Difference between revisions of "Fir" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:Abies_Orjen_foliage.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies alba'' foliage from Dinaric calcareous fir forests on Mt. Orjen]] | [[Image:Abies_Orjen_foliage.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies alba'' foliage from Dinaric calcareous fir forests on Mt. Orjen]] | ||
| − | ''' | + | '''Fir''' is the common name for any of the [[tree#Evergreen versus deciduous|evergreen]] [[tree]]s comprising the genus ''Abies'' of the family [[Pinaceae]], characterized by erect, cylindrical cones that shed their scales and by flattened, stemless, needle-like leaves growing directly from the branches. Fir also refers to the wood of these trees. |
| − | + | Some other similar trees that are not in the genus ''Abies'', and thus not true firs, also have the common name of fir, such as the Douglas fir (''Pseudotsuga menziesii''). | |
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| + | ==Description== | ||
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| + | True firs comprise the genus ''Abies'', which includes between 45 and 55 diverse species of [[evergreen]] [[conifer]]s in the family [[Pinaceae]]. All are [[tree]]s, reaching heights of 10-80 meters (30-260 feet) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5-4 meters (2-12 feet) when mature. | ||
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| + | Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family, Pinaceae, by their flat, needle-like [[leaf|leaves]], which are attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical [[Conifer cone|cones]], 5-25 centimeters (2-10 inches) long, that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged [[seed]]s, rather than dropping entire. The leaves usually leave a scar when they fall. | ||
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| + | Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Firs are most closely related to the [[cedar]]s (''Cedrus''). Firs are found through much of North and Central America, [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and North [[Africa]], occurring in [[mountain]]s over most of the range. | ||
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==Classification== | ==Classification== | ||
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==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
The [[wood]] of most firs is considered unsuitable for general [[timber]] use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of [[plywood]] and rough timber. [[Nordmann Fir]], [[Noble Fir]], [[Fraser Fir]] and [[Balsam Fir]] are very popular [[Christmas tree]]s, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably [[Korean Fir]] and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall. | The [[wood]] of most firs is considered unsuitable for general [[timber]] use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of [[plywood]] and rough timber. [[Nordmann Fir]], [[Noble Fir]], [[Fraser Fir]] and [[Balsam Fir]] are very popular [[Christmas tree]]s, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably [[Korean Fir]] and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall. | ||
| + | |||
| + | christmas trees | ||
| + | valued for beauty and gragrance | ||
| + | lumber | ||
| + | pulpwoood | ||
| + | balsam fir (A. balsamer — ornamental tree, christmas tree, source of Canada balsam | ||
| + | |||
| + | Firs are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes abella]]'' (recorded on [[White Fir]]), [[Autumnal Moth]], [[Korscheltellus|Conifer Swift]] (a pest of [[Balsam Fir]]), [[Engrailed|The Engrailed]], [[Grey Pug]], [[Mottled Umber]] and [[Pine Beauty]]. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 00:32, 17 September 2007
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.JPG) Korean Fir (Abies koreana) cone and foliage
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Fir is the common name for any of the evergreen trees comprising the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae, characterized by erect, cylindrical cones that shed their scales and by flattened, stemless, needle-like leaves growing directly from the branches. Fir also refers to the wood of these trees.
Some other similar trees that are not in the genus Abies, and thus not true firs, also have the common name of fir, such as the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).
Description
True firs comprise the genus Abies, which includes between 45 and 55 diverse species of evergreen conifers in the family Pinaceae. All are trees, reaching heights of 10-80 meters (30-260 feet) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5-4 meters (2-12 feet) when mature.
Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family, Pinaceae, by their flat, needle-like leaves, which are attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical cones, 5-25 centimeters (2-10 inches) long, that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged seeds, rather than dropping entire. The leaves usually leave a scar when they fall.
Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the 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.
Firs are most closely related to the cedars (Cedrus). Firs are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range.
