Description

Abies- Fir

This mid to large evergreen shrubs and trees, makes them ideal for shurburn areas.  They prefer cool-cold climates such as Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America mountainous areas where they escape urban pollution and extreme temperatures although some varies expand into the tropics.  These fir’s has long narrow, needles that are distributed equally horizontal and laterally along the twig. Color differs mid to dark green often with grayish white bands underneath. Female cones grow erect on upper branches, which ripen over a year then release seeds.

They prefer sun moist soil or soil with good moisture retention but with good drainage, neutral to alkaline soil.  The only pruning needed to be done is to remove dead twigs to insure good circulation.

Prone to adelgids, bark beetles, bagworms and spruce budworms.  A wide variety of fungi cause needle blights and root rots.  Rust diseases are common.

Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica – Alpine Fir – Subalpine Fir – Rocky Mountain Fir – Corkbark Fir  – This conical tree that reaches 60’ feet tall and has a spread of 12’ feet.  Found in the upper most tree lines in the USA Rockies from Arizona to Alaska.  It has dense spiky 1” needles that are a blue gray crowded and overlapping with a waxy coating.  Also has thick corky pale bark.  Cones are 3-4” long and are fat oblong and dark purple.

Zones 5-6