 30 and 236 feet tall.
References
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, at high altitude)
coast)
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