Practical
Plants

Abies amabilis

Red 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
slow
Height
30 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young shoot tips are used as a substitute for tea[5][6]. The pitch obtained from the bark can be hardened (probably by immersing it in cold water[K]) and used as a chewing gum[16]. Inner bark[16]. No further information is given, but inner bark can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with grain flours etc to make bread and other preparations[16].

Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Tea
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.

This plant was used quite widely by native North American Indians. An infusion of the bark was used as a tonic and to treat stomach ailments, TB, haemorrhoids and various minor complaints[16]. The pitch, or resin, was also used to treat colds, sore throats etc[16]. The bark of this tree contains blisters that are filled with a resin called 'Canadian Balsam'[12]. Although the report does not mention the uses of this resin, it can almost certainly be used in the same ways as the resin of A. balsamea, as detailed below:- The resin obtained from this tree (see 'Uses notes' below) has been used throughout the world and is a very effective antiseptic and healing agent. It is used as a healing and analgesic protective covering for burns, bruises, wounds and sores[10][11][12]. It is also used to treat sore nipples[10] and is said to be one of the best curatives for a sore throat[15]. The resin is also antiscorbutic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[17][4][11]. It is used internally in propriety mixtures to treat coughs and diarrhoea, though taken in excess it is purgative[14]. A warm liquid of the gummy sap was drunk as a treatment for gonorrhoea[9]. A tea made from the leaves is antiscorbutic[17][4]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, colds and fevers[11]. The leaves and young shoots are best harvested in the spring and dried for later use[14].

Material uses

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

The boughs are fragrant and can be hung in the home as an air freshener[16]. Wood - hard, light, not strong, close grained, not very durable. It is used for framing small buildings but is not strong enough for larger buildings. It is also used for crates, pulp etc[18][19][24][12][13]. This tree yields the resin 'Canadian Balsam'[12]. The report does not mention the uses of this balsam, but the following are the ways that it is used when obtained from A. balsamea:- The balsamic resin 'Balm of Gilead'[2][18] or 'Canada Balsam' according to other reports[20][12][14] is obtained during July and August from blisters in the bark or by cutting pockets in the wood[11]. Another report says that it is a turpentine[4]. It is used medicinally and in dentistry, also in the manufacture of glues, candles and as a cement for microscopes and slides - it has a high refractive index resembling that of glass[2][18][20][24][11][12][14]. The average yield is about 8 - 10 oz per tree[4]. The resin is also a fixative in soaps and perfumery[4][14].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
North-western N. America - Alaska to Oregon.
Habitat
High mountain slopes and benches, going down to sea-level in the north of its range[24]. The best specimens grow in deep moist soils and cool wet air conditions such as fog belts[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
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[21]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[21]. 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[22][3]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[3]. 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[21] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[22].

Cultivation

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

Requires a good moist but not water-logged soil in a sheltered position[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant[2][23] but growth is slower in dense shade[23]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[8]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[8]. Trees are somewhat shallow rooted and are therefore susceptible to strong winds[13]. Grows best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland[2]. It does very well on glacial moraines in Scotland[23]. When grown in an open position, the tree clothes itself to the ground with gracefully drooping branches, though on the whole, this species does not grow well in Britain[2]. Trees have been of variable growth in this country and seem to be short-lived[7]. The best and fastest growing specimens are to be found in the north and far west of the country[7]. Growth in girth can be very quick, 1.8 metres in 35 years has been recorded[7]. 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[8]. The crushed leaves have an odour like orange peel[2]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[8]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[8]. This species is often confused with A. nordmanniana[2]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Trees are sometimes grown as 'Christmas trees'[8]. Plants are susceptible to injury by aphis[2].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  7. Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

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  10. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  16. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  17. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  18. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  19. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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

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  21. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

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  23. Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

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