Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)
Gitxsan name: hoo'oxs
Wet'suwet'en name: ts'o tsin
Botanical Description
- 20-35 metres tall tree (can reach up to 50 metres) with narrow,
spire-shaped crown, short, thick branches, resin blisters on bark
- blunt needles, bluish green, turn upwards
- large cylindrical seed cones, deep purple, lighten with age, erect near
top of tree
- often erroneously called balsam fir
- common and abundant at subalpine elevations, also at low elevations in
moister areas
Photo courtesy of E. J. Underhill (45kB)
Ethnobotanical Description
The pitch and bark preparations were used for wounds, eye injuries or
even taken internally for respiratory ailments. The wood, bark, boughs were all used
as roof shingles, baskets and bedding. The pitch was also used to coat canoe seams and
rubbed on bowstrings as a sealant and protectant. The rotten wood was used as a smudge for
tanning animal hides.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the SchoolNet
Digital Collection Program, Industry Canada.
Revised: 08/21/98
