Fir, silver   /   Abies alba

botanical gardens Massey - Tarbes

Area of origin: Mountains of Central and Southern Europe, the Pyrenees and the Alps, as far as the Balkans. It occurs at altitudes of 300-1,700 m (328-1850yds)  (mainly over 500 m), on mountains with a rainfall of over 1,000 mm.
Adult Dimensions: Height up to 50 m (164'), width up to 15 m (49.2').
Foliage: Evergreen.
Soil Type: Light, rich and moist.  Dislikes lime.
Hardiness: Requires an ambient humidity.  Cannot tolerate very dry climates.  Sensitive to spring frosts. Hardy tolerant to -28°C.
Exposure: Full sun.





Characteristics and Uses: This tree has symbolised Christmas for 300 years. It has a long clear bole surmounted by a pyramidal crown that becomes flat-topped with age. The wood is tender and light, yellow white is easy to work.  It is used for carpentry, cabinet making and paper-making. The silver fir appears to have a silvery colour when seen from bellow.

List of Fir Trees:
Korean Fir (Abies koreana), green, with purple cones, dislikes chalky soil
Nordmann Fir (abies nordmanniana), shiny green
Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo), green/blue-grey foliage, dislikes chalky soil