Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Like other evergreens, fir trees are associated with protection and spirituality in many Native American tribes. The Grand Fir. Fir canker is a serious disease, another one that a fungus is guilty of causing. Other coniferous trees such as Douglas fir, joint fir, and hemlock fir are also called firs, but they are not true firs because they belong to different genera like Pseudotsuga, Ephedra, and Tsuga. White fir tree is a classic American beauty native to the Rocky Mountains. Fir tree identification. Each needle grows singly from the branch. A variety of grades of veneer are manufactured which are generally used for construction. First described in 1768, balsam fir is a medium-sized tree generally reaching 40-60 feet in height and 1-1 1/2 feet in diameter. In aromatherapy uses, as an essential oil, Fir is beneficial for coughs, colds, flu, arthritis, muscle aches Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known. Height: The Douglas fir can grow to be very tall indeed, and can grow up to 60 metres in Britain. I think that pine trees are one of the most interesting types of trees. It is a symbol of honesty, truth and forthrightness because of the way it grows on the “straight and narrow.” The trunk of the fir reminds us of a tall straight pillar of strength, a symbolic tower of truth. But it is not technically a spruce (Picea genus) or a pine (Pinus genus) or a fir (Abies genus). The China fir may grow to a height of 50 metres (160 feet), with a circumference of about 5.5 metres (18 feet); it is covered with fragrant, reddish brown bark that is shed in long strips. Fir is any of the species of conifers belonging to the genus Abies included in the Pinaceae (or pine) family. Lifespan: 500 years. Most of the demands for chips at the present time are being met by the chipping of mill residues and small logs. It is also used to make stuffing for pillows and mattresses in some countries. Trees are tall plants made of wood. Being a member of the pine family and having flat needle-like leaves are some common balsam fir tree facts. Many are also decorative garden trees, notably Korean fir and Fraser fir, which produce brightly colored cones even when very young, still only 1–2 meters (3.3–6.6 feet) tall. Plains Indian tribes commonly burn fir needles as incense, and northern Algonquian tribes bundled spruce and fir needles into sachets or herbal pillows to protect against illness. There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia. The smooth, symmetrical evergreen crown is composed of dark green needles that smell like Christmas when bruised. Fraser fir trees are widely used as Christmas trees. On good sites, bur oak has a spreading habit with a broad crown; massive bole; and low, large branches. facilitates spreading of the forest fire. Unlike the paired needles of spruce and bunched, cluster-like needles of pine trees, fir needles attach singly to the twigs with the arrangement resembling a small suction cup. Douglas fir, which has sometimes been called the Douglas tree, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce, is not actually a true fir, a pine, or a spruce. As the tree ages, more blisters develop and ooze balsam, an oily resin. Wood Products: This tree’s lumber is excellent for construction. One of the nine sacred woods of used for a sabbat fire the Druids held the fir in high esteem. Learn how tall trees can grow, how long they can live, how they help us breathe, what wood can be used for, what tree roots do and much more. Balsam Fir Tree Facts. Mature cones are usually brown, young in summer can be green, yellow, purple, blue or dark purple-blue. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. The Douglas Fir also goes by names such as red fir, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce. Updated: February 2, 2017. This makes firs different from pines, which have needles that grow in bundles. Dig the fertilizer into the soil around the tree, then water well. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by the unique attachment of their needle-like leaves to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup. These large trees, although closely related to cedars, can be distinguished from other conifers by their soft cones that perch upright like candles. © 2021 (Coniferous Forest). and rheumatism. Cones hang from the branches and can approach 5 inches long. Read on and have fun learning a range of interesting information about trees. Pines produce resin that flows from the injured bark. Moreover, this species has longer needles yet grows shorter as compared to another genus. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs have thin, smooth bark. The leaves are like needles. Articles. Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Save For Later Print. How to Root Loropetalum Cuttings Shrubs. swalia thank you and am glad you came to know more through this hub. They also grow upwards instead of hanging down. Wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the Fir needles are bright green to blue-green on the top and white or silvery green on the bottom. Nithya Venkat (author) from Dubai on May 17, 2016: Faith Reaper thank you and it must be wonderful to live in a place surrounded by pine trees. Full sunlight and plenty of water are also necessary for fir tree growth. Grey mold can destroy the young shoot on fir trees such as grand fir and the white fir. It was dismantled in 2017 when folks realized it looked more like a rocket than a fir tree. