Abies grandis

Common Names

Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir, Great Silver Fir, Western White Fir, Vancouver Fir, Oregon Fir

Summary

Abies grandis, commonly known as Grand Fir, is a large evergreen conifer native to the Pacific Northwest, typically 40–70 m tall with a conical crown, flat needles 3–6 cm long bearing two white stomatal bands beneath, and upright green to reddish cones 6–12 cm long; foliage is fragrant and it is valued as a Christmas tree and for ornamental plantings.

It grows best in moist, well-drained soils with full sun to partial shade and is hardy to USDA zones 4–8. Reproduction is seed-based, with cones maturing and wind-dispersed seeds; germination favors mineral soil and stratification enhances results. Seed production begins around 20 years of age; the species is used for forestry, timber, plywood, and Christmas tree production, and can be affected by adelgids, bark beetles, heart rot, and cankers; propagation commonly occurs from seed or grafting.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

100-250 feet

Spread

20-30 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun and partial shade; young trees prefer shade, and as growth progresses Abies grandis prefers full sun.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil, preferably deep loam or sandy loam (mineral soil), with pH 5.5–7.0.

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil.

Soil pH

No single ideal pH; tolerates acidic to alkaline soils.

Bloom Color

Green

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast-growing, commonly about 0.3–0.9 m per year on favorable sites, coast grand fir may exceed 1.5 m per year when young, interior grand fir up to about 0.6 m per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Abies grandis attracts birds and butterflies.