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Boring
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Schedules
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Nailing
Natural Durability
Numerical Data
Odor
Painting
Planing
Polishing
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Response to Hand Tools
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Staining
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities
| |
Common Names
Fir, Noble fir, Oregon larch, Red fir, Western fir, White fir
Regions of Distribution
North America
Countries of Distribution
[VIEW MAP]
United States
Common Uses
Beams, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Cabin construction, Casks, Concrete formwork, Construction, Decks, Decorative plywood, Dressed boards, Factory construction, Food containers, Form work, Foundation posts, Framing, Heavy construction, Joinery (external): ground contact, Joinery, Joists, Light construction, Lumber, Matches, Millwork, Moldings, Packing cases, Plywood, Porch columns, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Rough boards/dimension stock, Rough construction, Structural plywood, Utility plywood
Environmental Profile
| Abundant/Secure |
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| Rare |
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| Widespread |
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| May be rare in some parts of its range |
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| Globally secure |
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| Data source is Nature Conservancy |
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| Abundant |
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Distribution Overview
Noble fir is native (in the U.S.) to the Cascade Mountains and high peaks of the Coast Range (3,000 to 5,000 feet) from western Washington through western Oregon to northwest California. It is usually found growing with other conifers in high mountain regions where short, cool growing seasons are common. It prefers moist soils and deep winter snows.
Heartwood Color
| Brown |
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| Yellow |
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| White |
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| Red |
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| Purple |
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| Orange |
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| Pale brown |
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| Yellow to golden-yellow to orange |
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| Brown |
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| Whitish |
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| White to cream |
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| Same as sapwood |
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| Reddish brown |
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| Light buff to yellowish brown |
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The latewood area of the growth rings may have a reddish brown, lavender or roseate tinge
Sapwood Color
| Red |
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| Brown |
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| Yellow |
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| White |
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| Paler than heartwood |
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| Color not distinct from heartwood |
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Grain
| Even |
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| Straight |
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| Figure |
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| Growth rings (figure) |
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| Stripe (figure) |
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| Straight |
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| Striped figure |
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| Even |
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| Clear growth rings (figure) |
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Texture
| Coarse |
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| Fine |
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| Medium |
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| Fair to medium coarse |
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Luster
Natural Durability
| Non-durable |
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| Perishable |
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| Non durable |
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| Very low natural resistance to attack by decay fungi and wood destroying organisms |
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Very little natural resistance
Odor
| Has an odor |
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| No specific smell or taste |
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| May have a slightly disagreeable smell when green |
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Kiln Schedules
| UK=L US=T14C6S/T12C5S - |
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| 12 - A5 (4/4); T10 - A3 (8/4) US |
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Drying Defects
| Splitting |
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| Distortion |
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| Warping can be expected |
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| Expect splits |
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Ease of Drying
Tree Size
| Tree height is greater than 70 m |
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| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm |
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| Tree height is 60-70 m |
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| Tree height is 50-60 m |
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| Tree height is 30-40 m |
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| Tree height is 40-50 m |
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| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
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| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
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| Trunk diameter is 350-400 cm |
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Comments
General finishing qualities are rated as good
Boring
| Fair to good results |
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| Fairly easy to very easy |
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| Good (75+ pieces out of 100 will yield good to excellent results) |
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Gluing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Easy to glue |
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| Excellent gluing properties |
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Mortising
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Mortises well |
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Moulding
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Good moulding properties |
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Nailing
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Holds nails well |
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| Good resistance to splitting while nailing |
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| Easy to nail |
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Planing
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Good planing properties |
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Resistance to Impregnation
| Resistant heartwood |
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| Resistant sapwood |
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| Heartwood is resistant |
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| Heartwood is moderately resistant |
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| Difficult to treat with preservatives |
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Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work |
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| Easy to machine |
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Screwing
| Very Good to Excellent Results |
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| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Fair to Good Results |
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| Good screw holding properties |
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| Excellent screwing properties |
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Turning
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Good results |
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Veneering Qualities
| Veneers moderately easy |
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| Difficult to veneer |
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| Veneers easily |
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| Suitable for peeling |
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| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits |
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| Moderately easy to veneer |
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Painting
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Satisfactory results |
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Polishing
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Satisfactory results |
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Staining
| Fair to Good Results |
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| Finish is generally satisfactory |
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Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low |
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| Max. crushing strength = low |
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| Hardness (side grain) = very soft |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = medium |
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| Work to Maximum Load = very low |
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| Weight = light |
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| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low |
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| Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low |
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| Surfaces may dent easily |
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| Soft |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low |
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| Max. crushing strength = medium |
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| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Crushing strength = medium |
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Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
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| Bending Strength | 6626 | 10877 | psi |
| Crushing Strength | 265 | 510 | psi |
| Density | | 25 | lbs/ft3 |
| Hardness | | 367 | lbs |
| Impact Strength | 19 | 22 | inches |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 2823 | 5364 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | | 975 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1252 | 1518 | 1000 psi |
| Toughness | | 216 | inch-lbs |
| Work to Maximum Load | 5 | 8 | inch-lbs/in3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.3 | 0.27 | |
| Weight | 25 | 25 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | | % |
| Volumetric Shrinkage | 12 | | % |
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| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
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| Bending Strength | 465 | 764 | kg/cm2 |
| Crushing Strength | 18 | 35 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | | 400 | kg/m3 |
| Hardness | | 166 | kg |
| Impact Strength | 48 | 55 | cm |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 198 | 377 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | | 68 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 88 | 106 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Toughness | | 248 | cm-kg |
| Work to Maximum Load | 0.35 | 0.56 | cm-kg/cm3 |
| Specific Gravity | 0.3 | 0.27 | |
| Weight | 400 | 400 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 4 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 8 | | % |
References
Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA
Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World, No. 6 Europe,TRADA, Red Booklet Series
Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London
Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO
Howard, A.L.,1948,A Manual of Timbers of the World.,Macmillan & Co. Ltd. London 3rd ed.
I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting
Lavers, G. M. 1966. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50. Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London.
Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50)
Little E.L. 1980. The Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Western Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.
Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press
Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43
T.D.A.,1942,Timber Leaflet No.71 Silver Fir,TRADA Timber Leaflet
U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72
USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook:Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin.
USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.
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