Wood Species Guide
Noble Fir
Abies procera
Also called: Red Fir (regional), Feathercone Fir, Larch (old trade name); sold in Hem-Fir lumber
About the name “Noble Fir”
Old Pacific Northwest lumbermen sold noble fir as larch, and it is sometimes called red fir, but true red fir is Abies magnifica and larch is a different genus.
What Noble Fir looks like
Light tan to pale reddish brown, with only slight contrast between heartwood and sapwood.
Grain and texture
Straight, even grain with a medium texture. Clear, knot-free boards are common from large trees.
Working Noble Fir: planing, cutting and gluing
Easy to work, with clean cuts and planing. It is one of the stronger true firs for its weight. Glues and fastens well.
Finishing Noble Fir: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes paint and clear finishes evenly. Condition before stain. Seal coat before epoxy to limit outgassing.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not durable and decays quickly outdoors; susceptible to insects. Stable once dry. In Florida keep it indoors.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Noble fir is best known as a premium Christmas tree. Clear lumber is used for millwork, ladders and moldings, and the rest goes into Hem-Fir framing. It is a good straight-grained painted trim wood. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Noble Fir
Millwork, molding, ladders, plywood, construction lumber and Christmas trees.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Skin irritation
- Splinters prone to infection
Reactions are uncommon. Fir dust can irritate the skin, and rough splinters can fester if left in.
- 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.
Noble Fir in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Noble 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.
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