{{Short description|Species of conifer tree}} {{Speciesbox | name = ''Abies grandis''<br/>Grand fir | image = Abies grandis Rogów 6.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Farjon, A. |date=2013 |title=''Abies grandis'' |volume=2013 |article-number=e.T42284A2969709 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42284A2969709.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | status2 = {{TNCStatus}} | status2_system = TNC | status2_ref = <ref name="NatureServe">{{cite NatureServe |title=''Abies grandis'' |id=2.146468 |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref> | genus = Abies | species = grandis | authority = ([[David Douglas (botanist)|Douglas]] ex [[David Don|D. Don]]) [[John Lindley|Lindley]] | range_map = Abies grandis range map 3.png | range_map_caption = Natural range of ''Abies grandis'' <div style="background-color:#90ee90">green - ''A. grandis'' ssp. ''grandis''</div> <div style="background-color:#9090ee">blue - ''A. grandis'' ssp. ''idahoensis''</div> }}
'''''Abies grandis''''' ('''grand fir''', '''giant fir''', '''lowland white fir''', '''great silver fir''', '''western white fir''', '''Vancouver fir''', or '''Oregon fir''') is a [[fir]] native to northwestern [[North America]], occurring at altitudes of sea level to {{Convert|1700|m}}. It is a major constituent of the [[Ecology of the North Cascades#Grand Fir/Douglas Fir Ecoregion|Grand Fir/Douglas Fir Ecoregion]] of the [[Cascade Range]].
The tree typically grows to {{Convert|40–70|m|abbr=on}} in height, and may be the tallest ''Abies'' species in the world. There are two [[Variety (botany)|varieties]], the taller '''coast grand fir''', found west of the Cascade Mountains, and the shorter '''interior grand fir''', found east of the Cascades. It was first described in 1831 by [[David Douglas (botanist)|David Douglas]].<ref name="whitefir" />
It is closely related to [[white fir]]. The bark was historically believed to have medicinal properties, and it is popular in the United States as a [[Christmas tree]]. Its [[lumber]] is a [[softwood]], and it is harvested as a '''hem fir'''. It is used in paper-making, as well as construction for [[Framing (construction)|framing]] and flooring, where it is desired for its resistance to splitting and splintering.
==Description== {{multiple image | align = left | image1 = Abies grandis 5357.JPG | width1 = 203 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Abies grandis 5359.JPG | width2 = 90 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = The bottom (left) and top (right) of the foliage }}
''Abies grandis'' is a large [[evergreen]] [[conifer]] growing to {{Convert|40–70|m|abbr=off}} tall, exceptionally {{Convert|100|m|abbr=on}}, with a [[Trunk (botany)|trunk]] diameter of up to {{Convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on|frac=2}}. The dead tree tops sometimes fork into new growth.<ref name="Arno-2020">{{Cite book |last1=Arno |first1=Stephen F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qDD4DwAAQBAJ |title=Northwest Trees: Identifying & Understanding the Region's Native Trees |last2=Hammerly |first2=Ramona P. |publisher=[[Mountaineers Books]] |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-68051-329-5 |edition=field guide |location=Seattle |pages=128–135 |language=en |oclc=1141235469 |orig-date=1977}}</ref> The bark is {{Convert|5|cm|abbr=off|frac=4}} thick, reddish to gray (but purple within), furrowed, and divided into slender plates.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> The [[leaves]] are needle-like, flattened, {{Convert|3–6|cm|abbr=on|frac=8}} long and {{Convert|2|mm|frac=32}} wide by 0.5 mm thick, glossy dark green above,<ref name="Arno-2020" /> with two green-white bands of [[stoma]]ta below, and slightly notched at the tip. The leaf arrangement is spiral on the shoot, but with each leaf variably twisted at the base so they all lie in two more-or-less flat ranks on either side of the shoot. On the lower leaf surface, two green-white bands of stomata are prominent. The base of each leaf is twisted a variable amount so that the leaves are nearly [[coplanar]].
