Abies amabilis
| Abies amabilis | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 98' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
Abies amabilis (common name: red fir)
Propagation: Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[1]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[1]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[2][3]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[1] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[2].
Cultivation: Requires a good moist but not water-logged soil in a sheltered position[4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant[5][6] but growth is slower in dense shade[6]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[4]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[7]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[7]. Trees are somewhat shallow rooted and are therefore susceptible to strong winds[8].
Grows best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland[5]. It does very well on glacial moraines in Scotland[6]. When grown in an open position, the tree clothes itself to the ground with gracefully drooping branches, though on the whole, this species does not grow well in Britain[5]. Trees have been of variable growth in this country and seem to be short-lived[9]. The best and fastest growing specimens are to be found in the north and far west of the country[9]. Growth in girth can be very quick, 1.8 metres in 35 years has been recorded[9].
Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[7].
The crushed leaves have an odour like orange peel[5].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[7]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[7].
This species is often confused with A. nordmanniana[5].
A very ornamental plant[4]. Trees are sometimes grown as 'Christmas trees'[7].
Plants are susceptible to injury by aphis[5].
Range: North-western N. America - Alaska to Oregon.
Habitat: High mountain slopes and benches, going down to sea-level in the north of its range[10]. The best specimens grow in deep moist soils and cool wet air conditions such as fog belts[8].
Edibility: Young shoot tips are used as a substitute for tea[11][12].
The pitch obtained from the bark can be hardened (probably by immersing it in cold water[K]) and used as a chewing gum[13].
Inner bark[13]. No further information is given, but inner bark can be dried, ground into a powder and then used with grain flours etc to make bread and other preparations[13].
Medicinal: This plant was used quite widely by native North American Indians. An infusion of the bark was used as a tonic and to treat stomach ailments, TB, haemorrhoids and various minor complaints[13]. The pitch, or resin, was also used to treat colds, sore throats etc[13].
The bark of this tree contains blisters that are filled with a resin called 'Canadian Balsam'[14]. Although the report does not mention the uses of this resin, it can almost certainly be used in the same ways as the resin of A. balsamea, as detailed below:-
The resin obtained from this tree (see 'Uses notes' below) has been used throughout the world and is a very effective antiseptic and healing agent. It is used as a healing and analgesic protective covering for burns, bruises, wounds and sores[15][16][14]. It is also used to treat sore nipples[15] and is said to be one of the best curatives for a sore throat[17].
The resin is also antiscorbutic, diuretic, stimulant and tonic[18][19][16]. It is used internally in propriety mixtures to treat coughs and diarrhoea, though taken in excess it is purgative[20].
A warm liquid of the gummy sap was drunk as a treatment for gonorrhoea[21].
A tea made from the leaves is antiscorbutic[18][19]. It is used in the treatment of coughs, colds and fevers[16]. The leaves and young shoots are best harvested in the spring and dried for later use[20].
Usage: The boughs are fragrant and can be hung in the home as an air freshener[13].
Wood - hard, light, not strong, close grained, not very durable. It is used for framing small buildings but is not strong enough for larger buildings. It is also used for crates, pulp etc[22][23][10][14][8].
This tree yields the resin 'Canadian Balsam'[14]. The report does not mention the uses of this balsam, but the following are the ways that it is used when obtained from A. balsamea:-
The balsamic resin 'Balm of Gilead'[5][22] or 'Canada Balsam' according to other reports[24][14][20] is obtained during July and August from blisters in the bark or by cutting pockets in the wood[16]. Another report says that it is a turpentine[19]. It is used medicinally and in dentistry, also in the manufacture of glues, candles and as a cement for microscopes and slides - it has a high refractive index resembling that of glass[5][22][24][10][16][14][20]. The average yield is about 8 - 10 oz per tree[19]. The resin is also a fixative in soaps and perfumery[19][20].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Wind: Not wind tolerant
Pollution: Does not tolerate environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Lauriault, Jean. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada. Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1989.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Howes, Frank. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Chronica Botanica, 1949.