
Where do firs grow?
The Firs like to grow on mountainous slopes. These trees belong to the species Abies and are woody in nature. It is available in more than 50 species and a lot of cultivars. The Fir trees can be identified based on the needles, cones, and bark. The Fir is a conifer tree that has needles instead of leaves. But so do the Pine and Spruce trees have.
What type of story is the Fir Tree?
The Fir-Tree. "The Fir-Tree" (Danish: Grantræet) is a literary fairy tale by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875).
Where does Douglas fir wood come from?
Today, most Douglas-fir wood is from second-growth plantation trees or smaller trees in overstocked stands; huge beams are mostly a thing of the past. Douglas fir, drawing of. Drawing of Douglas Fir branch.
How long do fir trees live?
How long do Fir trees live? Though the average lifespan of Fir trees usually pegged at around 60 years, many of the Firs live for more than 250 years. The Coast Douglas tree lives more than 500 years. It is not uncommon for these Firs to live beyond 1000 years.

Where did the fir tree come from?
Although several other coniferous trees are commonly called firs—e.g., the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga), the hemlock fir (see hemlock), and the joint fir (see Ephedra), true firs are native to North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.
Where do most fir trees grow?
3. Fir Trees can be found across North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa, preferring mountainous regions, but tolerating many other regions if there is cool, moist, well-drained soil available. They prefer full sun, but some species can tolerate partial shade.
Where does the Douglas fir live?
Rocky Mountain Douglas fir forests extend from the northern Rocky Mountains into the northwestern United States and Canada. This species typically has a wealth of associated species, including Ponderosa pine, sugar pine, incense cedar, and white fir though extensive, pure stands can be found in the Rocky Mountains.
What states do fir trees grow?
California Red Fir (Abies magnifica) Found in the mountains of Oregon, Nevada, and California—especially in the Sierra Nevada range—the California red fir is treasured for its lumber, used extensively for framing and plywood. It's also grown commercially for Christmas trees.
How old do fir trees live?
Firs are long-lived, on average achieving reproductive maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years. Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known.
Why is the fir tree important?
True firs are used to manufacture a rough lumber, suitable for framing buildings, making crates, manufacturing plywood, and other purposes that do not require a fine finish. The Douglas fir is an important species for the manufacturing of a higher-grade lumber.
What is fir used for?
Uses of Douglas fir Douglas fir timber is of great commercial importance, and is used to make beams, veneers, furniture, cladding, decking and flooring. Douglas fir trees are widely grown for Christmas trees.
Is fir a pine tree?
Although both fir and pine trees are conifers, bearing cones, and members of the same plant family, Pinaceae, their plant group names are different. Fir trees are members of the genus Abies; whereas pine trees belong to Pinus.
What tree is a Christmas tree?
Traditional Norway Spruce (Picea Abies) Norway Spruce is the traditional Christmas tree which has been popular since Victoria times with short and thin, varying bright and deep green pointed needles.
Why is it called a fir tree?
The genus name is derived from the Latin "to rise" in reference to the height of its species.
How big does a fir tree grow?
Coast Douglas firs are the faster-growing and larger of the two varieties, and they commonly grow up to 250 feet (76 meters) in old-growth forests and can reach five to six feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) in diameter. Rocky Mountain Douglas firs measure about the same in diameter but only grow up to 160 feet (49 meters).
How fast do fir trees grow?
–24" per yearGrowth Rate This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24" per year.
What is the difference between a pine tree and a fir tree?
On true pine trees, the needles are arranged and attached to the branches in clusters of two (red pine group), three (yellow pine group), or five (white pine group) needles per cluster. Spruce and fir trees have their needles attached individually to the branches.
Is a pine tree a fir tree?
If a twig bears needles in groups of two, three, or five, you can safely call it a pine. If the twig carries its needles singly, it's a good bet you've got a fir or a spruce. Pull off a needle, and roll it between your fingers. If it feels flat and doesn't roll easily, it's a fir.
What's the difference between spruce and fir?
If the twig carries its needles singly, it's a good bet you've got a fir or a spruce. Pull off a needle, and roll it between your fingers. If it feels flat and doesn't roll easily, it's a fir. If the needle has four sides and, thus, rolls easily between your fingers, it's a spruce.
Can fir trees grow in your lungs?
A high index of suspicion is required. A bronchoscopic examination of the airway will establish the diagnosis. In the realm of scientific observation, the adage “trees do not grow in the lungs” indeed holds true in every sense.
Where do fir trees grow?
The Fir tree belongs to the family of towering conifers. It is a native of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The Firs like to grow on mountainous slopes. These trees belong to the species Abies and are woody in nature. It is available in more than 50 species and a lot of cultivars.
What is a fir tree?
