Vancouver Fir: Use and characteristics

Vancouver fir

The Vancouver Fir originates from the west coast of North America and was first introduced in Europe in 1831. This tree has characteristics that are very advantageous in forestry, even though it is currently suffering from climate change and attacks by fungi and insects. It is one of the tallest trees in Europe and is easily recognised by the resin warts on its bark and the citrus sent of its needles.

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Why does EcoTree plant Vancouver Fir?

Abies grandistolerates being covered by other species very well in its early years. It can therefore grow in mixed stands in the company of Douglas Fir, European Larch or Sitka Spruce.

However, the Vancouver Fir needs high atmospheric humidity and minimum 700 mm of annual precipitation. It is resistant to cold, but has difficulty with spring frosts, summer drought and wind. This is why some Vancouver Fir plantations have suffered from the recurrent droughts of recent years. Our foresters are therefore vigilant about these points before planting Vancouver Fir in our forest.

Vancouver fir - Overview

Abies grandis is a fir tree native to North America, where it grows naturally in Oregon, Washington State, and British Columbia. In its native region, it can reach heights of 80 metres and live for more than 200 years. In Europe, where it was introduced in the early 19th century, it grows no more than 55 metres, making it one of the tallest trees in Europe.

It is characterised by very rapid growth, increasing by one metre a year from its fifth year, reaching a height of around 40 metres in half a century, with a diameter of 50 centimetres. It has a pyramidal growth habit and can be distinguished from its cousins such as the Nordmann Fir or the Silver fir by the numerous resin pustules that dot its greenish bark, which cracks into square patches with age.

Its needles are flat and straight and do not sting. They have two white stripes on the under surface, their tips are rounded, and they are said to give off a characteristic lemongrass scent, although the smell that emanates when they are crumpled is more like that of citrus fruit such as grapefruit. On the same branch, needles of unequal size follow one another, forming a comb with short and long teeth.

The fruits of the Vancouver Fir are upright cones some 12 cm long, cylindrical, with no apparent bracts, which disarticulate on the tree as they reach maturity.

Vancouver fir - Species requirements

The Vancouver Fir requires deep rooting in cool soil. It does not like very acidic, chalky or hydromorphic soils. Under optimum conditions, it grows very quickly, which explains why foresters have widely adopted it, particularly in the Massif Central in France.

Today, its main enemies are drought and mistletoe, two beetles, the bark beetle and the fir dandelion, and two fungi, armillaria and fomes. Their root systems penetrate the trees, rotting the heartwood.

Vancouver Fir’s wood

The wood of Vancouver Fir has relatively low mechanical strength. It is, therefore, not used in construction but is widely used in the manufacture of plywood, pallets, crates, formwork and paper pulp.

It also makes a beautiful Christmas tree, which is environmentally friendly, elegant, and has a lovely scent for the home.

Vancouver Fir’s symbolism

The Vancouver Fir is deeply rooted in local ecosystems and indigenous cultures and is a symbol of strength and resilience because of the impressive heights it can reach. It is revered for its many practical uses, from building houses and canoes to making clothing and medicines.

The Vancouver Fir also embodies sustainability and longevity, representing nature's ability to renew and thrive despite environmental challenges. As a symbol of the harmony between man and nature, it reminds us of the importance of preserving our forests and living in balance with our natural environment.

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Our goal is to enable anyone to do something that benefits nature and helps us to live in a more harmonious world. So why not become a tree owner in a European forest and help combat climate change?