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Boring Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Veneering Qualities		Scientific Name Abies procera Trade Name Noble fir Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Fir, Noble fir, Oregon larch, Red fir, Western fir, White fir Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] United States Common Uses Beams, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Cabin construction, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Lumber, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Packing cases, Plywood, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Rough boards/dimension stock, Rough construction, Structural plywood, Utility plywood Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Rare Widespread May be rare in some parts of its range Globally secure Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview Noble fir is native (in the U.S.) to the Cascade Mountains and high peaks of the Coast Range (3,000 to 5,000 feet) from western Washington through western Oregon to northwest California. It is usually found growing with other conifers in high mountain regions where short, cool growing seasons are common. It prefers moist soils and deep winter snows. Heartwood Color Brown Yellow White Red Purple Orange Pale brown Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Brown Whitish White to cream Same as sapwood Reddish brown Light buff to yellowish brown The latewood area of the growth rings may have a reddish brown, lavender or roseate tinge Sapwood Color Red Brown Yellow White Paler than heartwood Color not distinct from heartwood Grain Even Straight Figure Growth rings (figure) Stripe (figure) Straight Striped figure Even Clear growth rings (figure) Texture Coarse Fine Medium Fair to medium coarse Luster High Pronounced Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Non durable Very low natural resistance to attack by decay fungi and wood destroying organisms Very little natural resistance Odor Has an odor No specific smell or taste May have a slightly disagreeable smell when green Kiln Schedules UK=L US=T14C6S/T12C5S - 12 - A5 (4/4); T10 - A3 (8/4) US Drying Defects Splitting Distortion Warping can be expected Expect splits Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Easy Tree Size Tree height is greater than 70 m Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm Tree height is 60-70 m Tree height is 50-60 m Tree height is 30-40 m Tree height is 40-50 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm Trunk diameter is 350-400 cm Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results) Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to glue Excellent gluing properties Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Mortises well Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good moulding properties Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Holds nails well Good resistance to splitting while nailing Easy to nail Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Difficult to treat with preservatives Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Easy to machine Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Good screw holding properties Excellent screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Good results Veneering Qualities Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Veneers easily Suitable for peeling There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Painting Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Polishing Fair to Good Results Satisfactory results Staining Fair to Good Results Finish is generally satisfactory Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Work to Maximum Load = very low Weight = light Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Surfaces may dent easily Soft Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Crushing strength = medium Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 6626 10877 psi Crushing Strength 265 510 psi Density 25 lbs/ft3 Hardness 367 lbs Impact Strength 19 22 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2823 5364 psi Shearing Strength 975 psi Stiffness 1252 1518 1000 psi Toughness 216 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 8 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.3 0.27 Weight 25 25 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % Volumetric Shrinkage 12 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 465 764 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 18 35 kg/cm2 Density 400 kg/m3 Hardness 166 kg Impact Strength 48 55 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 198 377 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 68 kg/cm2 Stiffness 88 106 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 248 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.56 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.3 0.27 Weight 400 400 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 4 % Tangential Shrinkage 8 % References Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed. I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Little E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York. Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.71 Silver Fir,TRADA Timber Leaflet U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook:Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin. USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.