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Abies grandis
  • Grand Fir

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

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Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Abies grandis has 0 edible uses listed
Abies grandis has 0 material uses listed
Abies grandis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

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[1]. It is best used in the spring when it is rich and juicy[2]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[3].

The gum from the trunk is hardened (probably in cold water[K]) and used as a chewing gum[4]. It can also be made into a drink[4].

Young shoot tips are used as a tea substitute[3][4].

Unknown part

Drink
Gum
Tea

Inner bark

Unknown use

Material uses

The aromatic leaves are used as a moth repellent[5]. The boughs have been used in the home as an incense[4].

A pink dye can be obtained from the bark[6]. The dried and hardened pitch can be chewed as a tooth cleanser[4]. A powder made from the dried and crushed leaves was used as a baby powder by the N. American Indians[6]. The bark can be used as a waterproof covering material for buildings and canoes[4].

Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not strong, not very durable. Used for interior work, cases, etc[7][8][9]. Of little value as a lumber, it is used mainly for pulp and fuel[10][4].

Unknown part

Baby care
Dye
Incense
Repellent
Roofing
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A gum that exudes from the bark is used externally as an ointment[11]. It has also been used as a wash for sore and infected eyes and as a gargle for sore throats[4]. A decoction is laxative and tonic, it is used to treat stomach problems[4]. Externally, the gum is applied as a poultice to cuts and sores[4].

A decoction of the root bark or stem is used in the treatment of stomach problems and TB[4]. A poultice is applied to joints to ease rheumatism or to the chest to treat lung haemorrhages[4].

A decoction of the leaves is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds[4].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Laxative
Ophthalmic
Skin
Stomachic
TB
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[12]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[12]. 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[13][14]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[14]. 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[12] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[13].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Abies grandis. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[15]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and succeeds in poor sandy soils[16]. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[17]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[15]. 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[18][16]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[19]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[19].

This species thrives exceedingly well in the moister parts of Britain, where it grows very quickly[18]. It is cultivated for timber in W. and N. Europe[20]. 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[15][16]. New growth takes place from early May to July[16]. Trees grow best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland and in the far west of Britain[18]. 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[19]. A very ornamental plant[15], it is rarely harmed by disease, insects or frost[15]. The crushed leaves have a fruity orange-flavoured aroma[16]. 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[19].

Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[19]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Abies grandis. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Abies grandis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Abies grandis
Genus
Abies
Family
Pinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[11][4]
Material uses & Functions
[5][4][6][7][8][9][10]
Botanic
[18][21][19]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
75 x 8 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Abgragra-top.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  2. ? 2.02.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.124.134.144.15 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden. ()
  6. ? 6.06.16.2 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  17. ? Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
  18. ? 18.018.118.218.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  19. ? 19.019.119.219.319.419.519.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  20. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  21. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)

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Facts about "Abies grandis"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPinaceae +
Belongs to genusAbies +
Has common nameGrand Fir +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part + and Inner bark +
Has edible useDrink +, Gum +, Unknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageAbgragra-top.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useBaby care +, Dye +, Incense +, Repellent +, Roofing + and Wood +
Has mature height75 +
Has mature width8 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Laxative +, Ophthalmic +, Skin +, Stomachic +, TB + and Tonic +
Has primary imageAbgragra-top.jpg +
Has search nameabies grandis + and x +
Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameAbies grandis +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +