General Description | A medium to large-sized evergreen tree that can reach mature heights of 50 m. Abies firma holds a crown of straight branches that tilt upwards at approximately 20 degrees. |
ID Characteristic | Comb like needles with medium to large upright cones. |
Shape | Broadly pyramidal. |
Landscape | Winter interest, woodlands, privacy screen, accent, shade, specimen, and aromatic properties. |
Propagation | Sow seeds in late winter or in spring outdoors. Germination takes approximately 6-8 weeks. |
Cultivation | Plant in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun. |
Pests | This species is reportedly immune to balsam woolly adelgid and resistant to root rot. However, there is potential for bark beetle or spruce budworm. |
Habitat | Full sun, well-drained soils, neutral pH in a coastal region.
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Bark/Stem Description | The bark is brown with a scale texture. On young bark, there will be resin blisters. With age, the bark becomes more furrowed and corky. |
Leaf Description | A. firma has approximately 5 to 6 cm long lush green needles. Needles are strongly two-ranked, appearing like a double-sided comb and are deeply notched. |
Fruit Description | A. firma flowers from April to May; the fruit first appears almost neon green, turning from yellow to green to grey, and eventually turning brown with maturity. Fruit is an oblong shape, approximately 7 to 16 cm in length. |
Colour Description | A. firma has lush green needles and greyish-brown bark. |
Texture Description | Mature specimen bark is scaly and fissured, while young specimens bear smoother bark accompanied by resin blisters. |