[[File:Abies grandis cones.jpg|thumb|left|Cones]]
The green-to-reddish [[conifer cone|cones]] are {{Convert|6–12|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} long<ref name="Arno-2020" /> and {{Convert|3.5–4.5|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} broad, with about 100–150 scales; the scale bracts are short, and hidden in the closed cone. The winged [[seed]]s are released when the cones disintegrate at maturity about 6 months after pollination.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> {{clear left}}
===Varieties=== [[File:Abies grandis oldtrees.jpg|thumb|[[Old-growth]] copse in inland [[Oregon]]]]
There are two varieties, probably better treated at [[subspecies]] rank though not yet formally published as such: * ''Abies grandis'' var. ''grandis''. '''Coast grand fir'''. Coastal lowland forests, at sea level to 900 m altitude, from [[Vancouver Island]] and coastal British Columbia, south to [[Sonoma County, California]]. A large, very fast-growing tree to 70 m tall. Foliage strongly flattened on all shoots. Cones slightly narrower (mostly less than 4 cm broad), with thinner, fairly flexible scales. Tolerates winter [[temperature]]s down to about -25° to −30 °C; growth on good sites may exceed 1.5 m per year when young.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> * ''Abies grandis'' var. ''idahoensis''. '''Interior grand fir'''. Interior forests, at (600–) 900–1800 m altitude, on the east slope of the Cascades in Washington and in the [[Rocky Mountains]] from southeast British Columbia south to central [[Idaho]], northeast Oregon and western [[Montana]]. A smaller, slow-growing tree to 40–45 m tall. Foliage not strongly flattened on all shoots, the leaves often raised above the shoot, particularly on upper crown shoots. Cones slightly stouter (mostly over 4 cm broad), with thicker, slightly woody scales. Tolerates winter temperatures down to about −40 °C; growth on good sites not exceeding 0.6 m per year even when young.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />
Grand fir is very closely related to [[white fir]] (''Abies concolor''), and intergrades with it in central Oregon. Firs of the [[Blue Mountains (Pacific Northwest)|Blue Mountains]] and Oregon [[Eastern Cascades Slopes and Foothills|East Cascade Slope]] are intermediate between the two species in genetics and appearance. The intergrades are often referred to as "''Abies grandis x concolor''", a variety which itself intergrades into ''Abies concolor lowiana'' farther south, around the California state line.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ott |first1=Todd M. |last2=Strand |first2=Eva K. |last3=Anderson |first3=Cort L. |date=2015 |title=Niche divergence of Abies grandis–Abies concolor hybrids |journal=Plant Ecology |volume=216 |issue=3 |pages=479–490 |doi=10.1007/s11258-015-0452-1 |jstor=24557678 |bibcode=2015PlEco.216..479O |issn=1385-0237}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zavarin |first1=Eugene |last2=Snajberk |first2=Karel |last3=Critchfield |first3=William B. |date=1977-08-30 |title=Terpenoid chemosystematic studies of Abies grandis |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=81–93 |doi=10.1016/0305-1978(77)90036-9 |bibcode=1977BioSE...5...81Z |issn=0305-1978}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kauffmann |first=Michael |title=Conifer Country |publisher=Backcountry Press |year=2012 |pages=35–38}}</ref>
==Taxonomy== The species was first described by Scottish botanical explorer [[David Douglas (botanist)|David Douglas]], who in 1830 brought its seeds back to Britain;<ref name="Arno-2020" /> in 1831 he described specimens he had collected along the [[Columbia River]] in the [[Pacific Northwest]].<ref name="whitefir" />
==Distribution and habitat== The coastal variety of grand fir grows in temperate rainforest environments along the Pacific coast from southwest [[British Columbia]] to [[Northern California]], with the inland [[Variety (botany)|variety]] growing in montane conifer forests of eastern [[Washington (state)|Washington]], the [[Idaho Panhandle]], and far western Montana. It can be found growing at elevations of up to {{Convert|1700|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> Habitats typically receive at least {{Convert|640|mm|abbr=on}} of annual rainfall, but are still too dry or outside the range of more [[shade-tolerant]] competitors like [[western hemlock]] and [[western redcedar]].<ref name="Arno-2020" /> Along with the closely related white fir, grand fir is more shade tolerant than [[Douglas-fir]].<ref name="Arno-2020" />
==Ecology== Due to [[wildfire suppression]], grand fir was able to proliferate in areas previously dominated by the relatively [[Fire ecology|fire-resistant]] inland Douglas fir, [[ponderosa pine]], and [[western larch]].<ref name="Arno-2020" /> The lack of smaller fires allows both grand and white fir saplings to form a [[fuel ladder]], enabling [[crown fire]]s.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> Grand fir's [[Bark (botany)|bark]] is thinner than that of white fir, making the former species more susceptible to threats like fire and rot.<ref name="Arno-2020" />
Specimens have historically been able to live up to nearly 300 years, but in modern stressed conditions, 100 years is more typical.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> A number of defoliating insects threaten the tree; in the late 20th century, [[western spruce budworm]] epidemics killed sizable populations of grand fir in the eastern [[Cascade Range|Cascades]] and [[Blue Mountains (Pacific Northwest)|Blue Mountains]].<ref name="Arno-2020" /> The lack of an ability to use [[Pitch (resin)|pitch]] to patch wounds, including those from [[logging]] and small fires, provides a weakness exploited by rot fungi.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> East of the Cascade ridge, grand fir trunks are infected by [[Echinodontium tinctorium|Indian paint fungus]], indicating a rotten core; such specimens are often waterlogged and thus crack apart in freezing weather.<ref name="Arno-2020" />
[[Pileated woodpecker]]s search grand and white firs for insects and places to nest. Rotten cores open shelters for various animals, including [[American black bear|black bears]].<ref name="Arno-2020" />
== Cultivation and uses == The boughs create a rain shelter for humans.<ref name="Arno-2020" />
Native Americans used both grand fir and white fir, powdering the bark or pitch to treat tuberculosis or skin ailments;<ref name="Arno-2020" /> the [[Nlaka'pamux]] used the bark to cover lodges and make canoes, and branches were used as bedding.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> The inner bark of the grand fir was used by some [[Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Plateau|Plateau Indian]] tribes for treating [[colds]] and [[fever]].<ref name="hunn"/> The Okanagan-Colville tribe used the species as a strengthening drug to nullify the feeling of weakness.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turner |first=Nancy J. |title=Ethnobotany of the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington |date=1980 |publisher=British Columbia Provincial Museum |isbn=0-7718-8200-9 |oclc=8519706}}</ref>
The foliage has an attractive [[citrus]]-like scent. It is sometimes used for [[Christmas decorations]] in the United States, including [[Christmas tree]]s, although its stiff branches do not allow it to be economically packed.<ref name="Arno-2020" /> It is also planted as an ornamental tree in large parks.
