MOUNT RAINIER The Forests of Mount Rainier National Park

LOWLAND WHITE FIR (ABIES GRANDIS)¹

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¹This species is known as silver fir in Yellowstone and Glacier Parks.

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The lowland white fir (fig. 14), like several other species, is generally given the name of white fir on account of its smooth, light-colored bark. It is a common tree in the river bottoms from British Columbia south to northern California. In the Mount Rainier National Park it occurs up to 4,000 feet. The lowland white fir is a moisture-loving tree and is usually found firmly rooted in deep alluvial bottom lands along the banks of streams. With the Douglas fir, hemlock, and red cedar it forms the dense forest characteristic of the lower mountain valleys.

Fig. 14.—Lowland white fir (Abies grandis).

In favorable conditions the lowland white fir grows to a height of from 100 to 200 feet and is a noble and stately tree. The trunk tapers rapidly and bears a round pyramidal crown. In dense forests the trunk is clear for half its height, but where the trees stand in the open it carries its branches nearly to the ground. The leaves are a bright and shining green. The large light-green cones mature early in the fall. The wood is soft and very heavy before it is seasoned. It rots in a very short time when laid on the ground. When dry it is white, coarse-grained, light and odorous. It is used for interior finish and for crates and packing boxes, but is of little value commercially.