About
Abies firma is a tall evergreen conifer, typically reaching heights of 40 to 50 meters. Its rigid, resilient needles exhibit a light green hue on the upper surface and a whitish green shade underneath. In younger specimens, the needles have a forked appearance with sharp tips, while older foliage tends to be notched or blunt. The species produces cylindrical cones that are yellowish green with yellow bracts, which mature to a yellowish brown color. These cones, measuring 10 to 15 centimeters in height and 3 to 5 centimeters in width, develop in late spring.
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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
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
- Japan
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in deep, neutral to slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun, with some shelter from cold winds. Young shoots may be damaged spring frosts. See conifer cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by grafting in winter
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to honey fungus