Fir Tree Facts, Types, Identification, Diseases, Pictures

Grand Fir

Sudipto Chakrabarti — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 08:43:12 +0000

The grand fir tree is a medium to large fir tree found in North America. It was first described by a Scottish botanist, David Douglas, who has also lent his name to the Douglas fir. Its main adaptation is the fact that it can grow in various kinds of soils.

Grand Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies grandis

Grand Fir Christmas Tree

Grand Fir Tree

Quick Information

Other Names	Giant fir, lowland white fir, great silver fir, Vancouver fir, western white fir, Oregon fir, silver fir, yellow fir, stinking fir, Puget Sound fir, sapin grandissime (French), abeto grande (Spanish)
Identification	Size: Up to 262 ft (80 m) at maturity Trunk Diameter: 6.6 ft (2 m) Leaves (Needles): Flattened, 0.75-2 in (1.9-5 cm) long, topside dark yellow-green with two white bands, notched or rounded apex, arranged spirally, arranged in 2 ranks towards the crown alternating on the twig, perpendicular to the shoot and parallel to each other Fruits (Cones): 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length, barrel-shaped, purplish green to green at maturity Bark: Grayish-green with resin-blisters when young, eventually becomes 2-3 in (5-7.6 cm) thick at maturity, patchy and grayish-brown, flattened ridged wrinkles, purple-red inner bark
Tree Type	Evergreen
Varieties	Coast grand fir (Abies grandis var. grandis) Interior grand fir (Abies grandis var. idahoensis)
Distribution/Range	British Columbia in Canada, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho and California in the USA
Habitat	Moist coniferous forests at altitudes from sea level to 5,906 ft (1,800 m)
Hardiness Zones	5-6
Growth Rate	Slower in shades, aggressive in the open; annual growth is up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) when young
Lifespan	250 years; occasionally over 300 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Tolerant of winter temperatures down to -100°F (-73°C) Summer Conditions: Cool to moderate weathers during the summer Rainfall: 25 in (63.5 cm) per year Soil: Neutral to acidic Light Requirement: Full Sun
Needle Retention	Fragile
Diseases & Pests	Fir engraver beetles, root diseases
Breeding (Reproduction) System	Monoecious
Propagation	By seeds
Seed Dispersal	Scales deciduous as seeds ripen
Seedling Development	Germination is relatively easy
Wildlife Value	Livestock use it as shade; moose, deer, and blue, sharp-tailed and ruffed grouse eat the needles in winter; nuthatches, chickadees, squirrels and other rodents eat the seeds
Uses	As an ornamental tree, Christmas trees; softwood lumber used in making paper, construction of floors and frames; also used as a medicine for treating fevers and colds
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Comparison of Grand Fir with other Fir Species

Grand fir vs. Douglas fir

Needles on the grand fir are dark yellow-green on top whereas Douglas fir needles are green.

Grand fir vs. Balsam fir

Grand fir grows in the Pacific Northwest and California while the Balsam fir inhabits Northeastern United States.

Grand Fir Cone

Grand Fir Bark

Grand fir vs. Fraser fir

Fraser fir needles have a silvery appearance while grand fir needles don’t.

Grand fir vs. Pacific silver fir

Grand fir grows in moist coniferous forest and Pacific silver fir grows in the temperate rainforests.

Silver Fir

Silver Fir Tree

Interesting Facts

In the North American lumberjack circles, the grand fir is also known as the ‘hem fir’, which is an umbrella term coined to refer to the noble fir, California red fir, Pacific silver fir, western hemlock fir and the white fir (Abies concolor).
The scent of the grand fir is citrus like, thus adding to its popularity as a Christmas tree.

Grand Fir Needles

Grand Fir Pictures

References

The post Grand Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Subalpine Fir

Sudipto Chakrabarti — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:07:41 +0000

The Subalpine fir tree is the most widely distributed fir species in North America after the balsam fir. It is also the smallest of the true firs inhabiting the western United States.

