Fir does not specifically refer to a certain kind of tree, but the general name of evergreen trees belonging to Abies of Pinaceae. They usually have straight trunk ends and twigs in rotation. They are about 40 meters high and 1 meter in diameter. They have gray or dark gray bark and light red skin inside; The bark breaks into irregular flakes and then sticks to the surface of the trunk. The main branches of fir will extend obliquely upward, and the new branches of fir will be light brown yellow or light gray-yellow, while the two-year-old and three-year-old fir branches will become grayer, they’re mostly light brown-gray or dark brown-gray.
Firs are widely distributed around the world. Firs can be found in Asia, Europe, North America, Central America and the subalpine to alpine areas in the northernmost part of Africa. Firs generally appear in cool and humid areas. They often grow on shady slopes from high latitudes to low latitudes and high mountains. They also appear in valleys and semi shady environments. They are plants with a strong tolerance. They not only adapt to cool and cold climate, but also like acidic brown forest soil with many clouds, high air humidity, good drainage, and rich humus.
Firs also often grow together with other plants that like wet and cold environment to form a mixed forest, such as larch, hemlock, and some broad-leaved trees. In addition, firs like to take root and sprout in mountain brown soil and dark brown soil, which can make them grow stronger and stronger.
Fir trees represent tenacious and indomitable spirit. In Romania, firs have a very high status. People think that firs are "trees of life" and will carve tombstones with fir wood. Local people believe that firs are magical trees that can ward off evil spirits. The cradles of newborns are made from fir wood. They firmly believe that this can bring divine protection to vulnerable infants. In Romania, you can see decorations carved from fir hanging on the outer wall of the house of every family. Firs can be seen everywhere not only in the homes of local people, but also in the forests, where there are many fir trees.
Perhaps many people don't know that Firs have existed for tens of millions of years. They first occurred in the late Cretaceous period. In the Miocene and Quaternary of the tertiary, the species of firs began to increase gradually, and the distribution area on the continent also expanded slowly. Then they survived the ice age and continue to grow and propagate to this day. Therefore, firs are "living fossil" in the plant world.
