Wood Species Guide

Grand Fir

Abies grandis

Also called: Lowland White Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland Fir; sold in Hem-Fir and white fir lumber

Grand fir is one of the tallest true firs of the Pacific Northwest, sold mostly as Hem-Fir framing lumber. Its wood is light, pale and easy to nail.
DomesticSoftwoodFirs & Spruces
Good forBudget-Friendly

What Grand Fir looks like

Pale cream to light tan with a faint reddish cast, and little contrast between heartwood and sapwood.

Grain and texture

Straight grain with a medium texture. It can have a slightly unpleasant smell when green that fades as it dries.

Working Grand Fir: planing, cutting and gluing

Works easily with hand and machine tools. Soft fibers can crush, so use sharp cutters. It nails and glues well.

Finishing Grand Fir: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Paints well and takes clear finishes. Condition before stain. Seal coat before an epoxy pour to keep bubbles down.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Not durable and decays quickly when wet. Insects attack it. In Florida it is an indoor-only wood.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Grand fir is mostly sold mixed with other firs and hemlock as Hem-Fir framing lumber and plywood. It works fine for painted shelving, shop furniture and crates. It is not a furniture showpiece wood. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.

Common uses for Grand Fir

Construction lumber, plywood, pulp, boxes, crates and millwork.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating LowWhat the ratings mean
  • Skin irritation
  • Splinters prone to infection

Reactions are uncommon. Fir dust can irritate the skin, and splinters from rough stock can fester.

In the shop
Dust collection and a mask when sanding; gloves for rough stock
Food contact
Not recommended for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Fir dust is occasionally reported to irritate skin. Use dust collection and a mask when sanding.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared

Grand Fir in stock now

Ask us. We can often source it.

We don't have Grand Fir listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.

Call (239) 331-5925 Book a slab & lumber visit

Similar woods: Firs & Spruces

See the Firs & Spruces group guide

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