Subalpine Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies lasiocarpa

Subalpine Fir Tree

Subalpine Fir Pictures

Quick Information

Other Names	Rocky Mountain Fir, Alpine Fir, White Balsam, Western Balsam Fir, Corkbark Fir, Pino Real Blanco de las Sierras (Spanish)
Size	66-115 ft (20-35 m); some have grown to 164 ft (50 m)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): 1 in (2.54 cm) long, flattened, thick in the middle, whitish blue sheen across all surfaces; rounded tips, some may be notched; arranged spirally, uniformly swept up, manicured appearance Fruits (Cones): 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long, slender, cylindrical, upright on the twigs usually in clusters, deciduous scales; cones purple at maturity Bark: Covered with resin-blisters, grayish green color when young; turns gray to white as it matures, continuous other than the base of larger trees; pockets of resin blisters found throughout the inner bark
Tree Type	Evergreen
Types/Varieties	Coast Range subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) Rocky Mountain subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa var. bifolia) Corkbark Fir (Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica)
Distribution/Range	Coast Range variety found in Pacific Coast Ranges, Olympic Mountains, Cascade Range from Southeast Alaska to California in the south Rocky Mountain variety found from Rocky Mountains in the eastern Alaskan Range to Colorado in the south Corkbark Fir found in New Mexico and Arizona
Habitat	Occurs in high mountains of Western North America, at heights of 980-2950 ft (298-900 m)
Hardiness Zones	5-6
Growth Rate	Slow
Lifespan	Oldest tree found in Wyoming aged 494 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Mean winter temperature is between 5°F and 25°F (-15°C to -3.9°C) Summer Conditions: Mean summer temperature is between 45°F and 60°F (7.2°C to 15.6°C) Rainfall: More than 24 in (61 cm) Soil: Heavy Clayey, moist but not water-logged Light Requirements: Full to partial sun
Diseases & Pests	Western spruce budworm, western balsam bark beetle, silver fir beetle, fir engraver, balsam woolly adelgid; susceptible to wood-rotting fungi like the Indian paint fungus and bleeding conk fungus
Breeding System	Monoecious
Propagation	By seeds
Seed Dispersal	Cones fall off as the seeds ripen
Seedling Development	Germination rate is slow, requiring 6-8 weeks
Wildlife Value	Nesting sites for many animals and birds; needles are eaten by grouse; elks and deer eat the fruits and foliage during winter; squirrels, chipmunks and birds eat the seeds
Cultivars	A dwarf variant named Compacta
Uses	Christmas trees and ornamental trees, for paper manufacture, as firewood; native Americans drank and bathed in subalpine fir boiled water to purify themselves and promote hair growth
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Abies Lasiocarpa

Corkbark Fir

Comparison with some other fir species

Subalpine Fir vs. Douglas Fir

Needles of the Douglas fir are fragrant while subalpine fir needles have no such features.

Subalpine Fir vs. Balsam Fir

Subalpine fir is found across western North America, Balsam fir inhabits eastern North America.

Subalpine Fir Needles

Subalpine Fir Cones

Interesting Facts

The ‘Compacta’ variant of the subalpine fir has been awarded the Royal horticultural Society’s ‘Award of Garden Merit.’
It is one of the slowest growing firs, often growing about 1 ft in height in 15 years.

Rocky Mountain Fir

Subalpine Fir Bark

References

The post Subalpine Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Nordmann Fir

Sudipto Chakrabarti — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:24:23 +0000

The Nordmann fir, named after the Finnish zoologist Alexander von Nordmann, is a large coniferous tree found in certain Caucasian countries. Scientists have observed two distinct subspecies of the tree – the Caucasian fir and the Turkish fir, with their range of distribution culminating in Northern Turkey at about 36°E longitude.

