ALPINE FIR.
(Abies lasiocarpa)

This is the most common tree in the sub-alpine and timberline zones in Mount Rainier National Park. In many respects it is the most beautiful of local trees. Its habit of forming artistic "family" groups, with the larger trees in the center and smallest seedlings upon the outer edge, and its compact, pyramidal, spire-like crown makes this tree one of the most attractive features of the sub-alpine meadows.

The locality at which these trees grow naturally affects their size. Under the best conditions mature specimens will generally be from 50-100 feet tall and 10-24 inches in diameter. However timberline alpine firs are often little more than sprawling shrubs or are dwarfed and contorted and not more than 3-4 feet tall. The bark is thin, hard, generally smooth and dark ash-grey on the exterior and brown in the interior. Blister-like resin pockets characterize the bark of young trees. The crown is dense, very long and often extends to the ground; is pyramidal in outline and has a stiff erect spire-like central leader at the apex. The graceful outward and downward sweep of the branches serves a useful purpose during the winter as, by that means, excessive accumulation of snow is shed from the tree. The foliage is dark green. Individual needles are flat, soft to the touch, blunt at the apex and broadened at the base so that, in common with all species of true firs they leave a round leaf scar on the twig when they fall or are pulled from it. The needles are densely clustered upon the branches and have a tendency to curve upward, massing upon the sides and top of the branches. This is particularly noticeable upon the upper branches of the tree. The cones, are borne upright upon the branches, in the upper portion of the crown, this feature being characteristic of the cones of all true firs. They are 2-4 inches long and 1 - 1-1/2 inches in diameter, flat topped and a beautiful deep purple in color. At maturity they disintegrate, leaving woody cone spikes upon the branches. The wood is soft and light cream in color. It is not considered a long lived tree, and while no calculations as to the age of local specimens under different conditions, have been made, Sudworth states that trees from 12-20 inches in diameter are likely from 140-210 years of age.

The range of this species includes the high sub-alpine meadows and timberline country from southeastern Alaska to Oregon along the Pacific Coast and, inland, from Alberta south along the Rockies to southern Arizona and New Mexico.

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