===Timber=== [[File:Abies grandis cross section.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Trunk cross-section]]
The [[lumber]] is non-resinous and fine textured.<ref name="whitefir"/> In the North American logging industry, the grand fir is often referred to as "hem fir", with hem fir being a number of species with interchangeable types of wood (specifically the [[Abies magnifica|California red fir]], [[noble fir]], [[Pacific silver fir]], white fir, and western hemlock). Grand fir is often shipped along with these other species. It can also referred to as "white fir" lumber, an umbrella term also referring to ''[[Abies amabilis]]'' (Pacific silver fir), ''[[Abies concolor]]'' (White fir), and ''[[Abies magnifica]]'' (Red fir).
Lumber from the grand fir is considered a [[softwood]]. As such, it is used for [[paper]] making, packing crates, and construction. Hem fir is frequently used for [[Framing (construction)|framing]], and is able to meet the [[building code]] [[Span (architecture)|span requirements]] of numerous construction projects.<ref name="hefir"/>
As a hem fir, the trunk of the grand fir is considered slightly below the "Douglas fir-[[larch]]" species combination in strength, and stronger than the "Douglas fir-South" and "spruce-pine-fir (South)" species combos (both umbrella terms for a number of species with similar wood). Because it is nearly as strong as Douglas fir-larch, it often meets the structural [[load-bearing wall|load-bearing]] requirements for framing in residential, light commercial, and heavy construction. Excluding Douglas fir-larch, hem fir's [[modulus of elasticity]] value as a stiffness factor in floor systems (denoted as MOE or E) is stronger than all other western species combinations. Hem fir is preferred by many builders because of its ability to hold and not be split by nails and screws, and its low propensity for splintering when sawed.<ref name="hefir"/>
== Notable specimens == In February 2022, a coast grand fir growing south of Bergen was found to be Norway's tallest tree with height of {{Convert|53.7|m|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=The thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in Norway |url=https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/records/nor/}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist| refs = <ref name="whitefir">{{cite news |title=Brochure: White Fir Facts |url=http://www.spi-ind.com/html/documents/brochure-WhiteFirFacts.pdf |publisher=SPI |access-date=2012-01-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105081245/http://www.spi-ind.com/html/documents/brochure-WhiteFirFacts.pdf |archive-date=2011-11-05 }}</ref>
<ref name="hunn">{{cite book |last= Hunn |first= Eugene S. |title= Nch'i-Wana, "The Big River": Mid-Columbia Indians and Their Land |publisher=[[University of Washington Press]] |year= 1990 |isbn= 0-295-97119-3| page=351}}</ref>
<ref name="hefir">{{cite news |title = Hem-Fir species group |url = http://www2.wwpa.org/SPECIESPRODUCTS/HemFir/tabid/299/Default.aspx#char |publisher = Western Woods Products Association |date = March 1997 |access-date = 2012-07-10 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120712225048/http://www2.wwpa.org/SPECIESPRODUCTS/HemFir/tabid/299/Default.aspx#char |archive-date = 2012-07-12 }}</ref>
}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Gymnosperm Database |family=Pinaceae |genus=Abies |species=grandis |link=1}} * [http://www.plantmaps.com/nrm/abies-grandis-grand-fir-native-range-map.php Interactive Distribution Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222120305/http://www.plantmaps.com/nrm/abies-grandis-grand-fir-native-range-map.php |date=2017-02-22 }} * {{Jepson eFlora|11526 |link=1}} * [http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Abies+grandis CalFlora Database]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q147434}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Abies|grandis]] [[Category:Flora of British Columbia]] [[Category:Flora of California]] [[Category:Flora of Idaho]] [[Category:Flora of Montana]] [[Category:Flora of Oregon]] [[Category:Flora of Washington (state)]] [[Category:Trees of Northern America]]