Abies concolor Seeds | White Fir
LATIN NAME: Abies concolor
COMMON NAME: White Fir, Concolor Fir
Plant Profile
White Fir (Abies concolor) is a stately evergreen conifer of the pine family (Pinaceae), native to the mountains of the western United States and Mexico. It reaches 25-60 m, with soft, blue-grey needles in upswept rows and upright, green-to-purple cones. Drought-tolerant and long-lived, it is an important timber tree and one of the most planted ornamental firs of the American West.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Abies concolor ranges from the botany of the Abies group to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Because concolor fir tolerates a wider range of soil pH, heat and drought than most firs, it has become a favourite subject in tree-breeding programmes aimed at producing conifers suited to warmer, less predictable climates. Interest from collectors and breeders has never lapsed, and good seed continues to circulate.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value White Fir for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Soft blue-green needles and pleasant fragrance make white fir one of the most popular Christmas tree species in North America, and it is planted widely as an ornamental specimen tree for the same reasons. Its timber is milled for general construction and pulpwood, and in wild it forms mixed-conifer forests that provide cover and forage for deer, small mammals and a range of forest birds. Its tolerance of drier soils also makes it a practical choice for reforestation on sites too dry for many other conifers. Once settled, it thrives on neglect more than on fussing.
True firs give aromatic oleoresins: Siberian and balsam fir needle oils are classic respiratory aromatherapy materials for steam inhalation, and fir bud syrups are a traditional European cough comfort. The timber frames buildings and the needles once saved sailors from scurvy.
Growing from Seed
White Fir grows readily from seed. Cold, moist stratification before sowing brings seedlings up more evenly, after which a loose, well-drained potting mix suits this adaptable species well. White fir seedlings appreciate bright light and tolerate more sun exposure earlier than many relatives, reflecting its naturally wide climate tolerance. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Grow the youngsters on steadily in pots until well rooted, then move them to their final positions.
Our Take
Among the Abies group, it is one of the more distinctive species in cultivation. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
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