Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir
Abies grandis
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
Form: Columnar, Upright or erect.
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.
Height (m): 75
Where it is found
Found in a variety of soils, but the best specimens are growing in deep rich alluvial soils It ranges from the coast to inland elevations of about 2000 metres if growing by streams.
Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Idaho.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
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.
Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
A gum that exudes from the bark is used externally as an ointment. It has also been used as a wash for sore and infected eyes and as a gargle for sore throats. A decoction is laxative and tonic, it is used to treat stomach problems. Externally, the gum is applied as a poultice to cuts and sores. 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.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
TB: Plants used in the treatment of tuberculosis
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 3
The aromatic leaves are used as a moth repellent. The boughs have been used in the home as an incense. 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, soft, coarse grained, not strong, not very durable. Used for interior work, cases, etc. Of little value as a lumber, it is used mainly for pulp and fuel.
Baby care: Various plants that can be used in place of items such as nappies.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.
Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.
Roofing: Used to give a waterproof roof to buildings. See also Thatching.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen. 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. This species thrives exceedingly well in the moister parts of Britain, where it grows very quickly. It is cultivated for timber in W. and N. Europe. 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. New growth takes place from early May to July. Trees grow best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland and in the far west of Britain. 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. Special Features:North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March. 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy; not Deep Shade;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 5-6
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
A. excelsior.