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Grand Fir

Grand Fir or Giant Fir (Abies grandis) is a fir native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It is a large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 300 feet tall.

It is easily distinguished from other Pacific Northwest fir, says the National Christmas Tree Association, by its sprays of lustrous needles in two distinct rows. They are usually horizontally spread so that both the upper and lower sides of the branches are clearly visible.

The name Abies is derived from the Latin abeo meaning "to rise" and refers to the great height attained by some species. Fir is derived from the Old English furh or fyrh or the Danish fyrr, meaning "fire," from its use as firewood.

The Grand fir, also called lowland white fir, balsam fir, or yellow fir, is a rapid-growing tree that reaches its largest size in the rain forest of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. One tree in that area measures 78.9 inches (231 ft) tall, and has a crown spread of 14 m (46 ft). The species also has historic significance. The famous Barlow Road snub-trees on the south side of Mount Hood in Oregon were grand firs. They were used by early settlers to control the rate of descent of their covered wagons on a particularly steep slope in their trek from east to west. Some of the rope-burned trees are still standing after 150 years.

The Okanagan people built canoes from grand fir bark and rubbed its pitch on paddles to give them a good finish. They also applied pitch to the back of bows to provide a secure grip.

For more info on the Grand fir, click here and click here. And below, find more photos of Christmas Hills Tree Farm Grand fir.

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