Abies Procera (Noble fir)

Scientific Name
Abies procera

Trade Name
Noble fir

Family Name
Pinaceae

Common Names
Fir, Noble fir, Oregon larch, Red fir, Western fir, White fir

Regions of Distribution
North America

Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP]
United States

Common Uses
Beams, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Cabin construction, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Lumber, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Packing cases, Plywood, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Rough boards/dimension stock, Rough construction, Structural plywood, Utility plywood

Environmental Profile

Distribution Overview
Noble fir is native (in the U.S.) to the Cascade Mountains and high peaks of the Coast Range (3,000 to 5,000 feet) from western Washington through western Oregon to northwest California. It is usually found growing with other conifers in high mountain regions where short, cool growing seasons are common. It prefers moist soils and deep winter snows.

Heartwood Color

The latewood area of the growth rings may have a reddish brown, lavender or roseate tinge

Sapwood Color

Grain

Texture

Luster

Natural Durability

Very little natural resistance

Odor

Kiln Schedules

Drying Defects

Ease of Drying

Tree Size

Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good

Boring

Gluing

Mortising

Moulding

Nailing

Planing

Resistance to Impregnation

Response to Hand Tools

Screwing

Turning

Veneering Qualities

Painting

Polishing

Staining

Strength Properties

Numerical Data

References
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods – Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: – No.7 North America,TRADA

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series

Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London

Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO

Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, London.

Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)

Little E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees – Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.71 Silver Fir,TRADA Timber Leaflet

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook:Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.