Nordmann Fir

Turkish Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies nordmanniana

Nordmann Fir Tree

Nordmann Fir Seeds

Quick Information

Other Names	Caucasian Fir, Kazazdagi Fir
Size	40-60 ft (12.1-18.2 m); may grow to more than 250 ft (76.2 m)
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Flattened, dark green and shinyon the top and bluish white on the undersides; 0.71-1.38 in (1.8-3.5 cm) long and 0.08 in (2 mm) wide; notched or blunted at the end Fruits (Cones): Upright; 5-6 in (12.7-15.2 cm) long and 2 in (5 cm) wide; notched scales and oblong Bark: Smooth and thin, resin blisters present, eventually breaks into small plates, barks in older trees become wrinkled
Tree Type	Evergreen
Distribution	Georgia, Turkey, North Armenia, Russian Caucasus Mountains, Northwest Azerbaijan
Hardiness Zones	4-7
Growth Rate	Slow
Lifespan	More than 50 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F (4.4°C) Summer Conditions: Prefers humid places Light Conditions: Full sun Rain: Over 40 in (1000 m) Soil Requirements: Moist, well drained, clayey, loamy, and acidic
Diseases/Pests/Problems	Bagworms, woody adelgids, scales, spider mites, and twig aphids
Breeding System	Monoecious
Propagation	By seeds
Seed Production	Each cone has scales with seeds; these scales disintegrate at maturity to release the seeds
Seedling Development	Easy to germinate
Wildlife Value	Provides food and habitat for many bird and animal species
Cultivars	Golden Spreader Pendula Prostrata
Uses	As Christmas trees; ornamental trees in gardens and parks, wood is used to make paper
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Abies Nordmanniana

Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree

Comparison of Nordmann, Noble & Fraser Firs

Nordmann Fir vs. Noble Fir

Foliage of the noble fir is of light blue-green color while the Nordmann fir has dark green foliage.

Nordmann Fir vs. Fraser Fir

Fraser fir has a scent while the Nordmann fir is without any.

Nordmann Fir Christmas Trees

Nordmann Fir Needles

Interesting Facts

The Golden Spreader cultivar variant has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Nordmann Fir and Norway Spruce are two of the most popular choices as Christmas trees in Europe.

Nordmann Fir Saplings

Nordmann Fir Seedlings

References

The post Nordmann Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Balsam Fir

admin — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 07:56:06 +0000

Balsam fir is a species of small to medium-sized North American coniferous trees with a dense, symmetrical pyramidal crown. Known for its spicy fragrance and dark green color, the balsam fir has been commonly used as a Christmas tree over the years.

Balsam Fir Range

Balsam Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies balsamea

Balsam Fir Tree

Balsam Fir Needles

Quick Information

Other Names	Canadian balsam, Bracted balsam fir/Canaan fir , Eastern fir, Sapin balsamier (French)
Size	14-20 m (46-66 ft) tall; trunk diameter of around 2 ft
Identification	Leaves (Needles): Flat with notched tip; dark green above, two white stomatal strips below; 15-30 mm long, spirally arranged on the stem Cones: Erect, 40-80 mm long; male strobili are yellowish brown with a tinge of purple, female strobili are dark purplish Bark: Smooth, gray, with resin blisters when young; turn rough, scaly, and fissured at maturity
Tree Type	Evergreen
Distribution/Range	Alberta, Manitoba, Labrador, Newfoundland Island, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island (in Canada); Wisconsin, Virginia, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, Connecticut (in the US)
Hardiness Zones	3-5
Growth Rate	Slow; annual increase of height is less than 12 in
Lifespan	150-200 years
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Very cold; average winter temperature ranging between -18° C and -12° C Summer Conditions: Pleasant weather with average temperature ranging between 16° C and 18° C Rain: Grows best in areas annual precipitation is from 760-1100 mm Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade Soil Requirements: Cool, well-drained, moist, acidic soil; somewhat tolerant to salty soil
Diseases and Pests	Red heart rot, root and butt rot, brown cubical rots, white stringy rots, and witches’ broom disease; insects such as balsam wooly adelgid and spruce budworm
Flowering/Fruiting	Flower buds open during late May-early June, though flowering can occur early in late April
Breeding System	Monoecious
Seed Production	Regular seed production occurs after 20-30 years
Seedling Development	Germination takes place from late May-early July; seedlings in the open sustain drought and frost heaving damage
Wildlife Value	Mice, voles, squirrels, and grouse feed on the buds and seeds; moose, white-tailed deer, and snowshoe hares use it for cover, shelter, and food; black bears also browse the bark; lepidopteran caterpillars and Io moth feed on the needles
Varieties/Cultivars	Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis Abies balsamea var. balsamea Abies balsamea cv. Nana (Dwarf balsam fir)
Uses	Lumber for crates, paneling, and light-frame construction; wood is used for making pulp; needles are used as the filling for souvenir pillows, and making wreaths, incense sticks, and candles; needle extracts are used for producing essential oil
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Balsam Fir Trees

