Noble Fir — Identification, Uses and Properties
Abies procera Pinaceae
Commonly grouped and sold as HEM-FIR (hemlock-fir mix).
Historically used for aircraft frames and ladders due to high stiffness-to-weight ratio.
SOFTWOOD NORTH AMERICA CONSTRUCTION LUMBER
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Abies procera
Family
Pinaceae
Wood type
Softwood
Local Names
Noble fir (USA), Red fir (USA), Oregon Larch (USA), Bracted fir (USA)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Construction lumber · Plywood · Pulp for paper · Framing · Sheathing · Subflooring · Decking · Beams · Siding · Paneling · Millwork · Ladders
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Nearly white to reddish brown.
Texture
Medium to coarse texture.
Grain
Straight.
Sapwood
Indistinguishable from heartwood; generally pale white to straw.
Interlocked Grain
Absent.
Notes
Light-colored softwood, nearly white to reddish brown, no heartwood/sapwood distinction. It is usually straight grained and fairly lightweight. Can be confused with other true firs and is often sold as 'HEM-FIR'. Resin canals are generally absent; tracheid diameter is medium to large; earlywood-to-latewood transition is gradual.
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 180 ft
Tree height
30 – 55 m
Diameter
100-200 cm
Buoyancy
High (floats)
Log Conservation
Susceptible to wetwood (bacterial infection); rapid processing or proper storage required to prevent fungal stain.
Diameter
39.4-78.7 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
415 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
25.9 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
410
Janka Hardness
410 lbf
Janka Hardness
1,824 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
12.4 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
8.3 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.3 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.9
Crushing Strength
39.5 MPa
Crushing Strength
5,729 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
74.4 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
10,791 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
11,170 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,620,072 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Non-durable to perishable.Dry Wood Borers
Minimal resistance.Termites
Non-resistant.Treatability
Difficult to penetrate with preservatives.Use Class
Class 5 (Non-durable).Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Dries easily.
Risk Distortion
Low; dimensionally stable when dried.
Suggested Schedule
T10-F4 (4/4 stock)
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Low.
Machining Tools
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools.
Suitability Peeling
Excellent (used for plywood).
Notes
The wood planes and finishes well with sharp tools.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Moderate to moderately low in nail withdrawal resistance.
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Trade Notes
This species is not listed in the CITES Appendices.
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Completeness: 8.2 / 10