Family: Pinaceae

Abies grandis, commonly known as the grand fir, is a tall conifer native to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains of North America. In favorable conditions, it can reach impressive heights of 200 feet or more, making it one of the tallest true firs. The species is characterized by its flat, glossy green needles arranged in two horizontal ranks, giving its branches a distinctive feather-like appearance. In its native range, grand fir grows in cool, moist valleys and mountain slopes, where it is an important component of mixed conifer forests. It has long been valued for timber, pulpwood, and as a fragrant Christmas tree.

Although it has naturalized in some temperate regions in the world, in Hawaiʻi, Abies grandis is not naturalized and has not shown invasive tendencies. Its natural distribution in temperate, high-elevation climates means it is poorly suited to lowland tropical environments, limiting its potential for spread.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in New Zealand and Great Britain
  
• Possibly allelopathic
  
• Flammable
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Forms dense stands in native range
  
• Able to hybridize with other Abies species
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite ability to spread, no negative impacts have been documented
  
• Palatable to browsing animals (may limit spread outside cultivated areas)
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• Popular Christmas tree
  
• Long time to reproductive maturity (20+ years)
  
• Seeds do not persist longer than 1 year