PNW Native
Ranges along Washington and Oregon subalpine forests. (1) Trees grow up to 80 m (200 ft) tall with a symmetrical, conical growth habit. Young bark is smooth but acquires cracks and plates with age. Needles are sprucelike, with 4 sides, basal sides are light and sliver and lined with stomata, apical sides are blue-green. Needles point upwards on the branch, exposing the lower surface of the needles. Pollen cones are small and reddish, seed cones are large and 10-15 cm long (3-7 in) with scales and bracts. Noble fir grows in middle to upper elevations in mountainous coniferous forests. (2)
Noble firs are the largest of the true firs. The largest noble ever recorded was 325 ft tall and destroyed by the 1980 Mt. St. Helens eruption. They thrive in middle elevations in the Central Cascades and are one of the first species of tree to colonize subalpine and lower-elevation montane forests after a fire. In the first two decades of their life, these trees are slow-growing. After, their growth rate skyrockets to one of the fastest in the region and outcompete Douglas-fir in size and height. (3) In deep, rich soils in the middle elevations of the Cascades, vast parklike stands of noble fir form. These forests have the greatest measured biomass outside of California. (2)
Noble firs were highly valued and praised by the botanist David Douglas and his expedition. During WWII, the RAF Mosquito combat airplane was constructed with a noble fir frame. (2)
Noble fir is a comparatively strong-yet-lightweight wood. It is used for various carpentry and cabinetry purposes including moldings, door stock, venetian blinds, veneer, molding, airplane parts, and ladder rails. © The fragrant odor and elegant conical growth habit of noble fir makes it a choice species for PNW Christmas tree farms, (3) and the wood is sold as home-building timber to Japan. (1) Noble fir is often sold under the name “Oregon larch” to distinguish it from other firs with notoriously poorer wood quality.
Noble fir helps protect watersheds.(1)
