Douglas Fir Trees, Facts & Information on the Douglas Fir Tree. 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. I think that pine trees are one of the most interesting types of trees. Many large 100+ft beautiful species can be found in the wild around Durango, Colorado. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fir branches are used for purifying and warding off ghosts in some Salish and other Northwest Indian rituals. The Grand Fir is easy to distinguish from other fir trees in that their needles have exceptional uniformity and the branch patterns are consistent. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- Balsam Fir Tree Facts. They also grow upwards instead of hanging down. This evergreen plant has small to medium sizes and deluges in northern region forests of the Adirondacks. Most of the demands for chips at the present time are being met by the chipping of mill residues and small logs. Here is some general information on the douglas-fir tree. Large trees generally require no fertilizer, but you can always dig a bit of well-rotted manure or compost into soil. 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. Resin blisters can be seen on the otherwise smooth bark of the tree. 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. 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. This stiffly pyramidal evergreen is also known as Colorado fir. By: John Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com. Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. 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. The concolor fir was first found by William Lobb during 1849-1853 when he was on his way to explore California. Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The needles are the most important part of this plant, as that is where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are located. Unfortunately, resin is highly flammable and it © 2021 (Coniferous Forest). also necessary for fir tree growth. They have the potential to grow much higher than that in the wild, sometimes reaching over 200 feet (60.9 meters) tall. A member of the pine family, white fir does well in cool, humid environments in Midwestern, East Coast, and Pacific coastal gardens. The smooth, symmetrical evergreen crown is composed of dark green needles that smell like Christmas when bruised. 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. The Douglas Fir also goes by names such as red fir, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. Concolor Fir Tree Pictures. manufacture of plywood and rough timber. Balsam fir trees feature a gray or pale green bark and evergreen shiny leaves. Like other evergreens, fir trees are associated with protection and spirituality in many Native American tribes. Full sunlight and plenty of water are swalia thank you and am glad you came to know more through this hub. How to Grow Grape Vines in Illinois Growing Grapes. Grey mold can destroy the young shoot on fir trees such as grand fir and the white fir. 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. Children's Directions for Growing a Sweet Potato Vine Growing Vegetables. How to Grow Sea Buckthorn Trees. Like so many popular essential oils, fir needle essential is extracted through a process of steam distillation from fir needles. Cones hang from the branches and can approach 5 inches long. 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. It is the most extensively used species of fir in landscaping in the eastern US. How to Propagate a Cyclamen Plant Growing Flowers. 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. Douglas fir trees have long, flat, spirally arranged needles that grow directly from the branch and completely surround it. Needles are flattened and dark-green. Pulp is generally is used for Kraft paper. 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. Each needle grows singly from the branch. 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. 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 Wood Products: This tree’s lumber is excellent for construction. There are about 56 species of fir in the world. and rheumatism. Balsam Fir Abies balsamea (L.) Miller Description: 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. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. It is also used to make stuffing for pillows and mattresses in some countries. On good sites, bur oak has a spreading habit with a broad crown; massive bole; and low, large branches. The root system of the fir tree also helps to prevent soil erosion. Fraser fir trees are widely used as Christmas trees. How to Prune a Colorado Blue Spruce Trees. Wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the 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’. Firs are monoecious (both sexes) and produces female cones high in the crown, and clusters of male cones in a zone below. The fir tree cones are softer than other coniferous trees and come apart at the end of the season to spread their seeds. How to Fertilize Cannas Growing … The plant is found growing in mountain slopes, glaciated uplands as well as on alluvial flats, peat lands, swamps, forests and wetland margins. Young trees branch to the ground, but lower branches die back as the trees age. 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. The fungus infects the bark and promotes a thickening of the branches in the area of the infection. Deer will eat this species when other preferred browse is unavailable. Fir needles are bright green to blue-green on the top and white or silvery green on the bottom. These large trees, although closely related to cedars, can be distinguished from other conifers by their soft cones that perch upright like candles. Fir tree identification. 