Larch

The Abies Procera is commonly known as Larch, Noble Fir, Red Fir, as well as White Fir

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Growing Regions

Noble fir occurs in the Cascade Range from Stevens Pass, Washington, south to southern Oregon and the Klamath Mountains in northern Calfornia [17,18,22,31,34]. Scattered populations occur on isolated peaks in the northern Coast Ranges of Oregon and in the Willapa Hills of southwestern Washington [17,18,34]. A few sources indicate that noble fir does not occur in the Olympic Mountains [17,22]. It is cultivated in Hawaii [50].

     

General Information

The currently accepted scientific name of noble fir is Abies procera Rehd. [31,34]. There are no recognized varieties or subspecies. Noble fir hybridizes readily with California red fir (Abies magnifica) [22,34]. Populations in southern Oregon and northwestern California may represent hybrid swarms between these two species [22]. Noble fir occurring south of the McKenzie River is not genetically pure [17].

Noble fir is often dominant in young, mixed stands [21].  It occurs
primarily in the Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) zone [15,17] and
less frequently in the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and mountain
hemlock (T. mertensiana) zones [17,19].  Noble fir occurs with
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and replaces it in the upper half of
the Pacific silver fir zone [15].  Occasionally, noble fir occurs in
small pure stands [17].

Noble fir is listed as a minor or associated species in the publications
listed below:

Plant association and management guide for the Pacific silver fir zone,
  Gifford Pinchot National Forest [4]
Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington [15]
The forest communities of Mount Rainier National Park [20]
Plant association and management guide for the Pacific silver fir zone,
  Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests [28]
Plant association and management guide, Suislaw National forest [29]
Terrestrial natural communities of California [32]
Montane and subalpine vegetation of the Klamath Mountains [39]

• More Larch Information

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