Giant fir (Abies grandis, Penny Cyclop. 1: 30 (1833))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: (Douglas ex D.Don) Lindl.

Bibliography: Penny Cyclop. 1: 30 (1833)

Year: 1833

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Abies

Vegetable: False

Observations: SW. Canada to N. California

Description

The Giant Fir, scientifically known as Abies grandis, is a magnificent species within the Pinaceae family. Recognized for its towering presence, this conifer is native to the lush forests that stretch from southwestern Canada to northern California.

The botanical journey of Abies grandis has been well-documented, with its initial identification credited to renowned botanists Douglas and D.Don, and later formalized by Lindl. This majestic tree was referenced as early as 1833 in the Penny Cyclopaedia, underscoring its longstanding presence in botanical literature.

The Giant Fir thrives in regions with cool, moist climates, often found on mountain slopes and in valleys where the conditions foster its growth into a towering giant. Typically, the tree boasts a straight trunk adorned with smooth, grey bark which thickens and becomes furrowed with age. Its pyramidal shape is formed by branches that gracefully sweep upwards, displaying dense, dark green needles that contribute to its evergreen beauty.

Ecologically, Abies grandis plays a crucial role in its native habitat. The dense foliage provides shelter and nesting sites for various bird species, while its seeds are a food source for wildlife. The tree’s extensive root system also aids in soil stabilization, making it an important species for ecosystem integrity.

In human uses, the wood of the Giant Fir is valued for its lightweight and fine grain, making it desirable for construction, paper production, and furniture manufacturing. Beyond its practical uses, the tree holds aesthetic appeal in landscaping, valued for its imposing height and striking greenery, which offers a year-round visual spectacle.

Overall, the Giant Fir stands as a symbol of the grandeur of North America’s coniferous forests, illustrating both the beauty and utility of these remarkable trees.

Common Names

Ita: abete bianco americano, abete di vancouver
Eng: giant fir, grand fir, lowland fir, lowland white fir, yellow fir, silver fir, white fir
Dan: grandis, kæmpe-ædelgran, kæmpegran
Deu: grosse küsten-tanne, kalifornische küstentanne, küsten-tanne, riesentanne
Nor: kjempeedelgran
Hun: parti jegenyefenyo, óriás jegenyefenyo
Nld: reuzen zilverspar, reuzenzilverspar
Fra: sapin de vancouver, sapin géant, sapin grandissime
Spa: abeto gigante
Ces: jedle obrovská
Rus: пихта большая
Zho: 北美冷杉 (bei mei leng shan)
Swe: kustgran
Cym: ffynidwydden fawr
En: Giant Fir, Grand fir, Lowland fir, Lowland white fir, Yellow fir, Silver fir, White fir, Western Balsam Fir
Ca: Avet americà, Avet gegant americà
Zh: 北美冷杉 (bei mei leng shan)
Cs: Jedle obrovská
Da: Grandis, Kæmpe-ædelgran, Kæmpegran
Nl: Reuzen zilverspar, Reuzenzilverspar, Vancouver Den
Fr: Sapin de Vancouver, Sapin géant, Sapin grandissime, Sapin de Californie, Sapin de l’Orégon
De: Grosse Küsten-Tanne, Kalifornische Küstentanne, Küsten-Tanne, Riesentanne, Große Küsten-Tanne, Große Küstentanne, Riesen-Tanne
Hu: Parti jegenyefenyo, Óriás jegenyefenyo
It: Abete bianco americano, Abete di Vancouver, Abete gigante
No: Kjempeedelgran
Ru: Пихта большая
Es: Abeto gigante, Abeto de Vancouver, Abeto grande
Sv: Kustgran
Cy: Ffynidwydden Fawr

Synonyms

• Pinus grandis (Douglas ex D.Don)
• Picea grandis ((Douglas ex D.Don) Loudon)
• Abies grandis pendula (Späth)
• Abies parsonsiana (Mast.)
• Abies grandis var. idahoensis (Silba)
• Abies grandis f. johnsonii (O.V.Matthews)
• Abies excelsior (Franco)
• Abies occidentalis (Cinovskis)
• Abies gordoniana var. pumila (Anon.)
• Abies aromatica (Raf.)
• Abies parsonii (Anon.)
• Picea parsonsii (Gordon)
• Abies grandis subsp. idahoensis ((Silba) Silba)
• Abies lasiocarpa (Lindl. & Gordon)
• Abies gordoniana (Carrière)

Distribution

• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Montana (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Washington (native)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Steff N (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2019 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2021 by w-mue (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2685361)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1033427-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Abies grandis (Douglas ex D.Don) Lindl.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 6

Soil nutriments: 5