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Abies grandis - (Douglas. ex D.Don.)Lindl.

Common Name Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir
Family Pinaceae
USDA hardiness 5-6
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found in a variety of soils, but the best specimens are growing in deep rich alluvial soils[229] It ranges from the coast to inland elevations of about 2000 metres if growing by streams[60, 82].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Idaho.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Abies grandis Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir


Abies grandis Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir

 

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Summary

Form: Columnar, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Abies grandis is an evergreen Tree growing to 75 m (246ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. excelsior.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark  Shoots
Edible Uses: Drink  Gum  Tea

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[161]. It is best used in the spring when it is rich and juicy[213]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[183]. The gum from the trunk is hardened (probably in cold water[K]) and used as a chewing gum[257]. It can also be made into a drink[257]. Young shoot tips are used as a tea substitute[183, 257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Laxative  Ophthalmic  Skin  Stomachic  TB  Tonic

A gum that exudes from the bark is used externally as an ointment[245]. It has also been used as a wash for sore and infected eyes and as a gargle for sore throats[257]. A decoction is laxative and tonic, it is used to treat stomach problems[257]. Externally, the gum is applied as a poultice to cuts and sores[257]. A decoction of the root bark or stem is used in the treatment of stomach problems and TB[257]. A poultice is applied to joints to ease rheumatism or to the chest to treat lung haemorrhages[257]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Baby care  Dye  Gum  Incense  Repellent  Roofing  Wood

The aromatic leaves are used as a moth repellent[169]. The boughs have been used in the home as an incense[257]. A pink dye can be obtained from the bark[226]. The dried and hardened pitch can be chewed as a tooth cleanser[257]. A powder made from the dried and crushed leaves was used as a baby powder by the N. American Indians[226]. The bark can be used as a waterproof covering material for buildings and canoes[257]. Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not strong, not very durable. Used for interior work, cases, etc[46, 61, 82]. Of little value as a lumber, it is used mainly for pulp and fuel[229, 257].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen. Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and succeeds in poor sandy soils[185]. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[81]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. 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[11, 185]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[200]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[200]. This species thrives exceedingly well in the moister parts of Britain, where it grows very quickly[11]. It is cultivated for timber in W. and N. Europe[50]. Trees are slow growing for the first few years but they are then quite fast with trees growing 60 - 100cm in height and 8cm in girth per year even when they are quite large[1, 185]. New growth takes place from early May to July[185]. Trees grow best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland and in the far west of Britain[11]. 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[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is rarely harmed by disease, insects or frost[1]. The crushed leaves have a fruity orange-flavoured aroma[185]. 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[200]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200]. Special Features:North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[78]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[78]. 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[80, 113]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[113]. 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[78] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[80].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (British Columbia), United States (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Douglas. ex D.Don.)Lindl.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Aug 11 2013 12:00AM

I have two Grand Firs on my property close to the house. The problem is that they are covered in Yellow Jackets from morning to night this August {2013}. None of my Doug Firs attracts them with a shiny sap on their needles. These Grand Firs appear to be feeding the Jackets and pose a real threat to us. We have trapped hundreds of Yellow Jackets so far this year but has had no impact on the size of the colony. This is a particularly bad year for wasps and may be only a periodic phenomena. However, I do not recommend you plant Grand Firs on your property due to their being a natural Yellow Jacket attractant.

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