Plant DetailShow Menu

Abies cephalonica is often confused with:
Abies nordmanniana Form
Native alternative(s) for Abies cephalonica:
Abies fraseri Abies fraseri tree
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa Cupressus macrocarpa
Thuja 'Green Giant' Form
x Hesperotropsis leylandii × Cupressocyparis leylandii
Abies cephalonica has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Greek Fir Abies cephalonica

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AY-bees sef-ah-LON-ih-kuh
Description

Greek fir is an evergreen conifer in the pine family (Pinaceae) that is native to the mountains of Greece. Genus name comes for Greek meaning long-lived. Specific epitaph derives from the Greek Cephallenia and refers to the largest of the Ionian islands.

This medium to large-sized tree reaches a height of 80 to 110 feet and 15-30 feet wide with a pyramidal form. It prefers fertile slightly acidic moist soil in full sun. It has good drought and disease resistance.

The spirally arranged needles have two white-blue stoma bands on the undersides and the seed cones are large up to 8 inches.

This large tree requires large spaces as a park or campus. Dwarf varieties are available. Can be used as a wind break or for screening and privacy.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See potential insects for conifers fact sheet to the left

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Meyer's Dwarf'
    Dwarf cultivar
  • 'Mint Tip'
    Dwarf
'Meyer's Dwarf', 'Mint Tip'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#conifer#windbreak#pest resistant#needled evergreen#large spaces#screening#parks#evergreen tree#Christmas trees
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Meyer's Dwarf'
    Dwarf cultivar
  • 'Mint Tip'
    Dwarf
'Meyer's Dwarf', 'Mint Tip'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#conifer#windbreak#pest resistant#needled evergreen#large spaces#screening#parks#evergreen tree#Christmas trees
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abies
    Species:
    cephalonica
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Young trees are used as Christmas trees. Wood was used as lumber in the past, but it has now become too rare.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Albania to Greece
    Dimensions:
    Height: 80 ft. 0 in. - 110 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Seed cones are 4 to 8 inches long and 1.5 inches wide, with around 200 scales, each scale bearing two seeds that are winged. Cones disintegrate at maturity, releasing the seeds. Pollen cones ovoid and 0.5 inch long
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Needle-like, flattened, 0.5 to 1 inch long by 0.1 inch wide, glossy, dark green above, two white-blue longitudinal bands of stomata underneath. Tips are usually pointed, sometimes blunt. Needles are spirally arranged.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Smooth
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Oval
    Bark Description:
    Gray-brown and smooth when young, fissured with oblong plates as it ages. Trunk diameter can reach three feet.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Scaly
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Bright brown or red-brown, smooth. Buds conical or ovoid, resinous, scales visible at the apex
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Recreational Play Area
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Insect Pests