All About the Grand Fir: Attributes, Pros, and Cons

If you’re looking to grow a majestic conifer, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll be reviewing what makes the Grand Fir (Abies grandis) so monumental, its attributes, its pros, and its cons.

Take a look at the information below, and if you have any questions, send us an email or give us a call at (800) 888-7337 and we’d be happy to help.

Attributes of Grand Fir

Once you take a closer look at all of the attributes that make up the Grand Fir, it’s no wonder that it received the name that it has. For starters, the Fire Effects Information System deems the Grand Fir as the fastest-growing fir of all North American firs. According to them, the Grand Fir “may reach 140 feet (43 m) in 50 years on Coastal Range and interior northern California sites.” Overall, these conifers can grow to be nearly 300 feet with trunk diameters ranging anywhere from 4 to 6 feet.

As explained by the American Conifer Society, “This species is native to southwestern Canada and northwestern USA south to northern California, found at elevations from sea level to 5,900 feet (1,800 m). The plant is tolerant of most soils that are deep and moist.”

They consist of long, 1 to 1 ½ inch dark green needles with two white stomata lines on their undersides according to the National Christmas Tree Association. These cones typically display themselves upright on branches near the top of the tree. Grand Firs also exhibit yellow-green cylindrical cones approximately 2 to 4 inches long. Along with this, they possess thin, gray-brown bark that becomes scaly with age.

Pros and Cons

The attributes of the Grand Fir are just a few things that make this conifer so spectacular. Other pros of this species include:

• Its prominent evergreen fragrance. This makes it highly beloved and sought after for the use of Christmas trees.
• Its quick growth. The National Christmas Tree Association states that “In most areas, it will produce a marketable tree in eight to ten years.”
• Its straight and tall structure. This makes it appealing to use throughout landscaping.
• Its thin bark. This makes it a perfect candidate for the production of plywood and paper.

Unfortunately, there are several cons that the Grand Fir embodies as well. The Idaho Forest Products Commission states that the “Grand Fir is highly susceptible to drought, wildfire, and several damaging insects and diseases.” Its need for consistently moist soil and thinned bark play a huge factor in this. With that, common pests and diseases of the Grand Fir can include bark beetles, a variety of defoliator insects, heart rot, and root rot.

Consider Growing Grand Fir

When it comes to Grand Fir, there are multiple reasons to consider growing it. If adequately taken care of, Grand Fir is not only a highly sought-after Christmas tree option, but it is perfect for landscaping, paper, and plywood, while also being able to quickly grow and replenish your company’s stock.

If you’re interested in Growing Grand Fir this season, we encourage you to check out our eCommerce site or send us an email for more information to learn how Vans Pines’ seedlings can help you grow your business faster.