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. nordmanniana – Caucasian Fir – Nordmann Fir –Native to the Caucasus, and Northern Turkey.  This appealing fir has densely crowded dark, glossy green, 1” long needles with notched tips and a whitish band on the undersides. It grows 130’ feet tall and 20’ feet wide.  Needles when bruised excrete an orange peel smell. In cultivation forms a conical spire of tiered limbs sweeping downwards.  The bark is smooth checkered pattern of gray.  The 6” cylindrical cones are green ripening to purple-brown.  This tree needs plenty of space.  This is a great fir for areas with hot summers.

Zones 4-8