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. 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.). Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Large trees generally require no fertilizer, but you can always dig a bit of well-rotted manure or compost into soil. 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. 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. The spreading branches, drooping at the ends, bear flattened, lance-shaped leaves about 6 … They are evergreen trees (they keep their needle-like leaves all year). Bur oak has several desirable attributes including strong branches, drought tolerance, winter hardiness, and freedom from serious insects or diseases. The slender growth habit makes it appealing to buyers looking for a tree for small rooms. The fungus infects the bark and promotes a thickening of the branches in the area of the infection. In aromatherapy uses, as an essential oil, Fir is beneficial for coughs, colds, flu, arthritis, muscle aches 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. Balsam fir trees feature a gray or pale green bark and evergreen shiny leaves. The genus Abies includes 48-56 species of true firs that are classified into nine extant sections and one extinct section. 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. 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. 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. Full sunlight and plenty of water are The needles are the most important part of this plant, as that is where the active ingredients and powerful chemical compounds are located. Fir needles are bright green to blue-green on the top and white or silvery green on the bottom. White fir tree is a classic American beauty native to the Rocky Mountains. Height: The Douglas fir can grow to be very tall indeed, and can grow up to 60 metres in Britain. Douglas-fir is the English name applied in common to evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga in the family Pinaceae. manufacture of plywood and rough timber. How to Propagate a Cyclamen Plant Growing Flowers. Interesting Facts. The fir tree cones are softer than other coniferous trees and come apart at the end of the season to spread their seeds. These large trees, although closely related to cedars, can be distinguished from other conifers by their soft cones that perch upright like candles. Firs are uninodal, producing one whorl of branches each year, from buds at the tip of the year’s new shoot. It was dismantled in 2017 when folks realized it looked more like a rocket than a fir tree. Fir is any of the species of conifers belonging to the genus Abies included in the Pinaceae (or pine) family. Seeds: The oval shaped cones hang downwards with a three point bract - a special type of leaf - on every scale. It’s properties include being an antiseptic, antitussive, Deodorant, disinfectant and expectorant. Firs are long-lived, on average achieving reproductive maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. Full sunlight and plenty of water are also necessary for fir tree growth. Subalpine firs grow up to 66 ft. (20 m) and are also popular in ornamental landscaped gardens. 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. Facts and stats. 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. Tree Facts for Kids. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. I think that pine trees are one of the most interesting types of trees. Being a member of the pine family and having flat needle-like leaves are some common balsam fir tree facts. They are flat and usually have rounded tips. 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. The leaves are like needles. This evergreen plant has small to medium sizes and deluges in northern region forests of the Adirondacks. Like other evergreens, fir trees are associated with protection and spirituality in many Native American tribes. Its needles are used for producing essential oil that helps in treating rheumatism. The mighty Douglas fir is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing in coastal forests from British Columbia to northern California. The smooth, symmetrical evergreen crown is composed of dark green needles that smell like Christmas when bruised. Check out our fun tree facts for kids. The Douglas Fir also goes by names such as red fir, Oregon pine, and Douglas spruce. As the tree ages, more blisters develop and ooze balsam, an oily resin. Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known. How to Fertilize Cannas Growing … Pines produce resin that flows from the injured bark. The Grand Fir. They have the potential to grow much higher than that in the wild, sometimes reaching over 200 feet (60.9 meters) tall. By: John Lindell 21 September, 2017. snow covered trees image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com. This makes firs different from pines, which have needles that grow in bundles. Cylindrical cones are 5–25 centimeters (2–10 inches) long. Wood Products: This tree’s lumber is excellent for construction. There are about 56 species of fir in the world. Old fir trees have thick, ridged bark, and younger firs … A member of the pine family, white fir does well in cool, humid environments in Midwestern, East Coast, and Pacific coastal gardens. The hanging oblong The Grand Fir is easy to distinguish from other fir trees in that their needles have exceptional uniformity and the branch patterns are consistent. Douglas firs are not true firs, being of the genus Pseudotsuga. Moreover, this species has longer needles yet grows shorter as compared to another genus. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. Douglas fir trees have long, flat, spirally arranged needles that grow directly from the branch and completely surround it. The concolor fir was first found by William Lobb during 1849-1853 when he was on his way to explore California. Several fir species, including the balsam fir, are used as ornamental trees. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Douglas Fir Trees, Facts & Information on the Douglas Fir Tree. Wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the 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. The tops of the leaves are dark green and shiny but the underside is a silver-blue color that inspires the nickname of … Firs grow best in areas of high elevation in well-drained, moist soil. Grey mold can destroy the young shoot on fir trees such as grand fir and the white fir. 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. Like so many popular essential oils, fir needle essential is extracted through a process of steam distillation from fir needles. Since the Fraser fir is similar to the balsam fir in appearance, it is referred to as ‘she-balsam’. The genus name, Pseudotsuga means “false hemlock,” yet another tree that it is similar to. 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. How to Root Loropetalum Cuttings Shrubs. Articles. 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 I always enjoy examining them and learning more about them. also necessary for fir tree growth. Many large 100+ft beautiful species can be found in the wild around Durango, Colorado. 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. Balsam Fir Tree Facts. Pulp is generally is used for Kraft paper. 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. Leaves: It has soft needles with two grey bands underneath. Read on and have fun learning a range of interesting information about trees. Fir branches are used for purifying and warding off ghosts in some Salish and other Northwest Indian rituals. © 2021 (Coniferous Forest). deciduous tree widely distributed across the United States. 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. Deer will eat this species when other preferred browse is unavailable. Fraser fir trees are widely used as Christmas trees. Doulas-Fir Tree Descriptive Facts. The grand fir is considered one of the tallest and fastest-growing fir species. Fraser Fir is a uniformly, pyramid-shaped tree. Parts of the Himalayan fir can be used for producing incense. The concolor firs have a shallow and widespread root system, which makes them vulnerable to “windthrow”. 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. 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. Cones hang from the branches and can approach 5 inches long. 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’. Light green needles and long dark cones are some of the identifying features of this fir tree. Fir trees can be anywhere from 17 feet (5 meters) to 200 feet (60 meters) tall when fully grown. Firs are monoecious (both sexes) and produces female cones high in the crown, and clusters of male cones in a zone below. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Douglas fir is not a true fir tree but it’s a type of pine tree . There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia. facilitates spreading of the forest fire. 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. On good sites, bur oak has a spreading habit with a broad crown; massive bole; and low, large branches. Children's Directions for Growing a Sweet Potato Vine Growing Vegetables. 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. The plant can grow on a wide range … The plant is found growing in mountain slopes, glaciated uplands as well as on alluvial flats, peat lands, swamps, forests and wetland margins. For example, if the tree was 50 years old it would have 50 branch whorls. When cultivated, they can reach heights of 60 feet (18.2 meters) tall and up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) wide. Each yellow- or blue-green needle is borne singly and has a short stalk at the base and a grooved upper surface. Thank you for sharing all the facts. 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. Save For Later Print. How to Rope Off a Tree Limb to Keep it From Falling Trees. Winter buds are brown, shiny, and pointed. Strong branches are turned slightly upward which gives the tree a compact appearance. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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 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 . Shaped cones hang downwards with a three point bract - a special type of leaf - on scale! 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