Family: Pinaceae
Author: Rehder
Bibliography: Rhodora 42: 522 (1940)
Year: 1940
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Abies
Vegetable: False
Observations: Washington to NW. California
Description
Red fir, known scientifically as Abies procera, is a distinguished member of the Pinaceae family. This majestic conifer is endemic to the temperate forests stretching from Washington State to Northwestern California. Abies procera is noted for its impressive stature and graceful form, attributes that contribute significantly to the sylvan landscapes of its native range.
Esteemed botanist Rehder meticulously cataloged this species in Rhodora in 1940, where the characteristics and ecological significance of the Red fir were detailed. Typically, these trees soar to remarkable heights, standing as towering sentinels in the forest. Their foliage, composed of needle-like leaves, is arranged in a fashion that enhances the tree’s aesthetic appeal, offering a lush and verdant canopy.
Red firs thrive in the cool and moist climates endemic to their natural habitats, often found in higher elevations where they play a pivotal role in forest ecology. Their robust trunks are covered in distinctive bark that, in mature trees, manifests in deep fissures and rich, reddish hues—a feature that likely inspired their common name.
This species is not only essential for its ecological contributions—providing habitat and food for various wildlife—but it also holds economic value. Its timber is sought after for construction and various wood products due to its strength and workability.
In summary, Abies procera is a tree of great beauty and utility, celebrated in botanical literature for its grandeur and ecological importance. Its presence from Washington to Northwestern California highlights its adaptability and vital role in these temperate forest ecosystems.
Common Names
Ita: abete bianco americano, abete nobile
Eng: christmastree, noble fir, red fir, white fir
Deu: edel-tanne, edle tanne
Nld: edele zilverspar, edelspar
Hun: nemes jegenyefenyo
Nor: nobelgran
Dan: nobilis, nobilisgran, nobilisædelgran, sølv-ædelgran, sølvgran
Spa: abeto noble
Swe: kaskadgran
Fra: sapin noble
Rus: пихта высокая (pikhta vysokaya)
Zho: 高大冷杉 (gao da leng shan)
Cym: ffynidwydden urddasol
En: Red fir, Christmastree, Noble fir, White fir
Ar: شوح طويل
Ca: Avet noble
Zh: 高大冷杉 (gao da leng shan)
Hr: Plemenita jela
Cs: Jedle vznešená
Da: Sølv-Gran, Nobilis, Nobilisgran, Nobilisædelgran, Sølv-ædelgran, Sølvgran
Nl: Nobilisspar, Edele zilverspar, Edelspar
Et: Hõbenulg
Fi: Aitopihta
Fr: Sapin noble, Sapin de l’Oregon
De: Edeltanne, Edel-Tanne, Edle Tanne
He: אשוח אציל
Hu: Nemes jegenyefenyő, Nemes jegenyefenyo
Is: Eðalþinur
It: Abete nobile, Abete bianco americano
Lt: Kvapusis kėnis
No: Nobeledelgran, Nobelgran
Fa: نراد اصیل
Pl: Jodła szlachetna
Ru: Пихта высокая (pikhta vysokaya)
Sk: Jedľa vznešená
Es: Srebrna jelka, Abeto noble
Sv: Kaskadgran
Cy: Ffynidwydden urddasol
Synonyms
- Abies nobilis ((Douglas ex D.Don) Lindl.)
- Abies nobilis var. robusta (Beissn.)
- Pinus nobilis f. glauca ((Ravenscr.) Voss)
- Abies nobilis var. prostrata (Hornibr. ex Chitt.)
- Picea nobilis var. coerulea (Paul ex J.Dix)
- Abies nobilis var. glauca ((Ravenscr.) Carrière)
- Abies procera f. prostrata ((Hornibr. ex Chitt.) Rehder)
- Picea nobilis ((Douglas ex D.Don) Loudon)
- Abies nobilis var. compacta (Chitt.)
- Picea nobilis var. glauca (Ravenscr.)
- Abies nobilis var. glaucophylla (Sudw.)
- Pseudotsuga nobilis ((Douglas ex D.Don) W.R.McNab)
- Abies procera f. glauca ((Ravenscr.) Rehder)
- Abies nobilis var. argentea (Freudenberg)
- Pinus nobilis (Douglas ex D.Don)
Distribution
- California (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Washington (native)
- Denmark (introduced)
- Føroyar (introduced)
- Germany (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Norway (introduced)
- Sweden (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2019 by Daniel Schröer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Oct 6, 2020 by Karel Pohanka (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Françoise Peyrissat (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Almudena Jiménez (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 27, 2022 by Hornemann Dieter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Ursula Wittor (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2020 by j p (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2020 by lotag79 lotag79 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Almudena Jiménez (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 4, 2022 by Landschaftsgärtner (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2685308)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:676607-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Abies procera Rehder)
Specifications
Growth form>: Single Stem
Growth habit>: Tree
Growth rate>: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 6.0
