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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

Western White Fir Abies concolor

Previously known as:

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

White Fir is a narrow pyramidal evergreen tree with horizontal branches and drooping lower branches. The native range is the western United States to northern Mexico (Baja California to northeastern Sonora, and northern Chihuahua). It prefers moist soil with good drainage. This densely branched tree is a favorite for cover and nesting. Withstands heat and drought better than most firs however, the tree needs to avoid winter salt spray. Used as a Christmas tree it has good needle retention after cutting.

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:
#purple#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#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#Christmas trees#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Blue Cloak', 'Candicans', 'Compacta'
Tags:
#purple#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#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.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 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:
    Medium
    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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    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 Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    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
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Needles are 0.5 to 2 inches long; blue-green when young dull green with age; needles pointed or notched at tip. The needles have a strong 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
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Pollution