Abies

( AE - beez )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Firs, the species in this genus take the form of evergreen trees, shrubs, and groundcovers that need full sun or light shade and moderate to regular water to perform well. Most species are tall and symmetrical trees with uniformly spaced branches. Large cones sit atop branches and contain seeds that will attract birds to the landscape. Evergreen leaves are needle-like and green to blue-green. Grow these trees as privacy screening, shade trees, or simply as background evergreen foliage. Compact varieties make great shrubs and groundcovers.

Abies Species and Varietals

The Abies genus belongs to the Pine, or Pinaceae, family of plants, and includes between 48 and 56 extant species. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for 'to rise', and species are closely related to Cedars. The best growing zones for Fir trees vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir, Cascade Fir)
These trees are native to southern Alaska down through the Coast Mountain Ranges in Washington and Oregon. They grow best when cultivated in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8 (Sunset zones 2b-7 and 15-17). Trees top out around 20-50 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide in suburban gardens, but be much taller in wildlands. Needles are dark green on top, silver underneath, and curve upward. 'Spreading Star' is a dwarf form that reaches just 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide with a spreading habit.

Abies balsamea (Balsam Fir, Balm of Gilead)
This species of Fir grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-6 (Sunset zones A3, 1-7 and 15-17). Balsam Firs are native to eastern North American mountain ranges. Cultivar 'Nana' is a dwarf type, reaching just 2-3 feet tall and wide; it is perfect for rock gardens.

Abies bracteata (Abies venusta) (Santa Lucia Fir, Bristlecone Fir)
This species of Fir grows best in Sunset zones 6-9 and 14-21 or USDA growing zones 7-10. Native to California's Santa Lucia Mountains, Bristlecone Firs reach 70 feet tall in about 50 years. Lower branches are spreading and the crown is slender. Needles are sharp and dark green on top with white lines underneath. Cones are four inches tall and have pointed scales. This species tolerates heat and arid conditions relatively well.

Abies concolor (White Fir)
Native to mountains in southern Oregon and California and the Rocky Mountains of Baja California. This is a popular fir and is commonly grown in urban gardens. Trees reach 80-120 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide in their native habitat. In gardens, however, they will top out around 30 feet tall in 30 years. Needles are blue-green. Variety 'Candicans' is the bluest of all Firs. Best when grown in zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-24 (USDA zones 3-8).

Abies grandis (Lowland Fir, Grand Fir)
This species of Fir grows best in zones 1-9 and 14-17 (USDA zones 5-8). They are native from British Columbia to Montana and down to northern California. Fast growing to 300 feet tall (200 feet tall and 12-15 feet wide in gardens). Fragrant, deep green needles are white-lined underneath and grow in two rows along branches. Varietal 'Johnsonii' is ideal for gardens, only reaching 65 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

Abies koreana (Korean Fir)
Grows best in USDA growing zones 3-8 (Sunset zones 3b-9 and 14-24). This species is native to Korea and is a slow grower, seldom rising above 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide when mature. Green needles are short, and cones are blue-purple. Varieties include 'Aurea' (with gold-green foliage on a smaller, slower-growing tree) and 'Silberlocke' (With silver-white needle undersides).

Abies lasiocarpa (Alpine Fir, Rocky Mountain Fir, Subalpine Fir)
Alpine Firs perform best in USDA growing zones 4-8 (Sunset zones A2, A3, 1-9 and 14-17). Native to Alaska, Washington, Oregon and throughout the Rocky Mountains, this species of Fir forms a narrow, steeple-shaped tree to 60-90 feet tall and 10 feet wide. In gardens, it is typically shorter but wider. Needles are bluish green. Cultivar 'Duflon' is compact, reaching just 1 foot tall and wide at maturity.

Abies nordmanniana (Caucasian Fir, Nordmann Fir)
Native to the Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Greece, this species has dense foliage and reaches 30-50 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Needles are dark green and shiny with white bands underneath. These trees need regular water to do well. Varietal 'Golden Spreader' grows slowly to 3-5 feet tall and 5 feet wide with bright golden yellow foliage, and does best in partial shade. Nordmann Firs grow best in Sunset zones 1-11 and 14-24 (USDA zones 4-6).

Abies procera (Abies nobilis) (Noble Fir, Red Fir)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6 or Sunset zones 2-6 and 15-17. It is native to the Siskiyou Mountains in California and northern mountain ranges in Oregon and Washington. In its natural habitat it gets to 90-200 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide and can get almost as large in gardens. Branches are short and needles are blue-green. Cones reach up to 10 inches long.

Caring for Abies

Most species are native to North America and prefer to grow in high-altitude mountainous areas. In hot, dry, windy areas they tend to grow very slowly; it is best to pick a different evergreen tree for these locations. Firs are best planted in fall, and are relatively slow-growing; they take between 10 and 50 years to reach their mature height. Choose a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. They can take partial shade, as well, especially when they are young, but will grow at a faster rate the more sun they receive. If planting multiple trees in a stand, make sure to space them far enough apart to allow for root and canopy growth; at least 10 to 25 feet is recommended in most cases for full-grown trees. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 7.5 (acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and increase soil moisture retention.

Young trees should be watered regularly until root systems are established; provide with deep waterings to encourage deeper root systems. Do not allow water to pool near the bottoms of the tree, as this can lead to health issues like root rot. At maturity, Abies trees are considered to be relatively drought-tolerant, with supplemental irrigation needed only during extended dry or hot spells. As a general rule of thumb, deep water trees once or twice a month in months without much rainfall. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Only prune to remove dead or damaged branches or foliage. Otherwise, allow the tree to keep its natural shape. If pruned, branches do not push out new growth; keep this in mind when making your cuts.

Propagation

Abies can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if it is a hybrid variety tree. Having said this, propagating Fir from cutting is a very difficult process, best left to the professionals, who use grafting techniques to successfully grow new Fir trees. To propagate your Fir, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Abies by Seed

Keep in mind that the Abies tree you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant, and that it will take up to two years to grow a tree that is ready for transplanting into the landscape. To propagate by seed, you will need a dish, a bowl, peat moss, a sealable container, potting soil, compost or other organic material, small and large pots (for potting it up as it grows), and vermiculite.
Harvest your seeds. In fall, cones should be ready to be picked off the tree. Find some larger cones and remove them from the tree, placing them in a dish (a Pyrex glass tray works well for this). As the cones dry out, they will begin to drop their seeds, which will fall to the bottom of the dish.
Collect your seeds and soak them overnight in water in a bowl. The next day, fill a sealable container with peat moss, add some water, and drop your seeds in. Place the container in the refrigerator for between one and four months.
Water a pot filled with a mixture of peat moss and vermiculite, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the surface. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light that stays between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Keep the growing medium moist until the seeds begin to sprout. Germination up to two months from sowing.
Once the seedlings have sprouted, wait a few more weeks until they put out some true needles. Then, transplant them to their own larger individual pots filled with a mixture of garden soil and compost. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot. Place the pot in a sunny location, keep the soil moist, and feed twice a month with a diluted organic balanced fertilizer.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, and continue feeding until the plant reaches a height of about 2 feet. Repot as necessary to allow room for healthy root system development. It may take up to two years to reach this stage. Then, plant your propagated Abies in your landscape, and enjoy watching it grow.