Balsam Fir Cones

Balsam Fir vs. Fraser Fir

The Balsam fir grows shorter than the Fraser fir, and its bracts are shorter than its cone scales while those on the Fraser fir are longer than the seed scales. Moreover, Balsam firs have longer needles as compared to those of Fraser firs.

Balsam Fir Pictures

Balsam Fir Bark

Interesting Facts

Hudson fir, a cultivar of balsamea, has been granted the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
The Balsam fir resin was once used for treating various health conditions. It was used as an adhesive for optical instruments and glasses, and for mounting specimens under a microscope.
Balsam fir has been officially recognized as the tree emblem of the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Dwarf Balsam Fir

Balsam Fir Christmas Tree

References

The post Balsam Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Korean Fir

Sudipto Chakrabarti — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:34:55 +0000

The Korean fir tree is a small to mid-sized evergreen conifer, found in the mountains of South Korea. It is a beautiful plant with ornamental foliage, revered across the world as a decorative tree for gardens and landscapes.

Korean Fir

Korean Fir Tree

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies koreana

Korean Fir Images

Korean Fir Tree Pictures

Korean Fira Silberlocke

Quick Information

Other Names	Gusang Namu (in Korea)
Size	Height at maturity around 15-30 feet
Leaves	Needle-like, flattened; 1-2 cm long and 2-2.5 mm wide with a thickness of 0.5 mm; glossy dark green topside with two bright and vivid bands of stomata below; slightly notched tips
Cones (Strobili)	4-7 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide; dark purple-blue when young
Tree Type	Evergreen
Shape	Symmetrical with a conical outline
Distribution/Range	Native range is in the mountains of South Korea, including Jeju-do Island at altitudes of 3,280-6230 feet
Hardiness Zones	5-7
Lifespan	Around 30 years
Growth Rate	Slow for the first 5 years, picks up the pace after that
Growing Conditions	Spring Conditions: Fertilizer should be applied in early spring before newly-grown appear Water: High requirement for water except the rainy season Sunlight: Full Sun Soil requirements: Cool, moist, well-drained sandy, loamy or clay soil, with high acidic pH
Pests and Diseases	Needle rust, root rot disease, twig blight, aphids, bagworms, balsam wooly adelgids, bark beetles, scales, spider mites, spruce budworms
Flowering/Fruiting	Flowering period: June, July, and August Fruiting period: March to May
Seed Production	Colorful cones are borne at a very young age; by 5 years of age, cones bear purple/blue color
Seedling Development	Germination happens almost a year after they have been sown into well-drained, sandy compost soil; should be covered to their own depth either with grit or sand; artificial heat is not necessary; germination process is rather slow during spring months
Wildlife Value	This tree has not been known to exhibit any wildlife value
Cultivars	Aurea Horstmann’s Silberlocke
Uses	Makes for an attractive ornamental tree
IUCN Conservation Status	Endangered

Korean Fir Cones

Korean Fir Bonsai

Korean Fir Trees

Interesting facts

The Korean fir has such symmetry that its cones are very geometric, exact and perfectly groomed, not one of its needles look out of place.
The ‘Silberlocke’ and ‘Aurea’ variants are so named because of their silver and golden foliages, respectively.

References

The post Korean Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Fraser Fir

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 10:30:07 +0000

Fraser fir is a coniferous tree found in the southern Appalachians in southeastern America at high altitudes between 3,900 ft to 6,683 ft. This fir species, noted for having a strong turpentine scent, exhibit a well-proportioned appearance with good needle retention ability. It has a conical crown consisting of straight twigs that are sometimes angled slightly upwards. The branches of the young trees are more compact and dense compared to those of the matured Fraser firs.

Fraser Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies fraseri

Fraser Fir Seedlings

Quick Information

Other Names	Frazier fir/Frasier fir, southern balsam fir
Size	Grows up to 10-15 m (30-50 ft); highest, 25 m (80 ft); trunk diameter measures 40-50 cm (16-20 in); broadest 75 cm (30 in)
Leaves	Flattened, needle-like, arranged in a spiral manner on the twigs, have broad circular bases; 10-23 mm long, 2-2.2 mm wide; slightly notched and rounded tip; upper surface is glaucous or dark green while the lower surface has two silvery-white stomatal bands
Cones (Strobili)	Cylindrical, erect; 3.5-7 cm (1.4-2.75 in) long, 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 in) wide; dark purple when young, turn to light brown as they mature; have pale purple, yellow or green bract scales that are usually resinous
Tree Type	Evergreen
Bark	Smooth, narrow; it is gray-brown with many resin blisters when immature, but become scaly and cracked with age
Distribution/Range	Appalachian Mts. in SW Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina in the US
Hardiness Zones	4-7
Growth Rate	Slow to medium; average yearly increase is 8 to 12 inches
Growing Conditions	Winter Conditions: Average winter temperature varies between 28° F and 30° F (-2° C and -1° C) Summer Conditions: Mild summers with temperatures averaging at 60° F (16° C). Fog: Fog cover in summer is crucial, contributing to precipitation and providing a cooling effect Rain: Average annual precipitation of 75-100 inches (1,900-2,540 mm) Sunlight: Full sun as well as partial shade Soil Requirements: Shallow, rocky, extremely acidic soil supported by a layer of sandy subsoil
Diseases and Pests	Older trees are susceptible to heart rots; two-spotted spider mites cause discoloration and loss of needles; the Phytophthora fungus may cause root rot; a significant number of mature trees are killed by the balsam wooly adelgid insects
Flowering/Fruiting	Monoecious, with the female flowers being borne on the top of the crown while the male ones below the females; flower buds open during mid May-early June; cones break up when they are 4-6 months old
Seed production	Begins when the tree is 15 years old; dispersal of seeds takes place between September and mid-October
Seedling development	Epigeal germination; development is good on moss, peat, mineral soil, and litter
Wildlife Value	The red squirrel feeds on the terminal buds and seeds, the white-tailed deer occasionally grazes on its leaves and twigs
Cultivars	Crosses of Abies fraseri and Abies balsamea have been produced successfully; A. fraseri cv. ‘Prostrata’ is used as an ornamental tree
Uses	Offers watershed protection since it binds the shallow soil with the wet mountain slopes; used as a Christmas tree because of its sweet fragrance, green foliage, and beautiful shape; also used for making Christmas wreaths, garlands, candle rings, and centerpieces
IUCN Conservation Status	Endangered

Fraser Fir Tree

Fraser Fir Images

Identification and Comparison with Other Firs

Balsam fir vs. Fraser fir: The curved bracts on Fraser firs are longer than the scales of cones while those on balsam firs are comparatively shorter than their cone scales

Douglas fir vs. Fraser fir: Douglas firs grow well over 200 feet and are much taller than the Fraser firs; the branches and needles of Douglas fir are more closely bunched than those of Fraser fir

Fraser Fir Pictures

Fraser Fir Cones

Interesting Facts

This fir species is named after John Fraser, a Scottish botanist who traveled to the Appalachians during the 18th century, and made several botanical discoveries.
The Fraser fir was earlier referred to as the “she-balsam” because the blisters on its bark produce a milk-like viscous secretion or resin.
A variety of balsam fir called Abies balsamea phanerolepis, found in North and West Virginia, is considered to be a natural hybrid of Abies fraseri (Fraser fir) with Abies balsamea (Balsam fir).

