Woody > Abies > Abies concolor > Abies concolor
Abies concolor
White or Silver Fir
Origin: The American west: Colorado, California and as far south as Mexico.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Another class plant that is not planted as frequently as it should be. Although not tolerant of the wide exposure of conditions that Blue Spruce is, it is a good substitute in protected locations. Plants pictured here are at the University of Western Ontario or Rayner Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Abies |
| Species |
| concolor |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2 - 5a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -29 - (-23) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -20 - (-10) |
| Height |
| 20 m |
| Spread |
| 5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A broadly pyramidal tree, equal in stature to the more commonly planted Blue Spruce. |
| Landscape |
| A large plant that should be given room to showcase its form, it can be used in most landscapes where ordinary spruce would be used. |
| Cultivation |
| As easily cultivated plant if given good soils and adequate moisture during summer droughts. The pictured specimens receive no care but are planted in good, but light soils. |
| Shape |
| Broadly pyramidal. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| Coarse, blue tinged, flat needles, arranged around the upper portion of the branches. |
| Pests |
| None that I have observed, although poor cultural conditions can have an impact on its vigour. |
| Habitat |
| Mountain slopes of the American Rockies. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth grey when young, flat fissured when older. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Light brown, blunt tipped buds often resinous. |
| Leaf Description |
| Coarse, blue tinged, flat needles, arranged around the upper portion of the branches. |
| Flower Description |
| A purple red colour and very, very visible. |
| Fruit Description |
| Quite unique, but seldom seen in Ontario. Held upright on the tops of the branches they gradually disintegrate to release their seeds. Immature cones are a dull blue. |
| Colour Description |
| The blue colour can be variable depending on propagation method: seed or clonal selection. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium textured, although softer looking than Blue Spruce. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The University of Western Ontario and Rayner Gardens, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| From seed, 5°C at thirty days in a moist medium. For selections: grafted scions should be used on A. concolor seedling rootstock. |
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