The Firs 



43 



The cones are 23^ to 4 in. long, IJ^ in. in diameter, and intensely purple in 

 colour. They stand erect on the branch and shed their scales when ripe as do all 

 lirs. 



This is the most important lumber-producing species of its genus in the Rocky 

 mountains, where it is often sold mixed with Engelmann spruce. It is used chiefly 

 for rough building purposes and mine timbers. 



ABIES GRANDIS, Lind. LOWLAND FIR 



Common names: Lowland fir, white fir*, western balsam, silver 



fir*, larch* (British Columbia). 



French name: Sapin grandissime. 



The range of lowland fir is very limited, and in Canada it is found only along 



the coast of British Columbia, about as far north as the northern end of Vancouver 



island. It prefers moist, well-drained situations and is, therefore, chiefly found 



along stream bottoms and on lower slopes. It is seldom found in pure stands but 



L0WLAN17 

 FIR 



/I. qrand/5 



usually mixed with Douglas fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, and black 

 Cottonwood. 



The lowland fir averages 2 to 3 ft. in diameter and 100 to 125 ft. in height. 

 The trunk is tall, straight, and clear, except when growing in the open. The 



