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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Abies concolor Form in Idaho
Picea sitchensis
Tsuga heterophylla Form
Abies procera has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers

Red Fir Abies procera

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Red Fir:

Phonetic Spelling
AY-beez PRO-ker-uh
Description

Noble fir is an evergreen conifer in the Pinaceae (pine) family. It is native to the Cascade Range and Coastal Range mountains of extreme northwest California, western Oregon and Washington state from 3,000 to 5,000 feet. The genus name is old Latin for tree. The specific epithet  means “tall.” 

The tree will grow 50 to 100 feet tall or taller with a pyramidal to narrow form. In the wild it can reach 230 feet tall. This tree does well in windy and sunny conditions in well-drained moist loamy soils. It is best grown within its native range of the Pacific Northwest.

It has upswept branches with blue-green needles having pale longitudinal stripes on both surfaces. The large cones have purple scales and are held upright.

Noble fir is used as a Christmas tree and its root system makes it wind-tolerant. In its native range, it can be used as a specimen, for privacy and as a windbreak.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major losses from pests. Noble fir bark beetle (Pseudohylesinus nobilis) is often associated with root-diseased trees and can kill the tree. Dwarf mistletoe may be a problem requiring management action in some areas

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Glauca'
    Blue cones
'Glauca'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#conifer#wind tolerant#blue-green leaves#showy cones#evergreen tree#Christmas trees#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Glauca'
    Blue cones
'Glauca'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#conifer#wind tolerant#blue-green leaves#showy cones#evergreen tree#Christmas trees#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Abies
    Species:
    procera
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood has been used to build airplanes. It is used in papermaking and construction
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Western U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    CA, OR, WA
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides cover and thermal protection for wildlife. Mammals eat the twigs and cones.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 100 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The cones are 4-8 inches, erect on the stem with purple scales that are nearly hidden by the green bract scales. Ripens to brown and disintegrates to release winged seeds in the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The needles are up to 1 inch long, glaucous blue-green above and below with longitudinal stripes, and a blunt to notched tip. They are arranged spirally on the shoot and slightly twisted to be curved above the shoot. The attachment is J-shaped.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Bark Description:
    Young trees have smooth gray bark with resin blisters that becomes red-brown, rough and fissured as the tree ages,
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Bud Terminal:
    Cluster of terminal buds
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The twigs are reddish-brown with fine pubescent for several years. Covered with round, flat leaf scars when needles fall; buds small, rounded, brown and mostly non-resinous. End buds in clusters of three or more.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds