Abies grandis
Grand fir
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Family: Pinaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Abies grandis (Grand fir) is a native California tree in the Pinaceae family, recognized by elevation and 2-ranked leaves.
Grand fir is a native tree found in northwestern California in redwood, Douglas-fir, and mixed-evergreen forests at elevations below 700 meters. Its mature crown is distinctively rounded with large branches, featuring bark that transitions from white-gray in youth to red-brown as it ages. Growing to heights up to 73 meters with a trunk potentially 1.6 meters wide, this tree has distinctively arranged needles that grow in two ranks along branches, with shorter needles toward the twig tip. Its two-ranked leaves are approximately 5 centimeters long, with slightly flattened surfaces and tips that are either notched or blunt. The tree produces seed cones 8 to 15 centimeters long, borne on short stalks less than 5 millimeters in length.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; elevation and 2-ranked leaves are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Redwood, Douglas-fir, mixed-evergreen forests
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Mendocino, Humboldt, Sonoma, Siskiyou, Shasta, Del Norte, Trinity, Alameda, Tuolumne, Mariposa
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudotsuga: Fir cones stand upright and disintegrate on tree; Douglas-fir cones hang down with pitchfork bracts and fall intact.; vs Pinus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5.; vs Picea: Fir twigs are smooth after needle drop; spruce twigs have rough, persistent peg-like bumps.; vs Sequoia: Fir has individual flat needles and upright cones; redwood has flat sprays of scale-like leaves and small round cones.; vs Cedrus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; cedar needles grow in dense rosettes on short shoots with barrel-shaped cones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abies grandis native to California?
Yes. Abies grandis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Abies grandis grow?
Abies grandis occurs in Mendocino, Humboldt, Sonoma, Siskiyou, Shasta, Del Norte, Trinity, Alameda and other counties, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Abies grandis belong to?
Abies grandis is in the Pinaceae family, genus Abies.
What habitat does Abies grandis grow in?
Abies grandis grows in Redwood, Douglas-fir, mixed-evergreen forests.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.