Fraser Fir Christmas Trees

Fraser Fir Needles

References:

The post Fraser Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Noble Fir

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 10:31:43 +0000

Noble fir, known for its beautiful symmetrical appearance, is a tall conifer species found in the Pacific coastal ranges of North America at an altitude of 910-1,680 m (3,000-5,500 ft). It has long and pointy leaves that turn upward, revealing the branches below. When young, the tree has smooth, gray bark with resin blisters; but at maturity, it becomes reddish-brown, with a rough, fissured texture.

Noble Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies procera

Noble Fir Cones

Quick Information

Other Names	Red Fir, Christmas tree
Closely related to	Abies magnifica (California red fir), Abies magnifica var. shastensis (Shasta fir)
Size	Large trees that stand at a height of 40-70 meters (130-230 feet), occasionally reaching up to 90 meters (295 feet); straight trunk with an average diameter of 2 meters (6.5 feet)
Leaves (Needles)	Flattened, linear, 1-3.5 cm long, blue-green color on all surfaces, strong stomatal bands, curved base; tips are rounded but pointy on the branches bearing cone; spiral arrangement but upswept above the shoot
Cones (Strobili)	Erect, 4.3-8.7 inches long; the male cones are purple or reddish, borne below the leaves; the female cones are borne at the top of the crown and have purple scales hidden by the yellowish-green bract scales
Tree Type	Evergreen
Branches	Diverge from the bark at right angles, stiff and reddish brown boughs; there is some spacing between the branches of a noble fir, giving the tree a less dense appearance than Douglas fir (another popular species of Christmas tree)
Shape	Young trees have a conical crown while matured noble firs have a short, rounded apex
Distribution/Range	Foothills of mountains as well as high mountain sides of Cascade and Coast Range of northwest California, western Washington, and Oregon in the US; Canadian Life Zone and lower Transition Zone of Canada
Hardiness Zones	5-6
Lifespan	250-300 years in average, while few may survive for more than 400 years
Growth Rate	Slow to medium; average annual increase in height is 12-24 inches
Growing Conditions	Humidity: Low; development of cones as well as shedding of pollen is sensitive to changes in humidity Temperature: Grows well in cold climates with snowy winters. Can grow in regions with short summers. Rain: Annual precipitation between 1,750mm and 2,600mm Sunlight: Partial shade and exposure to direct sunlight Soil Requirements: Cool, moist, deep, well-drained, and acidic soil; also found on thin and rocky soils with sufficient moisture
Diseases and Pests	Phytophthora root rot, stem canker, interior needle blight, CSNN (current season needle necrosis) are the common diseases affecting noble fir; branch distortion and needle discoloration are caused by spruce spider mite, balsam wooly adelgid, and balsam twig aphid
Flowering/Fruiting	Buds burst during early May to early June; pollen cone shedding occurs in June-July; seed dispersal starts during late September-early October
Seed production	Cones are borne at twenty years of age, but commercial seed bearing starts at 50 years
Seedling development	Germination takes place in the growing season following seed dispersal; initial development is slow, and it takes 3-5 years to attain a height of 1 ft
Wildlife Value	Birds such as jays, nuthatches, and chickadees, as well as rodents including mice and Douglas squirrels, feed on the noble fir seeds; black bears eat the sapwood by stripping the bark; it provides forest cover and protects the wildlife from cold
Cultivars	A. procera cv. ‘Glauca,’ A. procera cv. ‘Prostrata,’ and A. procera cv. ‘Robustifolia’
Uses	Makes a great Christmas tree since it is attractive and highly keepable; used for making garland, wreaths, and door swags; being lightweight and moderately strong, it is used as plywood, pulpwood, and construction lumber
Identification of wood	The noble fir wood has uniform straight grain with the springwood or earlywood being creamy white or lightbrown and the summerwood or latewood being slightly lavender or reddish brown
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Noble Fir Pictures

Noble Fir Tree

Interesting Facts

The artificial crossing of noble fir with several other fir species, including California red fir, has yielded viable seeds.
It is believed that the de Havilland Mosquito bombers, which served during Second World War, were constructed with noble fir wood.

Noble Fir Christmas Tree

Noble Fir Needles

References

The post Noble Fir appeared first on Coniferous Forest.