Classification
- Section Balsamea (Taiga|boreal Asia and North America, and high mountains further south)
- Abies fraseri - Fraser Fir
- Abies balsamea - Balsam Fir
- Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis - Bracted Balsam Fir
- Abies bifolia - Rocky Mountains Subalpine Fir
- Abies lasiocarpa - Coast Range Subalpine Fir
- Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica - Corkbark Fir
- Abies sibirica - Siberian Fir
- Abies sachalinensis - Sakhalin Fir
- Abies koreana - Korean Fir
- Abies nephrolepis - Khinghan Fir
- Abies veitchii - Veitch's Fir
- Abies veitchii var. sikokiana - Shikoku Fir
- Section Grandis (western North America to Mexico and Guatemala, lowlands in north, moderate altitudes in south)
- Abies grandis - Grand Fir or Giant Fir
- Abies grandis var. idahoensis - Interior Grand Fir or Giant Fir
- Abies concolor - White Fir
- Abies concolor subsp. lowiana - Low's White Fir
- Abies durangensis - Durango Fir
- Abies durangensis var. coahuilensis - Coahuila Fir
- Abies flinckii - Jalisco Fir
- Abies guatemalensis - Guatemalan Fir
- Abies grandis - Grand Fir or Giant Fir
- Section Abies (central, south & east Europe, Asia Minor)
- Abies nebrodensis - Sicilian Fir
- Abies alba - Silver Fir
- Abies borisii-regis - Bulgarian Fir
- Abies cephalonica - Greek Fir
- Abies nordmanniana - Nordmann Fir or Caucasian Fir
- Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani - Turkish Fir
- Abies cilicica - Cilician Fir
- Section Piceaster (southern Spain, northwest Africa)
- Abies pinsapo - Spanish Fir
- Abies pinsapo var. marocana - Moroccan Fir
- Abies numidica - Algerian Fir
- Abies pinsapo - Spanish Fir
- Section Momi (east & central Asia, Himalaya, generally at low to moderate altitudes)
- Abies kawakamii - Taiwan Fir
- Abies homolepis - Nikko Fir
- Abies recurvata - Min Fir
- Abies recurvata var. ernestii - Min Fir
- Abies firma - Momi Fir
- Abies beshanzuensis - Baishanzu Fir
- Abies holophylla - Manchurian Fir
- Abies chensiensis - Shensi Fir
- Abies chensiensis subsp. salouenensis - Salween Fir
- Abies pindrow - Pindrow Fir
- Abies ziyuanensis - Ziyuan Fir
- Section Amabilis (Pacific coast mountains, North America and Japan, in high rainfall mountains)
- Abies amabilis - Pacific Silver Fir
- Abies mariesii - Maries' Fir
- Section Pseudopicea (Sino-Himalayan mountains, at high altitude)
- Abies delavayi - Delavay's Fir
- Abies fabri - Faber's Fir
- Abies forrestii - Forrest's Fir
- Abies chengii - Cheng's Fir
- Abies densa - Bhutan Fir
- Abies spectabilis - East Himalayan Fir
- Abies fargesii - Farges' Fir
- Abies fanjingshanensis - Fanjingshan Fir
- Abies yuanbaoshanensis - Yuanbaoshan Fir
- Abies squamata - Flaky Fir
- Section Oiamel (Mexico, high altitudes in mountains)
- Abies religiosa - Sacred Fir
- Abies vejarii - Vejar's Fir
- Abies vejarii var. mexicana - Mexican Fir
- Abies hickelii - Hickel's Fir
- Abies hickelii var. oaxacana - Oaxaca Fir
- Section Nobilis (western USA, high altitudes)
- Abies procera - Noble Fir
- Abies magnifica - Red Fir
- Abies magnifica var. shastensis - Shasta Red Fir
- Section Bracteata (California coast)
- Abies bracteata - Bristlecone Fir
Uses
The wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of plywood and rough timber. Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir are very popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably Korean Fir and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall.
christmas trees valued for beauty and gragrance lumber pulpwoood balsam fir (A. balsamer — ornamental tree, christmas tree, source of Canada balsam
Firs are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes abella (recorded on White Fir), Autumnal Moth, Conifer Swift (a pest of Balsam Fir), The Engrailed, Grey Pug, Mottled Umber and Pine Beauty.
External links
- Gymnosperm Database - Abies
- Arboretum de Villardebelle cone photos: Images of cones of selected species
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