Abies spp. of the family Pinaceae. There are over 5 dozen species in the genus Abies that have the word fir as all or part of one or more of their common names and I have no idea which of them are represented on this page. ALSO, there are more that 130 OTHER species, from dozens of genera, that also have the word fir as all or part of one or more of their common names. It is my intent that the woods on this page be from the genus Abies.
Note: Douglas-fir, referred to on this web site (incorrectly, I realize) as "douglas fir" or "fir, douglas" is Pseudotsuga menziesii with Abies taxifolia as one of its numerous synonyms, and has its own page on this web site as "fir, douglas"
my samples --- colors are accurate throughout
both sides of a sample plank of grand fir / Albies grandis
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
both sides of a sample plank of Fraser fir / Albies fraseri
end grain and end grain closeup of the piece directly above
small fir pieces and end grain --- these are all from the same plank
small fir pieces and end grain --- these are all from the same plank
sample plank and end grain sold to me as Algerian fir / Abies numidica; just based on this very small sample plank, I'd say that this is an unusually light wood. I believe that the black lines are spalting but it is remotely possible that they are water stain.
end grain closeup of the piece directly above
quartersawn veneer with accurately shown reddish color; this looks exactly like a plank I had, after it had been exposed to the air and light for a long time.
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
balsam fir (Abies balsamea, also listed as just "balsam" and balm-of-Gilead fir) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
California white fir (Abies concolor) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
Shasta fir (Abies magnifica, also listed as California red fir and magnificent fir) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
grand fir (Abies grandis, listed as great silver fir) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
noble fir (Abies nobilis, also listed as Oregon larch) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
bristlecone fir (Abies venusta, also listed as Santa Lucia silver fir) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
amabilia fir (Abies amabilis, also listed as red silver fir) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
flat cut, quartersawn, and end grain
Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) from The Wood Book --- both levels of enlargement are available for each of the 3 views
web pics
plank listed as European silver fir / Abies alba and with wet and dry sections
European silver fir / Abies alba, flat cut, quartersawn and 2 shots of end grain
European silver fir / Abies alba flat cut veneer
silver fir veneer
silver fir plank
Spanish fir end grain
planks (no designation other than "fir")
fir section on a laminated bowl. The pic on the left is fresh off the lathe and the one on the right is after one coat of natural stain. The wood behind the fir is bubinga.
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