Abies grandis
Grand Fir
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abies genus in the family Pinaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Inner bark - cooked. It is usually dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[4]. It is best used in the spring when it is rich and juicy[9]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[6]. The gum from the trunk is hardened (probably in cold water[K]) and used as a chewing gum[13]. It can also be made into a drink[13]. Young shoot tips are used as a tea substitute[6][13].
- Product or use
- Drink
- 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.
A gum that exudes from the bark is used externally as an ointment[12]. It has also been used as a wash for sore and infected eyes and as a gargle for sore throats[13]. A decoction is laxative and tonic, it is used to treat stomach problems[13]. Externally, the gum is applied as a poultice to cuts and sores[13]. A decoction of the root bark or stem is used in the treatment of stomach problems and TB[13]. A poultice is applied to joints to ease rheumatism or to the chest to treat lung haemorrhages[13]. A decoction of the leaves is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds[13].
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- TB
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The aromatic leaves are used as a moth repellent[5]. The boughs have been used in the home as an incense[13]. A pink dye can be obtained from the bark[10]. The dried and hardened pitch can be chewed as a tooth cleanser[13]. A powder made from the dried and crushed leaves was used as a baby powder by the N. American Indians[10]. The bark can be used as a waterproof covering material for buildings and canoes[13]. Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not strong, not very durable. Used for interior work, cases, etc[14][17][21]. Of little value as a lumber, it is used mainly for pulp and fuel[11][13].
- Product or use
- Baby care
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Incense
- Product or use
- Repellent
- Product or use
- Roofing
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Idaho.
- Habitat
- Found in a variety of soils, but the best specimens are growing in deep rich alluvial soils[11] It ranges from the coast to inland elevations of about 2000 metres if growing by streams[16][21].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- 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[18]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[18]. 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[19][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[18] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[19].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and succeeds in poor sandy soils[7]. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[20]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Trees succeeds in very exposed positions, even if the top is blown out by the wind the trees make one or more new tops and continue growing with no loss of vigour[2][7]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[8]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[8]. This species thrives exceedingly well in the moister parts of Britain, where it grows very quickly[2]. It is cultivated for timber in W. and N. Europe[15]. Trees are slow growing for the first few years but they are then quite fast with trees growing 60 - 100cm in height and 8cm in girth per year even when they are quite large[1][7]. New growth takes place from early May to July[7]. Trees grow best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland and in the far west of Britain[2]. Some trees have reached heights in excess of 60 metres in 100 years in Wales and Scotland, making them amongst the tallest trees in Europe[8]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is rarely harmed by disease, insects or frost[1]. The crushed leaves have a fruity orange-flavoured aroma[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]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[8]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[8].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0889025649
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X
Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. 1965-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20278-X