The Fir Family

balsam-firBalsam Fir

Scientific Name: Abies balsamea
Location: Northeastern North America
Dried Weight: 25lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 40lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,000lbf /in2

Balsam Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

california-red-firCalifornia Red Fir

Scientific Name: Abies magnifica
Location: Primarily Sierra, Nevada mountain range
Dried Weight: 27lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 500lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,410lbf /in2

California Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

douglas-fir1Douglas-Fir

Scientific Name: Pseudotsuga menziesii
Location: Western North America
Dried Weight: 32lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 620lbf
Crushing Strength: 6,950lbf /in2

Douglas Fir is usually a light brown color. The grain is generally straight, though it can be wavy or curly occasionally, and it has a medium to coarse texture. Small to medium resin canals are present. It is rated as moderately durable in regards to decay. The wood has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. It stains, glues, and finishes well.

 

european-silver-firEuropean Silver Fir

Scientific Name: Abies alba
Location: Mountainous Region of Europe.
Dried Weight: 26lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 320lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,950lbf /in2

European Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

grand-firGrand Fir

Scientific Name: Abies grandis
Location: Northwestern USA and Southern BC
Dried Weight: 28lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 490lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,200lbf /in2

Grand Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

noble-firNoble Fir

Scientific Name: Abies procera
Location: Pacific northwest of USA
Dried Weight: 26lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 410lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,730lbf /in2

Noble Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

pacific-silver-firPacific Silver Fir

Scientific Name: Abies amabilis
Location: Pacific Northwest of North America
Dried Weight: 27lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 430lbf
Crushing Strength: 6,060lbf /in2

Pacific Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

subalpine-firSubalpine Fir

Scientific Name: Abies lasiocarpa
Location: Mountainour regions of Eastern North America
Dried Weight: 33lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 350lbf
Crushing Strength: 4,910lbf /in2

Subalpine Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.

 

white-firWhite Fir

Scientific Name: Abies concolor
Location: Mountainous regions of western USA
Dried Weight: 26lbs/ft3
Janka Hardness: 480lbf
Crushing Strength: 5,740lbf /in2

White Fir has a heartwood that is usually white to a reddish brown and will darken with age. The grain is straight and it has a uniform medium texture. The resin canals are absent. The wood is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. It is easy to work with and glues, stains, and finishes well.