Note: In the Pacific Northwest, the native firs tend to segregate along overlapping elevational zones, with grand fir near sea level, Pacific silver fir next highest, noble fir next, and subalpine fir the highest. In the west, relationships between noble and California red fir are similar to the relationship between balsam and Fraser in the east.
Eastern Species
Western Species
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Includes about 40 species of trees in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. There are 9 species in the U.S. which are generally tolerant and used primarily for pulp. The bark is relatively smooth with resin blisters when young whcih eventually becomes generally scaly or deeply furrowed. Buds are generally globose and are more or less resinous.