Common Name: Noble Fir

General Information

Abies procera is an evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it can grow up to 72 metres tall with a straight, cylindrical bole[].
A major source of timber in western North America, where large, almost pure stands can be easily exploited. The tree attains large dimensions and grows an extremely straight bole under favourable site conditions. The almost pure natural stands can yield large volumes of timber per hectare and its wood is of a higher quality than that of other firs in North America due to its greater strength and indeed its size. The tree is cultivated for ts wood in many areas, including western and northern Europe - the wood is widely traded[, ]. The tree is often grown as an ornamental, with several dwarf cultivars available, and is popularly used as a 'Christmas tree'[, ].
This species, while affected by past logging with an unknown reduction in its original (pre-European settlement) area of occupancy, still occupies vast areas where many stands are nearly pure, especially in managed forest areas, with good regeneration after logging. In other areas it is strictly protected, as in the national parks of the region. 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 - Washington to northwest California

Habitat

Deep forests at elevations between 600 - 1,500 metres[]. The best specimens are found in deep rich soils with a short cool growing season and abundant annual precipitation, mainly as snow[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	60.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Abies procera is a plant of the temperate zone in western N. America, where it can be found at elevations from near sea level to 2,700 metres. The climate is cool temperate, with short summers and snowy winters, the annual precipitation ranging from 1,750 - 2,600mm, much of it as snow[]
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[]. Succeeds in cold exposed positions and in poor mountain peats[]. Succeeds in poor thin soils so long as sufficient moisture is present[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but they grow more slowly in dense shade[]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[]. Prefers slightly acid conditions with a pH down to about 5[]. Grows well on a north-facing slope[].
A long-lived tree in the wild, with specimens more than 600 years old recorded[]. It is a very ornamental tree[], but is very susceptible to damage by aphis, specially in areas with mild winters[, ].
New growth takes place from late spring to late summer[].
In a suitable site the tree can make new growth of 1 metre a year until it is 25 metres tall, when growth slows[]. Exposure seems to severely limit growth in height in drier regions, but less so in areas of high rainfall[].
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

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves has been used as a cough medicine[].

Other Uses

Wood - light, hard, strong, close grained, works easily. Used for general construction, carpentry, interior work, pulp etc[, , , ]. Besides general construction and carpentry applications, special uses of the wood have been for the propellers of aeroplanes and for ladders, now mostly replaced by various metals. The odourless, white wood is excellent for making boxes[].

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[].