Grand Fir or Giant Fir is native to the Pacific Northwest. It is easily distinguished from other Pacific Northwest firs by its sprays of lustrous needles in two distinct rows. The needles are a glossy dark green and are 1 to 1 ½ inches long. It is an extremely popular species in the inland states of Idaho, Colorado and Montana. It produces a beautiful, thick foliaged tree when sheared and is known for its strong fragrance.

Fun Facts: The Okanagan people built canoes from Grand Fir bark and rubbed its pitch on paddles to give them a good finish. They also applied pitch to the back of bows to provide a secure grip. Grand Fir bark, sometimes mixed with stinging nettles, was boiled and the concoction used for bathing and as a general tonic. The Lushoot tribe boiled needles to make a medicinal tea for colds. The Ditidaht sometimes brought boughs inside as an air freshener and burned them as incense and to make a purifying smoke to ward off illnesses. The Hesquiat made branches into incense and decorative clothing for wolf dancers. They also rubbed the pitch mixed with oil on their scalps as a perfume and to prevent baldness.