Fir

Abies alba

Trade Names

Silver Fir, Fir

Similar Woods

Pacific Fir, Balsam Fir, Sibirian Fir, Spruce

Origin

Central and Southern Europe.

Range

Mostly in the European low mountain ranges. Fir prefers deep and very rich soils. It is difficult to tell Fir wood from that oft the Spruce but unlike Spruce Fir produces no pitch pockets.

Uses

Construction lumber, special wood for musical instruments (sound boards), often used together with spruce in furniture production.

Properties

It is yellowish-white to reddish-white in color with a grey tinge. The Fir stands are much endangered by industrial air pollution, needle and bark louse, animal browsing and clear cutting.

Machining

The machining of Fir is easy and clean with all types of tools. Relatively smooth surfaces can be achieved in comparison with spruce. Moreover, machine parts are not contaminated by resin.

Seasoning

The wood can be dried very quickly but this results in strong checking of heart and surfaces. However, there is significantly less risk of warping.

Finishing

Through the lack of pitch pockets and resin residue on the surface, surface treatment presents no special problem. Fir is suitable for most varnishes, stains and clear finishes.

Jointing

Glue, screw and nail joints are easy to produce and hold well.
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