The Fir is a conifer tree that has needles instead of leaves. But so do the Pine and Spruce trees have. The trees in the conifer family have lots of similarities. But at the same time, there are uniquely identifiable features of the Fir-tree, which makes it stand out from the other.
How tall does a Fir tree grow?
The length of the Fir tree can be anything from 30 ft to about 260-300 feet.
How long do Fir trees live?
Though the average lifespan of Fir trees usually pegged at around 60 years, many of the Firs live for more than 250 years.
How do you care for a Fir tree?
Care of the Fir tree would mean to plant, water, and nourish the Fir tree correctly. And also protect it against pests and diseases.
What color are balsam fir needles?
The cones of the Balsam Fir are 4 to 8 cm long, and color ranges from dark purple to brown. The fir tree has a grayish bark.
How many varieties of fir trees are there?
There are more than 50 varieties of Fir trees, and each has its peculiarities of needles and cones. Some of the types of Fir and their distinguishing features are;
Where was the Fir Tree filmed?
The tale was adapted to a 28-minute video format in 1979 by Huntingwood Films produced by Kevin Sullivan, directed by Martin Hunter and filmed at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto, Ontario, Canada . Jeff Kahnert provided the voice of the Fir-Tree.
Who read the Fir Tree?
Andersen promoted the tale by reading it aloud at social gatherings. In December 1845, he read "The Fir-Tree" and " The Ugly Duckling " to the Princess of Prussia, and then read "The Fir-Tree" at Count Bismarck-Bohlen's Christmas party.
What does a stork tell him about fir trees?
A stork tells him of seeing older trees chopped down and used as ship masts, and the little tree envies them. In the fall, nearby trees are felled and the sparrows tell the little fir-tree of seeing them decorated in houses. One day while still in his youth, the fir-tree is cut down for a Christmas decoration.
What tree is burned in the spring?
In the spring, the fir-tree – now withered and discolored – is carried into the yard. A boy walks on the tree and takes the star from its topmost branch. The fir-tree is then cut into pieces and burned.
What is the plot of the book "The Baby of the Forest"?
Plot summary. In the woods stands a little fir-tree. He is preoccupied with growing up and is thoroughly embarrassed when a hare hops over him, an act which emphasizes his diminutiveness. The women call him the baby of the forest and again he is embarrassed and frustrated. A stork tells him of seeing older trees chopped down and used as ship masts, ...
What was the first fairy tale to express a deep pessimism?
One scholar (Andersen biographer Jackie Wullschlager) indicates that "The Fir-Tree" was the first of Andersen's fairy tales to express a deep pessimism.
When was Pine adapted into a movie?
In 2014, Janani Sreenivasan adapted her script "Pine", originally performed at the University of Iowa's No Shame Theatre in December 2006, into the short film "The Fir Tree", which she co-directed with Lee Jutton.
Where can I find Douglas Fir?
The Douglas-fir is found from northern British Columbia, south to central California through the North Coast Ranges and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, and east through the Rocky Mountains south to northeastern Mexico. Trees from the west are the subspecies menziesii —coast Douglas-fir. Those in the Rocky Mountains south and in northeastern Oregon belong to variety (or subspecies) glauca, interior or Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir.
Why is Douglas Fir important?
Twitter. Facebook. Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii ), perhaps the most common tree in Oregon, is the most important conifer in the state because of its ecological and economic significance. The Oregon legislature recognized this when it designated Douglas-fir the official state tree in 1936.
What tree is in the west?
Trees from the west are the subspecies menziesii —coast Douglas-fir. Those in the Rocky Mountains south and in northeastern Oregon belong to variety (or subspecies) glauca, interior or Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir. In Oregon, Douglas-fir grows in a variety of mixed conifer and hardwood forests, from sea level to 5,000 feet elevation.
What did Native Americans use Douglas Fir for?
Native Americans used Douglas-fir wood for fuel, small utensils, and tools; they used its pitch for sealing joints and caulking canoes and water containers. They also used the tree and its parts for a variety of medicinal purposes .
How big is a Douglas Fir tree?
The Oregon Champion Coast Douglas-fir grows on Bureau of Land Management land in Coos County. It is 11.6 feet in diameter and 329 feet tall . The National Champion Rocky Mountain or interior Douglas-fir grows in Jefferson County, Oregon, and is puny in comparison, at 8 feet 4 inches in diameter and 139 feet tall. The largest known Douglas-fir is in British Columbia on the west Coast of Vancouver Island. It is 242 feet tall and 13.9 feet in diameter and the only known tree on earth—other than the California big tree ( Sequoiadendron giganteum) and coast redwood ( Sequoia semprivirens )—that has a diameter of 7 feet at 144 feet from the ground.
What is the Oregon state tree?
