Abies veitchii aka Veitch Fir

Abies veitchii, or Veitch fir, is an evergreen conifer. It belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Its native range lies in central and southern Japan. Kew lists it on the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. This tree comes from a temperate climate. It keeps its needles year-round and has no fall color.

In gardens, it reaches 50–75 feet [15.2–22.9 metres] tall. Its spread is about half its height. This gives a width of 25–37.5 feet [7.6–11.4 metres]. Growth is slow, and the crown forms a broad cone. Branches extend out from the trunk in a level plane. The tree suits parks and planting as a single specimen. Its mature size calls for room for both height and width.

The flat needles range from half an inch to an inch long. They have smooth edges and a notch at the tip. Their upper surface is blue-green. Two broad white stomatal bands mark each needle's underside. Needles crowd the shoots but do not all point alike. Lower needles spread outward, while shorter inner needles stand upright. The buds contain resin, and shed needles leave round scars. Smooth, pale gray bark bears blisters filled with resin. Young shoots are green-brown and have a coat of hairs. Tiny black hairs at shoot tips help with identification. A hand lens helps reveal these small hairs.

One tree carries both male and female reproductive structures. These add little to its garden display. The cones are purple-brown and two to three inches long. They have a cylinder shape that narrows toward one end. They attach straight to the branch, without a stalk. Purple cones, notched needles, and pale bark help identify the tree.

Give Veitch fir full sun for the best growth. It prefers moist, acid soil that drains well. High soil pH does not suit it. UConn lists cold hardiness to USDA zone 3. It also notes that the tree transplants with relative ease. Growers can raise it from seed, with stratification helping propagation. Deer often damage this fir, and nurseries may not stock it. The supplied species-level evidence gives no edibility or toxicity assessment.