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. balsamea – Balsam Fir – Dwarf Balsam Fir – Extensively grown in the USA and Canada for paper pulp as well for its fragrant resign. Grows in a conical shape up to 50 feet tall and 15 feet wide.  It has sleek gray bark.  The needles are dark green with a whitish underside about an inch long.  The cones are 3 inches long and cylindrical in shape, and are purplish blue in color.  There are several popular dwarf cultivars like ‘Globosa’, ‘Hudsonia’, and ‘Nana’

Zones 3-8