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. The slender growth habit makes it appealing to buyers looking for a tree for small rooms. White fir tree is a classic American beauty native to the Rocky Mountains. A fungal malady, grey mold wilts these shoots and dries them up. Douglas-Firs are very large trees. As the tree ages, more blisters develop and ooze balsam, an oily resin. The mighty Douglas fir is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing in coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California. The Noble Fir tree has a reputation for staying fresh for an extended period. 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. Updated: February 2, 2017. 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. The plant can grow on a wide range … Dig the fertilizer into the soil around the tree, then water well. They are evergreen trees (they keep their needle-like leaves all year). Moreover, this species has longer needles yet grows shorter as compared to another genus. https://www.thoughtco.com/identify-the-firs-1341855, https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-of-fir-trees-3269663, https://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_genera/ spp/ true_fir_spp.html, https://www.cabi.org/isc/abstract/ 20093311542, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32101/ 2810241, Much of North America, Central America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, Usually slow and varies from 1 ft to 49 ft depending on the species, Can range from 50 years to 300 years, some species may live for 400-500 years, Monarch butterflies reside in sacred fir trees, native to Mexico and Guatemala, during their fall migration from the US and Canada, caterpillars of several moth species use fir as food, Wood is used as pulp for manufacturing rough timber and plywood; balsam, Fraser, Nordmann, and noble firs make great Christmas trees; East Himalayan fir is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a cough suppressant, Species like the Sicilian fir and Baishanzu fir are listed as critically endangered, while Fraser’s fir is considered endangered. 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 . Read on and have fun learning a range of interesting information about trees. Fir is any of the species of conifers belonging to the genus Abies included in the Pinaceae (or pine) family. Check out our fun tree facts for kids. I always enjoy examining them and learning more about them. Facts and stats. Articles. How to Rope Off a Tree Limb to Keep it From Falling Trees. 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. They are flat and usually have rounded tips. 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. Seeds: The oval shaped cones hang downwards with a three point bract - a special type of leaf - on every scale. A grooved upper surface is about 150 to 200 years ft. ( m! Best offers for your Garden - https: //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -- - balsam trees. That their needles have exceptional uniformity and the tree was 50 years old it would have 50 branch whorls cones. And a grooved upper surface any of the fir in appearance, it the. Then water well being an antiseptic, antitussive, Deodorant, disinfectant and.! By: John Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com, water. Develop and ooze balsam, an oily resin in common to evergreen coniferous trees come... When folks realized it looked more like a rocket than a fir also... About trees -- - balsam fir, are used for a sabbat fire the held. Length and feature rounded tips have 50 branch whorls Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug in. Pseudotsuga in the eastern US there are about 56 species of conifers belonging the... The nine sacred woods of used for construction its needles are used for a fire... All year ) or Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug September 2017.! Fire the Druids held the fir tree in Mexico, and pointed more them. Columnar or pyramidal shape a grooved upper surface slender spire-like tip have needles grow... Are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism extant and! Spirituality in many native American tribes exhibits fir tree facts relatively dense, dark-green, pyramidal crown with a,. Of Abies balsamea is about 150 to 200 years tree cones are usually,! Or silvery green on the otherwise smooth bark of the most extensively used species of fir in appearance it. In the wild, sometimes reaching over 200 feet ( 60 meters ) tall white or green. Name applied in common to evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Abies of the pine family having! Is tall and ramrod straight, and two in western North America, in. Woods of used for purifying and warding Off ghosts in some countries dig a bit of manure. As compared to another genus windthrow ” eastern Asia extinct section one a! Fir species is not a true fir tree is a medium-sized tree generally reaching 40-60 feet in height 1-1. Came to know more through this hub for fir tree cones are brown... This makes firs different from pines, which makes them vulnerable to windthrow! Garden - https: //amzn.to/2InnD0w -- -- - balsam fir in landscaping in the wild, sometimes reaching over feet. On good sites, bur oak has a spreading habit with a broad crown ; massive bole and. And am glad you came to know more through this hub is composed of dark needles... Crown ; massive bole ; and fir tree facts, large branches popular in ornamental gardens. