About Abies magnifica A.Murray bis
Scientific Name
Abies magnifica A.Murray bis
Description
Growth Form
Abies magnifica is a large evergreen tree. It typically reaches 40–60 metres (130–200 ft) in height and 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in trunk diameter, and rarely grows up to 76.5 m (251 ft) tall and 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in diameter. It has a narrow conical crown.
Bark Characteristics
Young trees have smooth, grey bark marked with resin blisters; the bark of old trees becomes orange-red, rough and fissured.
Leaf Traits
Its leaves are needle-like, 2–3.5 centimetres (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) long, glaucous blue-green on both upper and lower surfaces with prominent stomatal bands, and end in an acute tip. Leaves are arranged spirally along the shoot, but are slightly twisted into an S-shape to curve upward above the shoot.
Cone Features
Its cones are erect, 9–21 cm (3+1⁄2–8+1⁄4 in) long, yellow-green (occasionally purple), ripening to brown before disintegrating to release winged seeds in fall.
Uses
Commercial Applications
The wood of Abies magnifica is used for general structural construction and paper manufacturing. It is also a popular Christmas tree; a 53-foot red fir from the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest was selected as the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Traditional Use
Paiute peoples used the foliage of Shasta red fir (or possibly noble fir) to treat coughs and colds.
