The Siberian fir (Abies sibirica) is a coniferous evergreen tree in the Pinaceae family native to the taiga east of the Volga Riverine in Siberia, stretching through Turkestan and Mongolia. Its leaves are highly aromatic, lending a woodsy scent to everything they touch.

Siberian firs thrive in cold, boreal climates with moist soil, often growing in mountains or river basins. Remarkably hardy, they're resistant to both shade and frost, surviving temperatures down to -58 degrees Fahrenheit, or -50 degrees Celsius. Despite their toughness, Siberian firs rarely live over 200 years, since they're highly susceptible to fungal decay in their wood, which is soft, lightweight, and weak.

These trees grow up to 115 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of about three feet. Their grey-green, smooth bark has resin blisters typical of most firs, of which there are over 50 other species.The name fir is derived from the Latin "to rise," in reference to their towering height.

Another commonality among the species within the fir genus is the presence of cones. On the Siberian fir, these cones are cylindrical and only a few inches in length, with small bracts hidden by the scales. They ripen from a blue hue to the deep brown you see come mid-autumn. Its seeds are released only when the cone falls from the tree and disintegrates after maturity.

Aside from its use in aromatherapy and perfume, the Siberian fir is often used in construction and furniture. It can also be used for wood pulp, the raw material used in the industrial production of paper products.

At AMASS, Siberian fir essential oil is used in our Forest Bath Salts to lend a deep forest aroma alongside ingredients like black spruce and cedar. It's known for its relaxing properties, which can be therapeutic in moments of change or upheaval.