Silver fir

Silver fir is a large evergreen conifer of the pine family that grows in higher-altitude forests in Europe. It is among the tallest species of its genus, and its needles and twigs give silver fir needle oil.

Type

Plant

Botanical name

Abies alba

Tree

The tree reaches heights of up to 60 m. Its dark green needles stay on the tree for six to eight years and have two silvery bands on the underside. Silver fir is long-lived, tolerates some shade, prefers rich, deep, well-drained soil and forms a deep taproot that stabilises the soil around it; it is sensitive to air pollution and grows best in cool, mountainous areas.

Uses

The tree is planted in many European countries for timber, wood pulp and Christmas trees. In folk medicine its resin has been applied to wounds, smeared on the temples for headaches in Italy and used in compresses for arthrosis.

Oils

Silver fir needle oil is distilled from the needles alone or from twigs with needles. A different oil, templin oil, is distilled from the crushed cones.