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Abies concolor is often confused with:
Abies concolor 'Compacta' Compact white form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cedrus atlantica Cedrus atlantica bark
Cedrus deodara Cedrus deodara
Tsuga heterophylla Form
Abies concolor has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Colorado Fir Abies concolor

Previously known as:

  • Abies lowiana
  • Picea concolor
Phonetic Spelling
AY-bees KON-kol-or
Description

White Fir is conifer tree in the pine family (Pinaceae) that is slow-growing and long-lived. The native range is the western United States in the Sierra Nevada and southern Rocky Mountains and south to the mountains of Nevada, New Mexico and Mexico It is found in elevations of 3,000 and 11,200 feet.

White fir has a narrow dense pyramidal shape with horizontal branches and drooping lower branches. In the wild, it can grow 130 to 150 feet tall but in cultivation usually reaches 30-70 feet tall and 15- 30 feet wide. It prefers moist fertile soil with good drainage in full sun to partial shade. Avoid heavy clay and wet spots, It withstands heat and drought better than most firs. 

The white fir has a good Christmas tree shape when young and good needle retention after cutting. It can be used as a specimen, for privacy and screening or for shade. It is not suited to the southeastern United States.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It breaks buds early in the spring that can be susceptible to frost damage. See potential insect problems for conifers fact sheet to the left

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Blue Cloak', 'Candicans', 'Compacta'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#needles#large tree#blue needles#conifer#fragrant leaves#cover plant#blue-green leaves#pryamidal#showy cones#nesting sites#purple fruits#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#Christmas trees#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Blue Cloak', 'Candicans', 'Compacta'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#needles#large tree#blue needles#conifer#fragrant leaves#cover plant#blue-green leaves#pryamidal#showy cones#nesting sites#purple fruits#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#Christmas trees#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abies
    Species:
    concolor
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western North America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds find cover and nesting sites in the branches.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Cones are cylindrical, 5 inches long, green or brown with a purple bloom (wax) when young, brown and glossy at maturity. The cones break apart and release winged seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Needles are 0.5 to 2 inches long; blue-green when young dull green with age and may have a bloom on the underside; needles pointed or notched at the tip. The needles have a slight citrus fragrance.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Orange
    Surface/Attachment:
    Furrowed
    Ridges
    Smooth
    Bark Plate Shape:
    Irregular
    Bark Description:
    When the tree is younger, the bark can nearly look smooth (which is quite different to when it is older with many irregular plates). When young, the bark can look light gray to light brown with hints of orange underneath.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Branches are arranged in whorls of 4 or 5 with repeat branching to form flat, horizontal sprays. Buds are blunt and resinous
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Pollution