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Douglas fir is not a true fir tree but it’s a type of pine tree . There are about 56 species of fir in the world. The combination of form, dark green color, strong branches and pleasant scent has led to Fraser Fir being one of the most popular Christmas tree species. How to Fertilize Cannas Growing … Like so many popular essential oils, fir needle essential is extracted through a process of steam distillation from fir needles. The plant is found growing in mountain slopes, glaciated uplands as well as on alluvial flats, peat lands, swamps, forests and wetland margins. The concolor firs have a shallow and widespread root system, which makes them vulnerable to “windthrow”. Deer will eat this species when other preferred browse is unavailable. Leaves: It has soft needles with two grey bands underneath. How to Grow Sea Buckthorn Trees. Interesting Facts. manufacture of plywood and rough timber. T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org. The evergreen needles measure 1 inch in length and feature rounded tips. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs … How to Rope Off a Tree Limb to Keep it From Falling Trees. Abies procera, the noble fir, also called red fir and Christmas tree, is a western North American fir, native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States.It is a high-altitude tree, typically occurring at 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft) altitude, only rarely reaching the tree line Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known. Here is some general information on the douglas-fir tree. Seeds: The oval shaped cones hang downwards with a three point bract - a special type of leaf - on every scale. Check out our fun tree facts for kids. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The fir tree cones are softer than other coniferous trees and come apart at the end of the season to spread their seeds. A fungal malady, grey mold wilts these shoots and dries them up. Firs are monoecious (both sexes) and produces female cones high in the crown, and clusters of male cones in a zone below. The root system of the fir tree also helps to prevent soil erosion. Pulp is generally is used for Kraft paper. This evergreen plant has small to medium sizes and deluges in northern region forests of the Adirondacks. Indicative of the taxonomic confusion about this tree, the scientific genus name Pseudotsuga means “false hemlock,” alluding to yet another kind of tree somewhat similar to this unique but important tree. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. Several fir species, including the balsam fir, are used as ornamental trees. How to Grow Grape Vines in Illinois Growing Grapes. Parts of the Himalayan fir can be used for producing incense. In the wild this tree can live 100 years and longer but outside of its normal range one could expect 40 or more years to be an old tree. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The balsam fir or balsam tree is a small to medium-sized, evergreen, coniferous, upright tree with a spire-like crown that normally grows about 4–20 meters (46–66 ft.) tall, occasionally reaching a height of 27 meters (89 ft.). Fertilize white fir trees in early spring or late fall, using a high-nitrogen fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-5 or 12-6-4, or a fertilizer formulated for evergreens. Doulas-Fir Tree Descriptive Facts. Its needles are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism. They are flat and usually have rounded tips. Firs are evergreen coniferous trees that belongs to the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae. Bur oak has several desirable attributes including strong branches, drought tolerance, winter hardiness, and freedom from serious insects or diseases. Firs are long-lived, on average achieving reproductive maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years. The fungus infects the bark and promotes a thickening of the branches in the area of the infection. Its needles are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism. A tea made by green fir needles in boiling water is high in vitamins A and C. Firs are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species. Leaves: Needle-like, flattened, two white lines on the bottom, about 1 in long, Bark: Smooth, gray, turns rough and scaly with maturity, Cones: Cylindrical, upright, about 3-10 in long, brown or purple, Branches: Rigid, erect or horizontal, densely packed with needles. Firs are uninodal, producing one whorl of branches each year, from buds at the tip of the year’s new shoot. It’s properties include being an antiseptic, antitussive, Deodorant, disinfectant and expectorant. The tops of the leaves are dark green and shiny but the underside is a silver-blue color that inspires the nickname of … Fir trees can be anywhere from 17 feet (5 meters) to 200 feet (60 meters) tall when fully grown. Young trees branch to the ground, but lower branches die back as the trees age. Resin blisters can be seen on the otherwise smooth bark of the tree. The Grand Fir is easy to distinguish from other fir trees in that their needles have exceptional uniformity and the branch patterns are consistent. It exhibits a relatively dense, dark-green, pyramidal crown with a slender spire-like tip. Fir branches are used for purifying and warding off ghosts in some Salish and other Northwest Indian rituals. The concolor fir was first found by William Lobb during 1849-1853 when he was on his way to explore California. The Noble Fir tree has a reputation for staying fresh for an extended period. