British Columbia Outdoor Wilderness Guide |
ALPINE FIR
Abies lasiocarpa
- The
Alpine Fir is also know as Subalpine Fir, White Balsam
Fir
- The
Alpine Fir is often mistaken for balsam (fir) which
is an eastern species
-
'Abies' is from the Latin 'abeo' which means "rising"
referring to the great height these trees can reach
- "Fir"
is from 'fuhr' the old English word for 'fire' denoting
the tree's use as firewood
UNIQUE
FEATURES:
- The
Alpine Fir is does not live long (120 to 140 years);
is susceptible to different fungus
- The
lichens that are found on the lower branches are food
for caribou
LOCATION:
- The
Alpine Fir is found at high elevations but near sea
level on the north coast
- Throughout
most of the interior of the province
- No
true firs exist on the Queen Charlotte Islands
SIZE:
- The
Alpine Fir is usually 20 to 35 metres but can reach
up to 50 metres in height
CONES:
- The
cones of the Alpine Fir is deep purple, lighter colour
as they age, cylindrical
- Grow
upright on branches in upper levels of the tree
- Disintegrate
on the tree to release their seeds
- Pollen
cones: bluish colour
NEEDLES:
- The
needles of the Alpine Fir is appear to be blown upward
on the branches
- Blunt
and notched at the tip
- Blue-green
with white bands on the upper and lower surfaces
BARK:
- Smooth,
grey, blistered
- Becoming
scaly as the tree ages
USES:
- Modern
- lumber, plywood, veneers, boxes, pulp
- Traditional
- wood, bark, boughs: roof shingles, bark baskets,
bedding; seeds - eaten; pitch - coating canoe seams,
rubbing on bow strings, medicine; rotten wood - smudge
fires for tanning hides
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