Abies alba
Specifications
Family
Pinaceae
Species
Abies alba Mill.
silver fir
Description
Whitish in color, it has a slightly rancid odor when fresh. Its texture is medium-fine, the grain straight, and its density varies from 0.31 to 0.61 with an average of 0.44. It may present significant irregularities in the width of the rings and in its firmness, and it is often swollen.
Plant morphology
A slender, pyramidal evergreen tree, it grows up to 40 meters tall. The needle-like leaves are not sharp and have two distinctive whitish streaks on the underside. The cones are erect, oblong, with protruding bracts that open on the plant when ripe.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
South European orophyte, widespread in the mountainous regions of Central Europe, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
Habitat and ecology
Typical of mountainous regions with moderate temperature variations, high humidity, and cool, shallow soils. It does not spontaneously form pure forests, but associates with beech and spruce, although it is less common.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in the paper industry, in carpentry, joinery, and for hydraulic engineering, making masts for boats, window frames, matches, fiberboard, and large poles. Turpentine, used in pharmacy and veterinary medicine, is also obtained from the distillation of the leaves.
Use in musical instruments
Thanks to its excellent qualities as a resonant wood, it is sought after in violin making for the soundboards of stringed instruments and for the soundboards of pianos. It is also used for instrument making in general.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Overexploitation and selective logging in favor of other species. In recent decades, however, the decline of silver fir populations has halted, thanks to changes in land use patterns and a shift toward more sustainable forest management.
Conservation measures
Naturalistic forestry management is desirable.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2015
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2015
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Fine, Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
440
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
35
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
72
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
70
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
14500
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Not very durable
Insect resistance
Not resistant
Miscellaneous
Although it belongs to the category of resinous woods, the resin is limited to the cortical area only.