Fir (Abies) is a genus of 48–55 species of evergreen coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae. It is found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. Firs are most closely related to the genus Cedrus (cedar); Douglas-firs are not true firs, being of the genus Pseudotsuga.
All native species reach heights of 10–80 m (30–260 ft) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5–4 m (2–12 ft) when mature. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their needle-like leaves, attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical cones 5–25 cm (2–10 in) long that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged seeds. Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone.
Read more about Fir: Classification, Uses and Ecology
Other articles related to "fir, firs":
... Arceuthobium abietinum is a species of dwarf mistletoe known as fir dwarf mistletoe ... Mexico, where it lives in coniferous forests as a parasite on various species of fir, particularly white fir, giant fir, and red fir ...
... Fir, a young swordswoman traveling around Elibe to hone her skills in swordplay, is the daughter of Bartre and Karla and the niece of Karel ... Fir wishes to become a great swordswoman in order to follow in the footsteps of her beloved mother, who died of an illness at some point during Fir's youth ... The leader of the pirates sent out Fir with Sin against Roy's forces because he said that when she died, someone was to grab her sword and run ...
... softwoods, in the wood industry, Spruce-pine-fir refers to Canadian woods of similar characteristics that have been grouped for production and marketing ... timber from the Red Spruce, Black Spruce, Jack Pine, and Balsam Fir species ... timber from the White Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, and Alpine fir species ...
... amongst conifers in northwestern America and affects mostly fir trees and cedars ... Douglas fir, Mountain hemlock, Western hemlock, Grand fir, and Pacific silver fir are highly susceptible to infection with P ...
... The wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of plywood and rough timber ... to by several different names, including North American timber, SPF (spruce, pine, fir) and whitewood ... Nordmann Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir and Balsam Fir are popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be the best for this purpose, with aromatic foliage ...
Famous quotes containing the word fir:
“I remember, I remember
The fir trees dark and high;
I used to think their slender tops
Were close against the sky;
It was a childish ignorance,
But now ‘tis little joy
To know I’m further off from Heaven
Than when I was a boy.”
—Thomas Hood (1799–1845)
“Below me trees unnumbered rise,
Beautiful in various dyes:
The gloomy pine, the poplar blue,
The yellow beech, the sable yew,
The slender fir that taper grows,
The sturdy oak with broad-spread boughs.”
—John Dyer (1699–1758)
“We had hardly got out of the streets of Bangor before I began to be exhilarated by the sight of the wild fir and spruce tops, and those of other primitive evergreens, peering through the mist in the horizon. It was like the sight and odor of cake to a schoolboy.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)