Wood Species Guide
White Fir
Abies concolor
Also called: Concolor Fir, Colorado Fir, Silver Fir, Balsam Fir (regional); sold in Hem-Fir and white wood lumber
About the name “White Fir”
Several true firs are sold together as "white fir" or Hem-Fir lumber, including grand fir and California red fir. The name silver fir also belongs to the European Abies alba and the Pacific silver fir.
What White Fir looks like
Off-white to pale tan or light reddish tan, with little difference between heartwood and sapwood.
Grain and texture
Straight grain with a medium texture. The earlywood and latewood contrast less than in Douglas fir.
Working White Fir: planing, cutting and gluing
Easy to cut, nail and screw. It is soft, so sharp tools help keep the surface clean. It is free of pitchy resin in the wood.
Finishing White Fir: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Paints well and takes clear finishes evenly. Condition before staining. Seal coat before epoxy to limit bubbles from the porous surface.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Not durable and decays quickly in contact with moisture. Insects attack it. Keep it indoors in Florida.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
White fir is common framing and millwork lumber in the western US, often stamped Hem-Fir. It makes decent painted shelving and shop projects, and it has no strong smell. It is not a furniture or slab wood. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for White Fir
Construction lumber, plywood, millwork, boxes, crates 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-sawn 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.
White Fir in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have White 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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