Abies concolor aka Colorado Fir

Taxonomy

Genus Abies Family Pinaceae Order Pinales Class Pinopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Abies concolor, also known as the white fir, is a coniferous tree in the pine family Pinaceae. Native to the mountains of western North America, including the Cascade Range and southern Rocky Mountains, this tree can also be found in isolated mountain ranges in southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. It thrives at elevations between 900–3,400 meters (3,000–11,200 ft). The white fir is highly valued as both an ornamental landscaping tree and as a Christmas tree. It is a low-growing, spreading conifer that reaches a height of 30 cm in 10 years. Its needles are gray-blue, and it produces large, decorative cones that start off pale violet and ripen to brown. There is a subspecies called Abies concolor subsp. concolor, also known as the Colorado white fir or Rocky Mountains white fir. This subspecies is found at altitudes of 1,700–3,400 meters (5,600–11,200 ft) in the Rocky Mountains, from southern Idaho to New Mexico and Arizona. It can also be found in the higher Great Basin mountains of Nevada, extreme southeastern California, and northern Sonora, Mexico. The Colorado white fir is smaller than the white fir, reaching heights of 25–35 meters (80–115 ft) and rarely exceeding 45 meters (150 ft). Its foliage is strongly upcurved to erect, and its leaves are mostly 3.5–6 cm (1 3⁄8–2 3⁄8 in) long and strongly glaucous on the upper side. It can tolerate extremely cold winter temperatures, down to about -40 °C (-40 °F). In the central Sierra Nevada of California, the white fir grows to its largest size, with the tallest recorded specimen reaching a height of 74.9 meters (246 ft) and a diameter of 4.6 meters (183 in) at breast height. Typically, white firs range from 25–60 meters (80–195 ft) tall and up to 2.7 meters (8.9 ft) in diameter at breast height. The largest specimens are found in the central Sierra Nevada, while the Rocky Mountain white fir rarely exceeds 38 meters (125 ft) in height or 0.9 meters (3 ft) in diameter at breast height. The leaves of the white fir are needle-like, flattened, and green to glaucous blue-green above, with two glaucous blue-white bands of stomatal bloom below. The cones are 6–12 cm (2 1⁄4–4 3⁄4 in) long and 4–4.5 cm (1 5⁄8–1 3⁄4 in) broad, initially green or purple and ripening to pale brown. The cones disintegrate at maturity, releasing winged seeds about 6 months after pollination.

Common names

Colorado Fir, Colorado White Fir, White Fir

How to care for Colorado Fir

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Colorado Fir due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Colorado Fir should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Colorado Fir requires special care to keep it thriving. Its sensitivity to dry soil means that you need to be especially careful when it comes to selecting the right potting soil. Look for a soil that will retain moisture, but is also well-draining. A good potting soil should have plenty of organic material, such as coco coir or sphagnum moss, which will help to keep the soil moist and provide extra nutrition for your plant. When planting your White Fir, make sure to mix the soil with some compost or manure to give it an extra boost of nutrients. Additionally, you should water your plant often to ensure that the soil remains moist. With the right care and attention, your Colorado Fir will bloom beautifully in your home.

Lighting

Colorado Fir thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your White Fir.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Colorado Fir is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

Colorado Fir grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Colorado Fir’s native range is South-western N. America - Oregon to California, to Arizona and New Mexico.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Abies Genus

Abies firma Japanese Fir

Abies concolor Colorado Fir

Abies kawakamii Formosan Fir

Abies mariesii Marie's Fir

Abies homolepis Nikko Fir

Abies pindrow Pindrow Fir

Abies religiosa Sacred Fir

Abies alba Common Silver Fir

Abies amabilis Pacific Silver Fir

Abies pinsapo Spanish Fir