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 veitchii – Veitch’s Silver Fir – Veitch Fir – Native to Japan brought into cultivation by John Gould Veitch an English horticulturalist in the 1860’s.  This fast grower can be 70’ feet tall with a spread of 20’ feet.  The needles are 1” inch long smooth dark green curling up to reveal their blue white undersides.  The 2-inch cones are bluish purple ripening to brown.  Popular in gardens but short lived.

‘Abies veithchii var. sikokiana’ has smaller needles.

Zones 6-9