Common Name: Grand Fir

General Information

Abies grandis is an immense evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it can grow 65 - 90 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 150cm in diameter[].
Rapid growth and great size make this species an important timber tree, even though its main use is for pulp. It is commonly harvested from the wild and is also often grown in plantations. The tree has a wide range of traditional uses for food, medicine and as a source of materials. It is also widely grown in gardens, with many cultivars having been developed, and is considered to make an excellent 'Christmas tree'[].
Although logged in the past and in the present in many parts of its range, under 'uneven-aged management' this species regenerates well. Aside from 'old growth issues' logging of the plant is not a serious conservation concern at the species level. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Idaho

Habitat

Forests, mainly in lowland coastal areas but also in mountains, occasionally in pure stands; it is found in a variety of soils, but prefers a deep rich alluvia; it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	75.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Abies grandis is found in the temperate zone where it grows from sea level up to 2,000 metres. It is found where the climate is moist maritime to wet, with a mean annual precipitation ranging from 500 - 2,500mm, and also in the upland interior where the winters are snowy and cold and the mean precipitation ranges from 500 - 1,250mm[]. When dormant, the plant is very cold tolerant, but young growth is susceptible to damage by frost.
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and succeeds in poor sandy soils[]. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[]. Trees succeeds in very exposed positions, even if the top is blown out by the wind the trees make one or more new tops and continue growing with no loss of vigour[, ]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[].
Trees are slow growing for the first few years but they are then quite fast with individuals growing 60 - 100cm in height and 8cm in girth per year even when they are quite large[, ]. New growth takes place from mid spring to mid summer[].
Some trees have reached heights in excess of 60 metres in 100 years in Wales and Scotland, making them amongst the tallest trees in Europe[].
A very ornamental plant[], it is rarely harmed by disease, insects or frost[].
The crushed leaves have a fruity orange-flavoured aroma[].
Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Inner bark - cooked. It is usually dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[]. It is best used in the spring when it is rich and juicy[]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[].

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[, ].

Medicinal

The gum that exudes from the bark is antiseptic, laxative and tonic. A decoction is used to treat stomach problems[].
The gum is used externally as an ointment and is applied as a poultice to cuts and sores[, ]. It has also been used as a wash for sore and infected eyes and as a gargle for sore throats[].

A decoction of the root bark or stem is used in the treatment of stomach problems and TB[].
A poultice is applied to joints to ease rheumatism or to the chest to treat lung haemorrhages[].

A decoction of the leaves is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds[].

Other Uses

The aromatic leaves are used as a moth repellent[].
The boughs have been used in the home as an incense[].
An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a masking agent[].

A pink dye can be obtained from the bark[].

The dried and hardened pitch can be chewed as a tooth cleanser[].

A powder made from the dried and crushed leaves was used as a baby powder by the N. American Indians[].

The bark can be used as a waterproof covering material for buildings and canoes[].

Wood - light in weight, soft, coarse grained, not very strong, not very durable. It is used for interior work, cases, etc[, , ]. Of little value as a lumber, it is used mainly for pulp and fuel[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse or outdoors in early spring[]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[, ]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[].