White fir (Abies alba)

Other names: white fir, Abies, Abies picea, Pinus abies Du Roi, Abies vulgaris Poiret

White fir (Abies alba), also known as white fir, Abies, Abies picea, Pinus abies Du Roi or Abies vulgaris Poiret, is a plant belonging to the pine family. It is one of the relatively widespread trees in Central Europe, and can reach a size of up to 60 metres. The white fir thrives especially in cooler areas and with a sufficient supply of moisture. The lifespan of this species of fir can exceed 500 years.

The uses of the white fir are manifold. The wood from these trees is relatively light and soft, yet strong and resistant to stress, making it a popular material for making musical instruments such as violins. It is also used to make various types of furniture, interior panelling, wooden floors and so on. In addition, white fir is used in the production of pulp, which is the basis for paper. The wood also produces turpentine, which is used in medicine and varnish production, for example. Young branches and needles can be used to distil essential oil, which has a wide range of uses, for example in aromatherapy or cosmetics.