About

A tall, upright evergreen conifer, Abies alba can reach heights of up to 45 meters. Its needles are dark green above and have a silvery hue on the underside. In late spring, cylindrical yellow-green cones emerge, eventually maturing to a brown color.

About the genus

Abies are evergreen coniferous trees that can reach significant heights. They feature whorled branches that support narrow, flattened leaves, typically having a whitish underside. The upper branches produce substantial cones that disintegrate while still attached to the tree.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Conifers, Trees
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
Higher than 12 metres
Spread
4-8 metres
Time to full height
20-50 years
Suggested uses
Architectural
Native to
Pyrenees to Carpathians and Balkan Peninsula

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. See conifer cultivation
Pruning
Pruning not recommended
Propagation
Propagate by grafting
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to honey fungus