Concolor Fir (White Fir)

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:33:53 +0000

The concolor fir is a species of coniferous trees found in the western parts of North America at an altitude of 3,000-11,200 ft (900-3,400 m). Its small, needle-like leaves occurring in rows are usually flat and are without stalks. The leaves at the apex are curvier and thicker than the leaves below.

The young trees have smooth, gray, thin barks with conspicuous resin-bearing pockets. However, as they grow old, the trunks become thick, light gray or reddish-brown in color, and have deep furrows with flattened ridges.

Concolor Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Pinophyta
Class	Pinopsida
Order	Pinales
Family	Pinaceae
Genus	Abies
Scientific Name	Abies concolor

Concolor Fir Tree

Subspecies

Abies concolor concolor (Rocky Mountains white fir or Colorado white fir)
Abies concolor lowiana (Sierra Nevada white fir or Low’s white fir)

Quick Information

Other Names	White Fir
Closely related to	Mexican fir, Durango fir, grand fir
Size	Medium to large trees with a height of 60-200 ft (18-61 m) and a trunk diameter measuring about 6.6 ft (2 m)
Leaves (Needles)	2-3 inches long, 2 mm wide, 0.5-1 mm thick; silvery-blue/silvery-green in color
Cones (Strobili)	6-12 cm long, 4-4.5 cm wide; olive green when young but turn into purple and finally pale brown with age; have short scale bracts with around 100-150 scales
Tree Type	Evergreen
Shape at Maturity	Pyramidal with the lower branches having a drooping appearance
Distribution/Range	*Subsp. concolor:* Rocky Mountains, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Great Basin, and southeastern California in the US as well as northern Sonora in Mexico *Subsp. lowiana:* Cascades, Oregon, Sierra Nevada, and Klamath Mountains in the US; northern Baja California in Mexico
Hardiness Zones	3-7
Lifespan	In the landscape it has a life expectancy of 50 years while in the forest it can survive up to 300 years
Growth Rate	Slow to medium; its height usually increases by 1-2 feet every year but sometimes it can be slower than the normal growth rate
Growing Conditions	Humidity: Moderate to high humidity Winter Conditions: Long winters, moderate/heavy snowfall needed. Can survive in temperatures as low as -40°C. Rain: Annual precipitation of 35-75 inches Sunlight: Direct sunlight (for at least 4 hours) as well as partial shade Soil Requirements: Well-drained moist, sandy, acidic, and loamy soils; moderately resistant to heat and drought
Pests and Diseases	Concolor firs are susceptible to needle rusts, heart rot fungi and attacks from pests like bark beetles, Douglas-fir tussock moth, and spruce budworm; affected by the parasitic plant mistletoe and pollutants like sulfur dioxide
Flowering Time	May-June
Dispersal of Seeds	September-October
Seeds borne at	40 years of age
Seed Bearing Frequency	Every 2-4 years
Wildlife Value	These are good roosting places for game birds, which sometimes feed on the needles and buds of the white fir; rodents, squirrels, crossbills, chickadees, and nutcrackers are often seen eating the seeds; the seedlings, needles, and buds are also eaten by deer
Landscape cultivars	Blue Cloak, Candicans, Compacta, Gable’s Weeping, Winter Gold, Conica
Uses	Light in weight and easy to work with, the timber is used for boxes, crates, sashes, doors, pulpwood, general mill products, millwork Delightful orange-like scent makes it a popular decorative or specimen tree Makes a great Christmas tree for its strong branches that retain their shape
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Concolor Fir Pictures

Concolor Fir Tree Pictures

Interesting Facts

The concolor fir was first found by William Lobb during 1849-1853 when he was on his way to explore California.
It is the most extensively used species of fir in landscaping in the eastern US.
The concolor firs have a shallow and widespread root system, which makes them vulnerable to “windthrow”. Therefore, buffer strips (strips of permanent vegetation) are left against the wind through careful selective cuttings to reduce erosion.

Concolor Fir Needles

Concolor Fir Tree Pictures

References

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