Practical
Plants

Abies alba

Silver Fir

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abies genus in the family Pinaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Abies
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
45 (unit unspecified)
Spread
15 (unit unspecified)
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Inner bark - cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[4][9].

Plant part
Inner bark

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The buds are antibiotic, antiseptic and balsamic[18]. The bark is antiseptic and astringent[18]. It can be harvested as required throughout the year[12]. The leaves are expectorant and a bronchial sedative[18]. They are best harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[12]. The resin is antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, eupeptic, expectorant, vasoconstrictor and vulnerary[18]. Both the leaves and the resin are common ingredients in remedies for colds and coughs, either taken internally or used as an inhalant[12]. The leaves and/or the resin are used in folk medicine to treat bronchitis, cystitis, leucorrhoea, ulcers and flatulent colic[13]. The resin is also used externally in bath extracts, rubbing oils etc for treating rheumatic pains and neuralgia[12]. Oil of Turpentine, which is obtained from the trunk of the tree, is occasionally used instead of the leaves or the resin. The oil is also rubefacient and can be applied externally in the treatment of neuralgia[13].

Product or use
Antibiotic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Balsamic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An oleo-resin is obtained from blister-like swellings in the bark[17][2]. It is harvested in the summer and used fresh, dried or distilled for oil[12]. The resin extracted from it is used in perfumery, medicine and for caulking ships[14][16][17][2]. It is called 'Strasburg Turpentine'[14]. Oil of turpentine is an important solvent in the paint industry[12]. The residue, known as 'rosin oil', is used in making varnishes, lacquers and carbon black (for pigments and ink)[12]. Resin is tapped from trees about 60 - 80 years old in the spring and used for the distillation of oil[12]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as a disinfectant and also in medicine and perfumery[14][16]. It is a common ingredient in many bath products, giving them their familiar pine scent[18]. The bark is a source of tannin[18]. Wood - light, soft, durable, elastic. The timber of this tree is especially sought after for its lightness, it is used for construction, furniture, boxes, pulp etc[18][14][16][22][3].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Lacquer
Product or use
Paint
Product or use
Resin
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
C. and S. Europe
Habitat
Forests in mountains, 1000 - 1600 metres.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[19]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[19]. 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[20][6]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[6]. 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[19] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[20].

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1] though it tolerates most soils except infertile sands and peats[5][21]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acid soil, with a pH down to about 5, and a north-facing slope[11]. Plants are very shade tolerant and this species has often been used to underplant in forests[5][21], but growth is slower in dense shade[21]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Requires a generous rainfall and a sheltered position[5][21]. Intolerant of windy sites[21]. The silver fir is a very hardy plant when dormant but it comes into growth in April and is then susceptible to damage by late frosts and aphis[10][12]. This species is particularly subject to aphis infestation in many parts of the country[5], and is also prone to dieback and rust caused by fungal infections[12]. Trees are slow growing for the first few years but from the age of around 6 years growth accelerates and height increases of 1 metre a year are not uncommon[10]. Grows best in moist valleys in Scotland[5] and in S.W. England where it often self-sows. This species also thrives in E. Anglia[8]. Another report says that this species is not happy in the hot, dry, Lower Thames Valley, and does not thrive in many low-lying and frosty parts of southern England[5]. It has been planted as a timber tree in northern and western Europe[15]. It is also commonly used as a 'Christmas tree'[16][11]. This tree is notably resistant to honey fungus[5][21][11]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, preferably 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[11]. Unlike most species of conifers, this tree can be coppiced and will regenerate from the stump[7]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[11]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[11]. The cultivar 'Pendula' used to be widely planted for ornament, shelter and timber but because it is now susceptible to damage by Adelges nordmannianae it is seldom planted. Research is going on (1975) to find provenances that are resistant[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  3. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 32202/01/01

    ↩

  4. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

    ↩

  5. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  6. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2

  7. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 6. 1984 - 1985. Royal Horticultural Society 32202/01/01

    ↩

  8. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  10. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  13. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2

  14. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  15. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  16. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 32202/01/01 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber

    ↩1↩2

  18. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  19. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2

  21. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  22. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩

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