When cultivated, they can reach heights of 60 feet (18.2 meters) tall and up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide. Large trees generally require no fertilizer, but you can always dig a bit of well-rotted manure or compost into soil. Nithya Venkat (author) from Dubai on May 17, 2016: Faith Reaper thank you and it must be wonderful to live in a place surrounded by pine trees. Read on and have fun learning a range of interesting information about trees. Thank you for sharing all the facts. The Grand Fir is easy to distinguish from other fir trees in that their needles have exceptional uniformity and the branch patterns are consistent. Parts of the Himalayan fir can be used for producing incense. Leaves: It has soft needles with two grey bands underneath. I think that pine trees are one of the most interesting types of trees. It exhibits a relatively dense, dark-green, pyramidal crown with a slender spire-like tip. It’s properties include being an antiseptic, antitussive, Deodorant, disinfectant and expectorant. The Douglas Fir also goes by names such as red fir, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. Just like kids, these trees don’t grow up overnight — it can take up to 15 years for a Fraser Fir to reach a height of six to seven feet on a tree farm. Balsam Fir Tree Facts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, if the tree was 50 years old it would have 50 branch whorls. I always enjoy examining them and learning more about them. Wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the The concolor fir was first found by William Lobb during 1849-1853 when he was on his way to explore California. The evergreen needles measure 1 inch in length and feature rounded tips. swalia thank you and am glad you came to know more through this hub. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Here is some general information on the douglas-fir tree. First described in 1768, balsam fir is a medium-sized tree generally reaching 40-60 feet in height and 1-1 1/2 feet in diameter. Winter buds are brown, shiny, and pointed. Other coniferous trees such as Douglas fir, joint fir, and hemlock fir are also called firs, but they are not true firs because they belong to different genera like Pseudotsuga, Ephedra, and Tsuga. Light green needles and long dark cones are some of the identifying features of this fir tree. The China fir may grow to a height of 50 metres (160 feet), with a circumference of about 5.5 metres (18 feet); it is covered with fragrant, reddish brown bark that is shed in long strips. Douglas-Firs are very large trees. The needles are the most important part of this plant, as that is where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are located. Its needles are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism. The tops of the leaves are dark green and shiny but the underside is a silver-blue color that inspires the nickname of … Check out our fun tree facts for kids. A tea made by green fir needles in boiling water is high in vitamins A and C. Firs are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some Lepidoptera species. The plant can grow on a wide range … Fir trees can be anywhere from 17 feet (5 meters) to 200 feet (60 meters) tall when fully grown. Mature cones are usually brown, young in summer can be green, yellow, purple, blue or dark purple-blue. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by the unique attachment of their needle-like leaves to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup. Douglas-fir is the English name applied in common to evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. Being a member of the pine family and having flat needle-like leaves are some common balsam fir tree facts. Plains Indian tribes commonly burn fir needles as incense, and northern Algonquian tribes bundled spruce and fir needles into sachets or herbal pillows to protect against illness. The root system of the fir tree also helps to prevent soil erosion. Learn how tall trees can grow, how long they can live, how they help us breathe, what wood can be used for, what tree roots do and much more. Height: The Douglas fir can grow to be very tall indeed, and can grow up to 60 metres in Britain. Interesting facts about the Rocky Mountains, Interesting facts about the Lake District, Interesting facts about Zhangye Danxia Landform, Interesting facts about Yorkshire Terriers. Fir branches are used for purifying and warding off ghosts in some Salish and other Northwest Indian rituals. How to Fertilize Cannas Growing … How to Prune a Colorado Blue Spruce Trees. The leaves are like needles. This stiffly pyramidal evergreen is also known as Colorado fir. deciduous tree widely distributed across the United States. How to Rope Off a Tree Limb to Keep it From Falling Trees. Indicative of the taxonomic confusion about this tree, the scientific genus name Pseudotsuga means “false hemlock,” alluding to yet another kind of tree somewhat similar to this unique but important tree. Full sunlight and plenty of water are also necessary for fir tree growth. White fir tree is a classic American beauty native to the Rocky Mountains. Fir is any of the species of conifers belonging to the genus Abies included in the Pinaceae (or pine) family. These large trees, although closely related to cedars, can be distinguished from other conifers by their soft cones that perch upright like candles. The tree was surrounded by some controversy during construction—the local Catholic archbishop thought it was a waste of money (about $80,000) that should have gone to charity—and it ultimately didn't stay up for long. Canaan fir, also called West Virginia balsam fir, is a little known tree that is native to isolated pockets in the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia. Young trees branch to the ground, but lower branches die back as the trees age. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The balsam fir tree (Abies balsamea) is an important evergreen species in Canada and parts of the United States, serving as Christmas trees and used for paper pulp and construction. Firs are uninodal, producing one whorl of branches each year, from buds at the tip of the year’s new shoot. How to Propagate a Cyclamen Plant Growing Flowers. manufacture of plywood and rough timber. © 2021 (Coniferous Forest). Cones hang from the branches and can approach 5 inches long. also necessary for fir tree growth. Douglas fir trees have long, flat, spirally arranged needles that grow directly from the branch and completely surround it. Seeds: The oval shaped cones hang downwards with a three point bract - a special type of leaf - on every scale. One of the nine sacred woods of used for a sabbat fire the Druids held the fir in high esteem. There are about 56 species of fir in the world. Firs are monoecious (both sexes) and produces female cones high in the crown, and clusters of male cones in a zone below. https://www.thoughtco.com/identify-the-firs-1341855, https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-of-fir-trees-3269663, https://oregonstate.edu/trees/conifer_genera/ spp/ true_fir_spp.html, https://www.cabi.org/isc/abstract/  20093311542, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32101/ 2810241, Much of North America, Central America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, Usually slow and varies from 1 ft to 49 ft depending on the species, Can range from 50 years to 300 years, some species may live for 400-500 years, Monarch butterflies reside in sacred fir trees, native to Mexico and Guatemala, during their fall migration from the US and Canada, caterpillars of several moth species use fir as food, Wood is used as pulp for manufacturing rough timber and plywood; balsam, Fraser, Nordmann, and noble firs make great Christmas trees; East Himalayan fir is used in Ayurvedic medicine as a cough suppressant, Species like the Sicilian fir and Baishanzu fir are listed as critically endangered, while Fraser’s fir is considered endangered. Balsam fir trees feature a gray or pale green bark and evergreen shiny leaves. Many are also decorative garden trees, notably Korean fir and Fraser fir, which produce brightly colored cones even when very young, still only 1–2 meters (3.3–6.6 feet) tall. Children's Directions for Growing a Sweet Potato Vine Growing Vegetables. Fir tree identification. Abies spectabilis or Talispatra is used in Ayurveda as an antitussive drug. Trees are tall plants made of wood. Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known. By: John Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com. Tree Facts for Kids. and rheumatism. On good sites, bur oak has a spreading habit with a broad crown; massive bole; and low, large branches. All rights reserved. How to Root Loropetalum Cuttings Shrubs. Like other evergreens, fir trees are associated with protection and spirituality in many Native American tribes. As the tree ages, more blisters develop and ooze balsam, an oily resin. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. Nordmann fir, noble fir, Fraser fir and balsam fir are popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be the best for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Deer will eat this species when other preferred browse is unavailable. The concolor firs have a shallow and widespread root system, which makes them vulnerable to “windthrow”. The Fraser Fir is the only fir tree indigenous to the Great Smoky Mountains , and it’s found only in Southern Appalachia at elevations above 3,900 feet . The hanging oblong Like so many popular essential oils, fir needle essential is extracted through a process of steam distillation from fir needles. Each yellow- or blue-green needle is borne singly and has a short stalk at the base and a grooved upper surface. The balsam fir or balsam tree is a small to medium-sized, evergreen, coniferous, upright tree with a spire-like crown that normally grows about 4–20 meters (46–66 ft.) tall, occasionally reaching a height of 27 meters (89 ft.). Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The Noble Fir tree has a reputation for staying fresh for an extended period. Dig the fertilizer into the soil around the tree, then water well. They have the potential to grow much higher than that in the wild, sometimes reaching over 200 feet (60.9 meters) tall. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs have thin, smooth bark. Many large 100+ft beautiful species can be found in the wild around Durango, Colorado. There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia. Save For Later Print. They also grow upwards instead of hanging down. It is also used to make stuffing for pillows and mattresses in some countries. Fraser Fir is a uniformly, pyramid-shaped tree. Strong branches are turned slightly upward which gives the tree a compact appearance. Its trunk is tall and ramrod straight, and the tree presents a slender, columnar or pyramidal shape. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w ----- Balsam Fir Tree Facts. A variety of grades of veneer are manufactured which are generally used for construction. Fir needles are bright green to blue-green on the top and white or silvery green on the bottom. Unfortunately, resin is highly flammable and it Concolor Fir Tree Pictures. The combination of form, dark green color, strong branches and pleasant scent has led to Fraser Fir being one of the most popular Christmas tree species. Firs are evergreen coniferous trees that belongs to the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae. The average lifespan of Abies balsamea is about 150 to 200 years. Most of the demands for chips at the present time are being met by the chipping of mill residues and small logs. Full sunlight and plenty of water are Needles are flattened and dark-green. Fraser fir trees are widely used as Christmas trees. Douglas firs are not true firs, being of the genus Pseudotsuga. Leaves (needles) are flattened, dark-green with a medial groove on the upper side and two broad silvery-white bands on the lower surface. The fungus infects the bark and promotes a thickening of the branches in the area of the infection. Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Resin blisters can be seen on the otherwise smooth bark of the tree. Unlike the paired needles of spruce and bunched, cluster-like needles of pine trees, fir needles attach singly to the twigs with the arrangement resembling a small suction cup. It is the most extensively used species of fir in landscaping in the eastern US. Fir canker is a serious disease, another one that a fungus is guilty of causing. Douglas Fir Trees, Facts & Information on the Douglas Fir Tree. The plant is found growing in mountain slopes, glaciated uplands as well as on alluvial flats, peat lands, swamps, forests and wetland margins. Pulp is generally is used for Kraft paper. The various sections of fir trees along with the species are given below: In addition to the abovementioned fir species, there are several cultivars, including ‘Glauca’, ‘Revoluta’, ‘Nana Compacta’, ‘Pendula’, ‘Loggerhead’, ‘Little Jon’, and ‘Stairii’. Lifespan: 500 years. Interesting Facts. Its needles are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism. Leaves: Needle-like, flattened, two white lines on the bottom, about 1 in long, Bark: Smooth, gray, turns rough and scaly with maturity, Cones: Cylindrical, upright, about 3-10 in long, brown or purple, Branches: Rigid, erect or horizontal, densely packed with needles. Pines produce resin that flows from the injured bark. Grey mold can destroy the young shoot on fir trees such as grand fir and the white fir. How to Grow Grape Vines in Illinois Growing Grapes. It exhibits a relatively dense, dark-green, pyramidal crown with a slender spire-like tip. Cylindrical cones are 5–25 centimeters (2–10 inches) long. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs … The slender growth habit makes it appealing to buyers looking for a tree for small rooms. Douglas fir, which has sometimes been called the Douglas tree, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce, is not actually a true fir, a pine, or a spruce. Subalpine firs grow up to 66 ft. (20 m) and are also popular in ornamental landscaped gardens. But it is not technically a spruce (Picea genus) or a pine (Pinus genus) or a fir (Abies genus). The mighty Douglas fir is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing in coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California. T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org. Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known. They are flat and usually have rounded tips. It is a symbol of honesty, truth and forthrightness because of the way it grows on the “straight and narrow.” The trunk of the fir reminds us of a tall straight pillar of strength, a symbolic tower of truth. Interesting Facts. Each needle grows singly from the branch. The fir tree cones are softer than other coniferous trees and come apart at the end of the season to spread their seeds. facilitates spreading of the forest fire. Facts and stats. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. How to Grow Sea Buckthorn Trees. Balsam Fir Abies balsamea (L.) Miller Description: First described in 1768, balsam fir is a medium-sized tree generally reaching 40-60 feet in height and 1-1 1/2 feet in diameter. They are evergreen trees (they keep their needle-like leaves all year). The species' fragrance, shape, strong limbs, and ability to retain its soft needles for a long time when cut (which do not prick easily when hanging ornaments) make it one of the best trees for this purpose. The Grand Fir. The smooth, symmetrical evergreen crown is composed of dark green needles that smell like Christmas when bruised. Fertilize white fir trees in early spring or late fall, using a high-nitrogen fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-5 or 12-6-4, or a fertilizer formulated for evergreens. This evergreen plant has small to medium sizes and deluges in northern region forests of the Adirondacks. They are large trees, reaching heights from 10 to 80 meters (33 to 262 feet) tall and trunk diameters from 0.5 to 4 meters (1 ft 8 in to 13 ft 1 in) when mature. Parts of the Himalayan fir can be used for producing incense. In aromatherapy uses, as an essential oil, Fir is beneficial for coughs, colds, flu, arthritis, muscle aches Abies procera, the noble fir, also called red fir and Christmas tree, is a western North American fir, native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States.It is a high-altitude tree, typically occurring at 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft) altitude, only rarely reaching the tree line Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. They are large trees, reaching heights from 10 to 80 meters (33 to 262 feet) tall and trunk diameters from 0.5 to 4 meters (1 ft 8 in to 13 ft 1 in) when mature. A fungal malady, grey mold wilts these shoots and dries them up. Articles. Updated: February 2, 2017. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Douglas fir is not a true fir tree but it’s a type of pine tree . In the wild this tree can live 100 years and longer but outside of its normal range one could expect 40 or more years to be an old tree. Identification of the different species is based on the size and arrangement of the needle-like leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone. The genus name, Pseudotsuga means “false hemlock,” yet another tree that it is similar to. The spreading branches, drooping at the ends, bear flattened, lance-shaped leaves about 6 … This makes firs different from pines, which have needles that grow in bundles. Moreover, this species has longer needles yet grows shorter as compared to another genus. It was dismantled in 2017 when folks realized it looked more like a rocket than a fir tree. Wood Products: This tree’s lumber is excellent for construction. Fraser fir is a uniformly pyramid-shaped tree which reaches a maximum height of about 80 feet and a diameter of 1-1.5 feet. The genus Abies includes 48-56 species of true firs that are classified into nine extant sections and one extinct section. Bur oak has several desirable attributes including strong branches, drought tolerance, winter hardiness, and freedom from serious insects or diseases. A member of the pine family, white fir does well in cool, humid environments in Midwestern, East Coast, and Pacific coastal gardens. Firs are long-lived, on average achieving reproductive maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years. Several fir species, including the balsam fir, are used as ornamental trees. Doulas-Fir Tree Descriptive Facts. Centimeters ( 2–10 inches ) long are uninodal, producing one whorl of branches each,. 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