The Oregon legislature recognized this when it designated Douglas-fir the official state tree in 1936. Eight of ten conifers west of the Cascades are Douglas-firs. The widely accepted common name—Douglas-fir—commemorates David Douglas, the Scottish botanist who identified plants in Oregon in the nineteenth century.
How tall is Douglas Fir?
The largest known Douglas-fir is in British Columbia on the west Coast of Vancouver Island. It is 242 feet tall and 13.9 feet in diameter and the only known tree on earth—other than the California big tree ( Sequoiadendron giganteum) and coast redwood ( Sequoia semprivirens )—that has a diameter of 7 feet at 144 feet from the ground.
What does the fir tree tell the story of?
They like to hear stories about the beautiful forest where the tree grew up, and they like when the fir tree tells the story of ''Humpty Dumpty.''.
What is the lesson of the fir tree?
The fir tree, a type of evergreen tree, in Andersen's ''The Fir Tree'' learns an important lesson about appreciating what we have in the present time rather than focusing on what we don't have or impatiently waiting for the future. While growing up in the forest, the fir spends its time wishing it were taller rather than enjoying its beautiful home.
What is the fir tree in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale?
Even though the fir tree, a type of evergreen tree, lives in a place where the ''warm sun'' and ''fresh air'' make its corner of the forest an ideal location , the little tree cannot see the positives. Instead, it's preoccupied ...
What happens after the family breaks the tree's branches?
What comes next, after the family breaks the tree's branches pulling down the candies and foods hung there , is story time. The fir tree is just as excited as the children to listen to the story of ''Humpty Dumpty.'' The story ends far too soon, but the fir tree is looking forward to the next day, when it hopes to hear even more stories. But the next day the servants, instead of bringing more decorations as the tree expects, take the fir tree up to the attic and leave it ''in a dark corner where no daylight shone.'' The fir tree figures the people are just waiting for the weather to get better so they can replant it.
Who is the teacher of the fir tree?
Lesson Transcript. Instructor: Erica Schimmel. Show bio. Erica has taught college English writing and literature courses and has a master's degree in children's literature. As the fir tree learns in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale 'The Fir Tree', we miss out when we focus on what we don't have instead of enjoying what we do.
Do fir trees grow in a few years?
Just like a child, the fir tree grows quite a bit in a few years' time. But it's still not enough for the fir tree. When men come and chop down the tallest trees, the fir tree wonders what happens to the cut wood.
Is it fun to cut down a fir tree?
The next Christmas the fir tree is chosen first. Being cut down and then going on a bumpy journey isn't exactly fun, but the fir tree starts to feel better once it's set up in a house.
What is a fir tree?
Although ‘fir’ is a name often given to any tall tree with needles that looks roughly like a Christmas tree, it is actually a particular type of tall tree, which grows all across the northern countries of the world, form North America, through Europe and across into China and Japan. They are important forest trees, often covering hundreds of square miles with the same tree, creating valuable ecosystems. In gardens they are popular evergreens, and as well as the natural trees there are many garden forms, with different foliage coloring, different shapes and often smaller growth for smaller spaces. For easy growth, especially in colder parts of the country, they are wonderful for screening, as lawn specimens, or in their special forms as interesting specimens to use in your garden and bring a unique touch. They are easy to grow, tough and undemanding, so when looking for evergreen trees, consider the fir tree.
What is the purpose of fir trees?
One important use of Fir Trees is for screening. A row of these handsome trees will soon become an attractive barrier that is green and protective all year round. They can be planted alone, or you can add other trees and shrubs to create a full wind-break, of you have room. This will totally protect your property, giving you privacy and a beautiful garden.
How do fir trees look?
Fir Trees look very like the more well-known spruce trees, such as the popular blue spruce seen in many gardens, but they can easily be recognized as different. The needles (leaves) of fir trees are normally arranged in two rows down either side of the stem, instead of growing all the way round. They are flat and they have two white stripes on the underside. As well, the cones usually stand upright on the stems, rather than hanging down as they do in spruce and most other evergreens. They also do this in the true Cedars (Cedrus), but in those trees the needles are wrapped around the stem and not in two rows.
What is the name of the blue fir tree?
It is not often available, and if you live in a warm area, and love Fir Trees, then this is the one. The blue-needles form, called Blue Spanish Fir ( Abies pinsapo ‘Glauca’) is the replacement for a blue spruce in the hottest states, and looks fabulous on a large lawn. It is easy to grow, and fast-growing too.
What is the best zone for Spanish Fir?
Spanish Fir – Abies Pinsapo. This popular European Fir Tree is not grown as much as it should be. It grows well in warm zones, from zone 6 to 9, and makes a very beautiful tree in those areas. The needles grow all the way around the stems, so it looks a little different to other Fir Trees.
