Abies lasiocarpa aka Alpine Fir

Abies lasiocarpa, also known as the subalpine fir or Rocky Mountain fir, is a tall, evergreen conifer tree native to the mountains of western North America. It has a narrowly conical crown and can reach heights of up to 20m in optimal conditions. The bark on young trees is smooth and grey, while the needle-like leaves are flat and dark green on the top, with two silvery-white lines below. The needles, which are up to 3cm long, are spirally arranged on the shoots and twisted at the base. The seed cones of Abies lasiocarpa are dark purple, almost black when young, and can grow up to 12cm long. They have fine yellow-brown hairy seed scales that eventually turn brown when mature. This tree belongs to the pine family Pinaceae and is found in various regions across western North America, including Oregon, California, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. It is well-loved as an ornamental landscaping tree and is often used as a Christmas tree. White fir, as it is also called, can live for over 300 years and is typically found at elevations between 900 and 3,400m. Firs, including Abies lasiocarpa, are fascinating conifers with their regular-conical crown and straight trunk resembling a candle. Their decorative needles are usually flat, glossy, and dark green on the upper side, with white longitudinal stripes on the bottom. In some mountainous species, the needles may appear silvery-gray or gray-blue. These trees thrive in gardens and parks with uniformly moist and fertile soils. However, they are not fond of transplantation and require soil loosening to a depth of 25-30cm. Mulching the area around the trunk with sawdust, peat, or chips is beneficial, with a layer of 5-8cm. Young plants may need shelter using spruce branches during severe winters. For maintenance, Abies lasiocarpa requires sanitary pruning in early spring and forming pruning before sap flow. The tree is susceptible to diseases and pests, such as the spruce-fir hermes and the fir-cone rider, which can damage the seeds. Additionally, the needles may be affected by sudden temperature changes during winter.