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Abies Alba

Abies Alba

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Plantae
Order
Pinales
Family
Pinaceae - conifers
Genus
Abies
Species
ABIES ALBA
Synonyms
European silver fir, silver fir

Habitat / Home / Areal

Central Europe and parts of Southern and Eastern Europe.

Botanical description

Habitus: Common fir is an evergreen tree. The tree can grow up to 60 meters. The crown is initially wide-pyramidal, but in old age the top becomes flat. The diameter of the trunk can be up to 2.5 meters. When young, the bark is smooth and light gray, later it darkens and is extremely cracked, while the inner part of the bark is reddish with potential resin flows. The root is deep and well developed (strong lateral roots). The branches are located horizontally in whorls. Young twigs are abundantly covered with grey-brown hairs. 

Flower: monoecious (male and female flowers grow on the same plant). They grow on the upper branches and bloom from April to June. Male flowers are yellowish to yellow-brown, spherical or cylindrical. The female flowers are pale green, oblong-cylindrical, 2-10 cm long, erect, on a short stem, they have several seed scales with two seeded embryos at the base. Ripe cones are dark brown, 10-30 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, mature in September and October of the same year, and then fall apart on the branch. The seed is winged, reddish brown, triangular and flat, 7-13 mm long.

Leaf: The needles are comb-like arranged in two rows, 15-30 mm long and about 2-3 mm wide. They are soft, leathery to the touch, flat and dull, dark green on the upper side, while two white stripes are visible on the lower side (they can remain on the branches for up to 8 years). 

Growth conditions / Cultivation / Care

It grows on silicate and limestone substrates. It likes moderate temperatures and high air humidity, and deep and moist soils with rich humus. It tolerates shade well. It is very sensitive to urban air, water and soil pollution. It does not tolerate frost and droughts well, although it is very common, it is considered an endangered species.

Use / Function and landscape

  • Solitary planting
  • Planting in groups
  • Branches with leaves for cutting (for arranging)
  • Fruity cone shells for arranging
  • Christmas decoration

Special use

Fir needles are harvested in winter and early spring, and they can be used to make tea or make a syrup that helps with respiratory problems. The needles are highly valued as a Christmas tree – an indoor decoration (the needles remain on the branches for a long time after cutting). The interior of the fir bark can be ground and used as an additive to the flour from which bread is made.

Reproduction

The plant is propagated by seeds and vegetatively by cuttings. Common fir reproduces independently in nature, by dropping cones from which seeds fall.

Varieties

Abies alba Pyramidalis
Abies alba Pendula

Diseases and pests

Diseases: needle rust and drying of the crown (characteristic of old plants, caused by a fungus).

Pests: fir needle moth and fir bark beetle.