What is the best Korean Fir tree?
This is a smaller tree, growing perhaps to 40 feet tall, and it has several attractive dwarf forms which are especially good for small gardens. The best is definitely the Silver Curls Korean Fir, ...
How long do needles stay in a tree?
The needles remain in place for several years , and the lower branches will also stay for many years, especially if there is room for them, and if the tree is growing in full sun. Eventually lower branches will stop growing, so that older trees develop a trunk.
Who wrote the Fir Tree?
The Fir Tree was written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published on 21st December 1844. It is just one of Andersen’s tales that expresses deep pessimism. It is quite a saddening tale and may just teach us to respect our Christmas trees, and maybe even tell them stories.
What is the sad story of a fir tree?
A sad, sad tale of the life of a fir tree. The young fir tree so anxious to grow up, so anxious for greater things, that it cannot appreciate living in the moment. It’s not until it is chopped down for Christmas and cast aside when festivities are over that it realises how good life in the woods once was.
What tree told the story of the little mice?
And then the Fir Tree told the whole story. It could remember every single word; and the little Mice were ready to leap to the very top of the tree with pleasure. Next night a great many more Mice came, and on Sunday two Rats even appeared; but these thought the story was not pretty, and the little Mice were sorry for that, for now they also did not like it so much as before.
What happened to the little Fir Tree in the fall?
In the autumn woodcutters always came and felled a few of the largest trees; that happened every year, and the little Fir Tree, that was now quite well grown, shuddered with fear, for the great stately trees fell to the ground with a crash, and their branches were cut off, so that the trees looked quite naked, long, and slender—they could hardly be recognized. But then they were laid upon wagons, and horses dragged them away out of the wood. Where were they going? What destiny awaited them?
What did the tree look at in the garden?
And the Tree looked at all the blooming flowers and the splendour of the garden, and then looked at itself, and wished it had remained in the dark corner of the garret; it thought of its fresh youth in the wood, of the merry Christmas-eve, and of the little Mice which had listened so pleasantly to the story of Humpty-Dumpty.
What did the tree ask the Swallows and the Stork in the spring?
In the spring, when the Swallows and the Stork came, the Tree asked them, “Do you know where they were taken? Did you not meet them?”
Who peeped on the tree in the tree?
The children danced about with their pretty toys. No one looked at the Tree except the old nursemaid, who came up and peeped among the branches, but only to see if a fig or an apple had not been forgotten.
Overview
"The Fir-Tree" (Danish: Grantræet) is a literary fairy tale by the Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875). The tale is about a fir tree so anxious to grow up, so anxious for greater things, that he cannot appreciate living in the moment. The tale was first published 21 December 1844 with "The Snow Queen", in New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection, in Copenhagen, Denmark, by C.A. Reitzel. One scholar (Andersen biographer Jackie Wullschlager) i…
Plot summary
In the woods stands a little fir-tree. He is preoccupied with growing up and is thoroughly embarrassed when a hare hops over him, an act which emphasizes his diminutiveness. The women call him the baby of the forest and again he is embarrassed and frustrated. A stork tells him of seeing older trees chopped down and used as ship masts, and the little tree envies them. In the fall, nearb…
Publication history
"The Fir-Tree" was published with "The Snow Queen" on 21 December 1844 by C.A. Reitzel, in Copenhagen, Denmark, in New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection (Nye Eventyr. Første Bind. Anden Samling). The tale was republished 18 December 1849 as a part of Fairy Tales 1850 and again on 15 December 1862 as a part of Fairy Tales and Stories 1862. The tale has since been transla…
Commentary
Andersen's biographer, Jackie Wullschlager, suggests the tale portrays a certain psychological type (like its author) who cannot be happy in the moment because he expects greater glory just around the corner and then is overwhelmed with regret. The fir-tree, like his creator, is "a fantasist, vain, fearful, restless, afflicted with the trembling sensitivity of the neurotic, manically swinging from hope to misery." By placing the tale in a gentle, nonthreatening domestic setting of silk dra…
Adaptations
The tale was adapted to a 28-minute video format in 1979 by Huntingwood Films produced by Kevin Sullivan, directed by Martin Hunter and filmed at Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Jeff Kahnert provided the voice of the Fir-Tree. This was the first film produced by Kevin Sullivan who went on to write, direct and produce the Anne of Green Gables movies.
It was adapted as the sixteenth episode of The Fairytaler.
See also
• List of works by Hans Christian Andersen
External links
• Works related to The Fir Tree at Wikisource
• Danish Wikisource has original text related to this article: Grantræet
• Media related to The Fir-Tree at Wikimedia Commons
• "The Fir Tree" English translation by Jean Hersholt