How to Manage and Identify Noble Fir
Introduction to Noble Fir:
Noble fir or Abies procera is commonly called red fir or white fir. This true fir is impressive and limited to the Cascade Range and Coast Ranges of the Pacific Northwest. Noble fir attains the largest dimensions of any of the true fir species.
Noble fir is considered an excellent Christmas tree because of its beauty, stiff branches and long keepability. Noble fir represents between 25% and 30% of the fresh Christmas tree market in the Pacific Northwest and is a major source of greenery.
Noble fir Specifics:
Scientific name: Abies procera
Pronunciation: AY-beez Pro-SEER-uh
Common name(s): Noble fir, red fir, white fir
Family: Pinaceae
USDA hardiness zones:USDA hardiness zones: Mostly 8A and 8B
Origin: Native to North America
Uses: Christmas trees, greenery, ornamental and landscaping planting, ladder rail stock and airplane construction.
Noble Fir Description:
Height: 140 to 200 feet
Trunk Diameter: 3 to 5 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: Conical to rounded when mature
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: fine
History of Noble Fir:
This beautiful tree has large, showy cones which are mostly covered by papery bracts. The Noble Fir was named by the Scottish botanical explorer David Douglas (1798-1834). It is the tallest true fir and the species champion is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwestern Washington. This Noble fir is 278 feet high, has a trunk circumference of 28 feet and has a crown spread of 47 feet.
In Depth:
Noble fir lumber is sometimes marketed as "Oregon larch". Loggers and lumbermen have much to do with this name change as most firs, except Noble fir, are not much good for lumber. Others think the name came from the Larch Mountains because they were covered with large stands of noble fir.
Actually the wood is moderately strong and light in weight. It is valued for its weight, light color and uniform straight grain and was cut for structural material in fighter planes during WWII. The wood of Noble fir ranges from nearly white to reddish brown. The sapwood is indistinguishable from the heartwood.
Noble fir wood is easy to work. The tree's warm, light color and straight grain makes ideal interior finish material for siding, paneling and doors. It is often sold separately for appearance applications and as Hem-Fir (Hemlock-Fir) for construction applications. Uses include lumber, plywood, pulp for paper, framing, sheathing, subflooring, concrete forms, decking, planking, beams, posts, siding, paneling, millwork, prefabricated buildings and structural members, industrial crating and shook, furniture parts, mobile homes, fresh fruit and vegetable containers.
Noble fir or Abies procera is commonly called red fir or white fir. This true fir is impressive and limited to the Cascade Range and Coast Ranges of the Pacific Northwest. Noble fir attains the largest dimensions of any of the true fir species.
Noble fir is considered an excellent Christmas tree because of its beauty, stiff branches and long keepability. Noble fir represents between 25% and 30% of the fresh Christmas tree market in the Pacific Northwest and is a major source of greenery.
Noble fir Specifics:
Scientific name: Abies procera
Pronunciation: AY-beez Pro-SEER-uh
Common name(s): Noble fir, red fir, white fir
Family: Pinaceae
USDA hardiness zones:USDA hardiness zones: Mostly 8A and 8B
Origin: Native to North America
Uses: Christmas trees, greenery, ornamental and landscaping planting, ladder rail stock and airplane construction.
Noble Fir Description:
Height: 140 to 200 feet
Trunk Diameter: 3 to 5 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: Conical to rounded when mature
Crown density: moderate
Growth rate: slow
Texture: fine
History of Noble Fir:
This beautiful tree has large, showy cones which are mostly covered by papery bracts. The Noble Fir was named by the Scottish botanical explorer David Douglas (1798-1834). It is the tallest true fir and the species champion is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwestern Washington. This Noble fir is 278 feet high, has a trunk circumference of 28 feet and has a crown spread of 47 feet.
In Depth:
Noble fir lumber is sometimes marketed as "Oregon larch". Loggers and lumbermen have much to do with this name change as most firs, except Noble fir, are not much good for lumber. Others think the name came from the Larch Mountains because they were covered with large stands of noble fir.
Actually the wood is moderately strong and light in weight. It is valued for its weight, light color and uniform straight grain and was cut for structural material in fighter planes during WWII. The wood of Noble fir ranges from nearly white to reddish brown. The sapwood is indistinguishable from the heartwood.
Noble fir wood is easy to work. The tree's warm, light color and straight grain makes ideal interior finish material for siding, paneling and doors. It is often sold separately for appearance applications and as Hem-Fir (Hemlock-Fir) for construction applications. Uses include lumber, plywood, pulp for paper, framing, sheathing, subflooring, concrete forms, decking, planking, beams, posts, siding, paneling, millwork, prefabricated buildings and structural members, industrial crating and shook, furniture parts, mobile homes, fresh fruit and vegetable containers.
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