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[[Image:Abies_Orjen_foliage.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies alba'' foliage from Dinaric calcareous fir forests on Mt. Orjen]]

[[Image:Abies_Orjen_foliage.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies alba'' foliage from Dinaric calcareous fir forests on Mt. Orjen]]

'''Firs''' (''Abies'') are a genus of between 45-55 species of [[evergreen]] [[Pinophyta|conifers]] in the family [[Pinaceae]]. All are [[tree]]s, reaching heights of 10-80 m (30-260 ft) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5-4 m (2-12 ft) when mature. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their needle-like [[leaf|leaves]], attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical [[Conifer cone|cones]] 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged [[seed]]s. Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone. They are most closely related to the [[cedar]]s (''Cedrus''). Firs are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in [[mountain]]s over most of the range.

'''Firs''' (''Abies'') are a genus of between 45-55 species of [[evergreen]] [[Pinophyta|conifers]] in the family [[Pinaceae]]. All are [[tree]]s, reaching heights of 10-80 m (30-260 ft) tall and trunk diameters of 0.5-4 m (2-12 ft) when mature. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their needle-like [[leaf|leaves]], attached to the twig by a base that resembles a small suction cup; and by erect, cylindrical [[Conifer cone|cones]] 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long that disintegrate at maturity to release the winged [[seed]]s. Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone.  

 

Firs are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes abella]]'' (recorded on [[White Fir]]), [[Autumnal Moth]], [[Korscheltellus|Conifer Swift]] (a pest of [[Balsam Fir]]), [[Engrailed|The Engrailed]], [[Grey Pug]], [[Mottled Umber]] and [[Pine Beauty]].

[[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.

[[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.

==Classification==

==Species==

* '''Section ''Balsamea''''' (Taiga|boreal Asia and North America, and high mountains further south)

* '''Section ''Balsamea''''' (Taiga|boreal Asia and North America, and high mountains further south)

**''[[Fraser Fir|Abies fraseri]]'' - Fraser Fir

**''[[Fraser Fir|Abies fraseri]]'' - Fraser Fir

* '''Section ''Bracteata''''' ([[California]] coast)

* '''Section ''Bracteata''''' ([[California]] coast)

**''[[Bristlecone Fir|Abies bracteata]]'' - Bristlecone Fir

**''[[Bristlecone Fir|Abies bracteata]]'' - Bristlecone Fir

==Uses==

==Uses==

The [[wood]] of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of [[plywood]] and rough timber. [[Nordmann Fir]], [[Noble Fir]], [[Fraser Fir]] and [[Balsam Fir]] are very popular [[Christmas tree]]s, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably [[Korean Fir]] and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall.

The [[wood]] of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber use, and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of [[plywood]] and rough timber. [[Nordmann Fir]], [[Noble Fir]], [[Fraser Fir]] and [[Balsam Fir]] are very popular [[Christmas tree]]s, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably [[Korean Fir]] and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly coloured cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall.

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.conifers.org/pi/ab/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - ''Abies'']

* [http://www.conifers.org/pi/ab/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - ''Abies'']

* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/ABIEScones.htm Arboretum de Villardebelle cone photos: Images of cones of selected species]

* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/ABIEScones.htm Arboretum de Villardebelle cone photos: Images of cones of selected species]