Location: A juvenile of the species, this tree grows just off the northwest corner of Anderson Hall.

Summary: At the northwest edge of Anderson Hall near a large Beech Tree stands a young Grand Fir, the promise of a magnificent future specimen. An aptly named species, these trees are known to grow to heights of 260’, and to achieve impressive diameters of up to eight feet as well. As with all true firs of the Abies genus native to North America, the dark needles are notched at the tip. These leaves arise from branches which grow in a cross shaped or cruciform pattern. This means that each season, new growth stems out in sets of three, leading to a very uniform splay of twigs. The Grand Fir may be distinguished by the fact that its needles spread out flat from each side of the stem, as if the tree has decided to comb its hair with its part directly down the center of each branch. Cones of this species grow straight up upon the branch and are retained on the tree as they release seeds. Grand Firs are commonly seen today as Christmas trees and are traditionally used by the local Coast Salish peoples as a means of curing respiratory ailments. Various First Nations from the trees’ home range of what is now northern California to central British Columbia discovered that the powdered bark and pitch can be used as a cure for tuberculosis and skin conditions.

Grand Firs create fantastic wildlife habitat. Their fast growth, in some cases up to 140’ tall in just 50 years, allows this species to reestablish forests quickly in areas disturbed by fire, flood, or landslide. Rotting wood of mature Grand Firs create cavities that serves as homes for birds, insects, and mammals. This tree also frequently has a splayed crown at maturity, with multiple leading branches near the apex, thus creating large platforms which are beloved by Bald Eagles and Ospreys as nesting sites.

Historical Background: The grand fir is grown commercially for Christmas trees. The Salish peoples of Vancouver Island, BC use the pitch to create varnishes and the branches and cones in a decoction for respiratory ailments. Some of the biggest specimens can be found on the Olympic Peninsula. These trees were used by early settlers to slow the descent of their wagons on sleep slopes to the western coast by tying ropes to the trunk. Along the Barlow Road, trees ingrained with rope burns can still be seen after 150 years. 

Pacific Northwest Native

Native Range: Southern B.C. to Northern California, rocky mountains of Idaho and Montana

Identifying Features light: All firs generally express several distinctive features, including cruciform growing pattern (new growth appears in sets of 3, one branch of new growth proceeding directly forward from older growth and two others from the same origin growing outwards on opposite sides at a slight angle) and notch tipped needles (not pointed like the Douglas fir which is not a true fir). The grand fir is further distinguished by needles of a dark green growing in two distinct horizontal rows off either side of leaf bearing growth. One way it has been described is a bit odd but easy to remember. Think of a grand old man with his hair combed down on either side of a central part off the side of his head, that is the pattern of needles on the grand fir (and quite the hairstyle)! Cones are erect on the branch, cylindrical, and fall apart while still in the crown. Adult specimens are tall and straight and truly grand.

Identifying Features In Depth:

1. Form: Up to 260” (80m) tall, growing with high apical control, narrow pointed crown with curved and slightly droopy stout branches. Trunk diameter can achieve 3.5” (1m).

2. Leaves: Needles are flat and dark green and grooved on top. The ends are notched and two lines of stomatal bands line the underside. Needles grow horizontally outwards from two sides of the branch.

3. Bark: Bark typical of firs is a greyish brown often displaying small resin blisters which when poked pop and ensure one’s finger is thoroughly sticky. As the bark ages it becomes scaly and narrowly ridged.

4. Reproductive Bodies: Pollen cones yellowish, seed cones are a yellow-green color and are retained on the tree as they mature into a cylindrical shape 2-4’ (5-10cm) tall. In autumn they open and release long winged paired seeds.