Abies fraseri aka Fraser Fir

Abies fraseri, or Fraser fir, belongs to the pine family. This tree stays green all year. It comes from the southern Appalachian Mountains. Its range includes North Carolina and Tennessee. It also grows in southwest Virginia. Missouri Botanical Garden lists far northern Georgia too. It grows on cool mountain sites, often with red spruce. Balsam woolly adelgids pose a grave threat to wild stands. These pests came from outside the tree's native range.

Garden trees reach 30–55 feet (9.1–16.8 metres) tall. Their spread reaches 10–25 feet (3–7.6 metres). Some sources give a lower range: 30–40 feet (9.1–12.2 metres). Virginia Tech reports heights of 80 feet (24.4 metres). The tree grows slowly, with a narrow, cone-shaped crown. Young trees grow thickly but open up with age. Short, level branches form rings around the trunk. The needles have a scent and stay green through winter. They do not change color in fall. Each flat needle has a blunt or notched tip. The tops are dark green; the undersides are pale silver. Young bark is smooth and gray, with raised resin blisters. Older trunks may form scales or plates. The round buds are reddish-brown, with a coat of resin.

Fraser fir makes cones, not true flowers. Each tree bears both male and female structures. Chicago Botanic Garden gives March through April as bloom time. Male structures range from yellow to purple. Small purple female structures grow near the crown's top. The cones stand upright and start green or purple. They turn brown as they age. Long bracts stick out past the scales and bend down. In fall, cones break up while still on the tree. The seeds and scales drop, leaving the stalk at the center.

Full sun gives the best growth, but light shade works. The tree prefers rich, moist loam that drains well. Soil with a mild acid level suits it best. High pH causes trouble. Heavy clay can cause poor growth. This mountain tree does better with cool summers than hot climates. Heat and drought can cause poor growth too. Sources list USDA zones 4–7 and UK hardiness H7. Shelter from cold winds helps. The tree needs no routine pruning. Its shape and long-held needles suit Christmas tree farms. Gardeners also plant it as a specimen for winter interest. NC State records its use as medicine by Cherokee people. The supplied food-use details refer to a different fir. They do not refer to this species.

Pests include adelgids, aphids, and bark beetles. Budworms, bagworms, and scale also attack it. Spider mites may show up in hot weather. Root rot and needle rust can occur. So can twig blight and honey fungus. Pollution in towns and cities also causes problems. Reports differ on how well it resists deer. UConn records frequent deer damage.