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.

A. grandis – Giant Fir – Grand Fir – Lowland Fir – This huge columnar conifer can reach 300 feet growing 3 feet a year with a spread 20 feet wide.  Grows on Vancouver Island to south Sonoma county, in California, as well as Oregon to Idaho.  It has dark green, soft glossy, needles to 2 ½ inches long with whitish banding on the undersides.  The bark is a smooth gray cracked in squares on mature trees.  The cones are 5 inches long, are initially green ripening to grayish brown.  The wood is also used as lumber.

Zones 6-9