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. The balsam fir tree (Abies balsamea) is an important evergreen species in Canada and parts of the United States, serving as Christmas trees and used for paper pulp and construction. They are evergreen trees (they keep their needle-like leaves all year). Tree Facts for Kids. Each yellow- or blue-green needle is borne singly and has a short stalk at the base and a grooved upper surface. Cylindrical cones are 5–25 centimeters (2–10 inches) long. The mighty Douglas fir is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing in coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- Balsam Fir Tree Facts. How to Prune a Colorado Blue Spruce Trees. Douglas-fir is the English name applied in common to evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. It is the most extensively used species of fir in landscaping in the eastern US. The genus Abies includes 48-56 species of true firs that are classified into nine extant sections and one extinct section. The slender growth habit makes it appealing to buyers looking for a tree for small rooms. Winter buds are brown, shiny, and pointed. The tree was surrounded by some controversy during construction—the local Catholic archbishop thought it was a waste of money (about $80,000) that should have gone to charity—and it ultimately didn't stay up for long. I always enjoy examining them and learning more about them. Fraser Fir is a uniformly, pyramid-shaped tree. Large trees generally require no fertilizer, but you can always dig a bit of well-rotted manure or compost into soil. The needles are the most important part of this plant, as that is where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are located. Concolor Fir Tree Pictures. Nordmann fir, noble fir, Fraser fir and balsam fir are popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be the best for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Facts and stats. Identification of the different species is based on the size and arrangement of the needle-like 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. Full sunlight and plenty of water are By: John Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com. Canaan fir, also called West Virginia balsam fir, is a little known tree that is native to isolated pockets in the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia. The species' fragrance, shape, strong limbs, and ability to retain its soft needles for a long time when cut (which do not prick easily when hanging ornaments) make it one of the best trees for this purpose. Douglas firs are not true firs, being of the genus Pseudotsuga. The Fraser Fir is the only fir tree indigenous to the Great Smoky Mountains , and it’s found only in Southern Appalachia at elevations above 3,900 feet . Parts of the Himalayan fir can be used for producing incense. Abies spectabilis or Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug. How to Propagate a Cyclamen Plant Growing Flowers. Subalpine firs grow up to 66 ft. (20 m) and are also popular in ornamental landscaped gardens. Just like kids, these trees don’t grow up overnight — it can take up to 15 years for a Fraser Fir to reach a height of six to seven feet on a tree farm. They are large trees, reaching heights from 10 to 80 meters (33 to 262 feet) tall and trunk diameters from 0.5 to 4 meters (1 ft 8 in to 13 ft 1 in) when mature. Thank you for sharing all the facts. All rights reserved. Fraser fir is a uniformly pyramid-shaped tree which reaches a maximum height of about 80 feet and a diameter of 1-1.5 feet. deciduous tree widely distributed across the United States. This stiffly pyramidal evergreen is also known as Colorado fir. The spreading branches, drooping at the ends, bear flattened, lance-shaped leaves about 6 … Interesting facts about the Rocky Mountains, Interesting facts about the Lake District, Interesting facts about Zhangye Danxia Landform, Interesting facts about Yorkshire Terriers. Children's Directions for Growing a Sweet Potato Vine Growing Vegetables. Light green needles and long dark cones are some of the identifying features of this fir tree. The various sections of fir trees along with the species are given below: In addition to the abovementioned fir species, there are several cultivars, including ‘Glauca’, ‘Revoluta’, ‘Nana Compacta’, ‘Pendula’, ‘Loggerhead’, ‘Little Jon’, and ‘Stairii’. 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