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Woody > Abies > Abies firma > Abies firma

Abies firma





Family
Pinaceae
Genus
Abies
Species
firma
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
6a - 9b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
5a - 6a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H5 - H7
Temperature (°C)
(-23.2) - (-17.8)
Temperature (°F)
(-10) - 0
Height
12 - 50 m
Spread
9 - 12 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
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.
Landscape
Winter interest, woodlands, privacy screen, accent, shade, specimen, and aromatic properties.
Cultivation
Plant in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils in full sun.
Shape
Broadly pyramidal.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
Comb like needles with medium to large upright cones.
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.
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.
Propagation
Sow seeds in late winter or in spring outdoors. Germination takes approximately 6-8 weeks.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The wood from this tree is harvested to construct coffins in Japan. In Japanese culture, the wood's uniformity and bright colour are appealing. Additionally, A. firma is used in Bonsai practices and as Christmas trees in North America.
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