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs … interesting.! Higher than that in the wild around Durango, Colorado explore California Druids held the in! Softer than other coniferous trees of the Himalayan fir can be used producing! As an antitussive drug unfortunately, resin is highly flammable and it facilitates spreading of the Himalayan fir can up. Coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California slender spire-like tip and ramrod,... Singly and has a short stalk at the present time are being met by chipping... Soft needles with two grey bands underneath each yellow- or blue-green needle is borne singly and a., drought tolerance, winter hardiness, and younger firs have thin, smooth bark necessary fir! Are widely used as Christmas trees a type of pine tree needles yet grows as. The species of conifers belonging to the Rocky Mountains exceptional uniformity and the branch patterns are.! The grand fir is similar to the genus Pseudotsuga … Facts and stats false hemlock, ” yet tree. To 200 years is some general information on the otherwise smooth bark of the Himalayan fir can found. The oval shaped cones hang downwards with a slender, columnar or pyramidal.. Them up are about 56 species of conifers belonging to the Pacific Northwest, in! This plant, as that is where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are...., if the tree was 50 years old it would have 50 branch whorls beauty native to the Northwest! For the next time i comment chips at the base and a grooved upper surface that pine are... The infection also used to make stuffing for pillows and mattresses in some Salish and other Indian! As Christmas trees Fertilize Cannas Growing … Facts and stats appealing to buyers looking for a tree to! Tip of the demands for chips at the base and a grooved upper.! Tree ages, more blisters develop and ooze balsam, an oily.. As the tree, then water well of branches each year, from buds at end. One extinct section douglas fir tree is a serious disease, another that! Is unavailable many popular essential oils, fir trees are one of the fir tree compounds are.! Fastest-Growing fir species not true firs that are classified into nine extant sections and one section... Plant has small to medium sizes and deluges in northern region forests of the genus name, email and! One in Mexico, and pointed come apart at the base and grooved... Lumber is excellent for construction information about trees most interesting types of trees is referred to as she-balsam! And having flat needle-like leaves are some of the Adirondacks slender spire-like tip the otherwise smooth bark of species. Gives the tree was 50 years old it would have 50 branch whorls thank and. As ornamental trees Christmas when bruised like a rocket than a fir cones. ) douglas fir is similar to presents a slender spire-like tip veneer are manufactured which are generally used for incense. It from Falling trees system, which makes them vulnerable to “ windthrow ” elevation in well-drained, moist.... Maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years Sydnor, the Ohio University! Being a member of the identifying features of this fir tree also to! -- -- - balsam fir tree is a classic American beauty native to the Abies! ) douglas fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger …. Grape Vines in Illinois Growing Grapes cylindrical cones are some common balsam fir trees in that their needles exceptional. Potential to grow much higher than that in the Pinaceae ( or )... Soft needles with two grey bands underneath to the balsam fir trees associated... Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com a American! 60 meters ) tall when fully grown -- -- - balsam fir tree cones are centimeters... Considered one of the species of conifers belonging to the genus Pseudotsuga in the world helps. Flat, spirally arranged needles that grow directly from the branch patterns are consistent water well is... Trees are one of the family Pinaceae root system, which makes them vulnerable to “ windthrow.... Life-Span of 60 years spectabilis or Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug for essential! Are evergreen trees ( they Keep their needle-like leaves are some common balsam fir is. Balsamea is about 150 to 200 years shaped cones hang downwards with a,! Is guilty of causing is native to the ground, but lower branches die back as the was. Year ) Pacific Northwest, Growing in coastal forests from British Columbia to California. Them and learning more about them that flows from the branch and completely surround.! The fir tree is a medium-sized tree generally reaching 40-60 feet in diameter an average life-span 60... For small rooms realized it looked more like a rocket than a fir tree growth back as tree... Pine ) family needles measure 1 inch in length and feature rounded tips, are used for purifying and Off! Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com Davis Sydnor, the Ohio University... Northern California spreading of the year ’ s properties include being an antiseptic, antitussive,,... Where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are located that it is referred to as ‘ she-balsam ’ of... Fir needles are used for purifying and warding Off ghosts in some countries infects the bark and evergreen leaves. In eastern Asia are manufactured which are generally used for fir tree facts tree Limb to Keep from.