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Summary

Form: Columnar.

Physical Characteristics

Abies alba is an evergreen Tree growing to 45 m (147ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

A. pectinata. A. picea.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark
Edible Uses:

Inner bark - cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread[105, 177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Antibiotic Antirheumatic Antiseptic Astringent Balsamic Diuretic Expectorant Vasoconstrictor
Vulnerary

The buds are antibiotic, antiseptic and balsamic[7]. The bark is antiseptic and astringent[7]. It can be harvested as required throughout the year[238]. The leaves are expectorant and a bronchial sedative[7]. They are best harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[238]. The resin is antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, eupeptic, expectorant, vasoconstrictor and vulnerary[7]. Both the leaves and the resin are common ingredients in remedies for colds and coughs, either taken internally or used as an inhalant[238]. The leaves and/or the resin are used in folk medicine to treat bronchitis, cystitis, leucorrhoea, ulcers and flatulent colic[268]. The resin is also used externally in bath extracts, rubbing oils etc for treating rheumatic pains and neuralgia[238]. Oil of Turpentine, which is obtained from the trunk of the tree, is occasionally used instead of the leaves or the resin. The oil is also rubefacient and can be applied externally in the treatment of neuralgia[268].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential Lacquer Paint Resin Tannin Wood

An oleo-resin is obtained from blister-like swellings in the bark[64, 100]. It is harvested in the summer and used fresh, dried or distilled for oil[238]. The resin extracted from it is used in perfumery, medicine and for caulking ships[46, 61, 64, 100]. It is called 'Strasburg Turpentine'[46]. Oil of turpentine is an important solvent in the paint industry[238]. The residue, known as 'rosin oil', is used in making varnishes, lacquers and carbon black (for pigments and ink)[238]. Resin is tapped from trees about 60 - 80 years old in the spring and used for the distillation of oil[238]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as a disinfectant and also in medicine and perfumery[46, 61]. It is a common ingredient in many bath products, giving them their familiar pine scent[7]. The bark is a source of tannin[7]. Wood - light, soft, durable, elastic. The timber of this tree is especially sought after for its lightness, it is used for construction, furniture, boxes, pulp etc[7, 46, 61, 89, 101].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen. Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1] though it tolerates most soils except infertile sands and peats[11, 81]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acid soil, with a pH down to about 5, and a north-facing slope[200]. Plants are very shade tolerant and this species has often been used to underplant in forests[11, 81], but growth is slower in dense shade[81]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. Requires a generous rainfall and a sheltered position[11, 81]. Intolerant of windy sites[81]. The silver fir is a very hardy plant when dormant but it comes into growth in April and is then susceptible to damage by late frosts and aphis[185, 238]. This species is particularly subject to aphis infestation in many parts of the country[11], and is also prone to dieback and rust caused by fungal infections[238]. Trees are slow growing for the first few years but from the age of around 6 years growth accelerates and height increases of 1 metre a year are not uncommon[185]. Grows best in moist valleys in Scotland[11] and in S.W. England where it often self-sows. This species also thrives in E. Anglia[17]. Another report says that this species is not happy in the hot, dry, Lower Thames Valley, and does not thrive in many low-lying and frosty parts of southern England[11]. It has been planted as a timber tree in northern and western Europe[50]. It is also commonly used as a 'Christmas tree'[61, 200]. This tree is notably resistant to honey fungus[11, 81, 200]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, preferably between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[200]. Unlike most species of conifers, this tree can be coppiced and will regenerate from the stump[126]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[200]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[200]. The cultivar 'Pendula' used to be widely planted for ornament, shelter and timber but because it is now susceptible to damage by Adelges nordmannianae it is seldom planted. Research is going on (1975) to find provenances that are resistant[185]. Special Features:Not North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[78]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[78]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[80, 113]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[113]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[78] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[80].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Abies amabilis	Red Fir,Pacific silver fir	Tree	30.0	4-8	S	LMH	FSN	M	1	2	3
Abies balsamea	Balsam Fir	Tree	15.0	3-6	S	LMH	FSN	M	3	5	3
Abies cephalonica	Grecian Fir	Tree	36.0	4-8	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies concolor	Colorado Fir, White fir	Tree	45.0	3-7	F	LMH	FSN	DM	0	2	2
Abies delavayi		Tree	25.0	6-9	S	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	3
Abies firma	Momi Fir, Japanese Fir	Tree	30.0	6-9	M	LMH	FSN	M	1	0	2
Abies fraseri	She Balsam, Fraser fir, Southern Balsam Fir	Tree	15.0	4-7	F	LMH	FSN	M	1	3	3
Abies grandis	Grand Fir, Giant Fir, Lowland White Fir	Tree	75.0	5-6	F	LMH	FSN	M	2	2	3
Abies homolepis	Nikko Fir	Tree	36.0	4-7	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies lasiocarpa	Subalpine Fir, Alpine Fir	Tree	25.0	5-6	S	LMH	FSN	M	2	2	2
Abies magnifica	Californian Red Fir, Shasta red fir	Tree	60.0	4-8	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies mariesii		Tree	20.0	5-9	S	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies nordmanniana	Caucasian Fir, Christmas Tree Fir, Nordmann	Tree	50.0	4-6	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies pindrow	West Himalayan Fir	Tree	30.0	5-7	S	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies procera	Noble Fir	Tree	60.0	5-6	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	1	2
Abies recurvata		Tree	35.0	5-9	M	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies religiosa	Sacred Fir	Tree	40.0	7-10	F	LMH	FSN	M	0	1	3
Abies sachalinensis	Sakhalin Fir	Tree	30.0	3-6	S	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies sibirica	Siberian Fir	Tree	30.0	-		LMH	FSN	M	0	1	3
Abies spectabilis	Himalayan Fir	Tree	30.0	6-9	S	LMH	FSN	M	0	2	3
Abies squamata	Flaky Fir	Tree	30.0	5-9	S	LMH	FSN	DM	0	0	2
Abies veitchii	Veitch Fir, Christmastree	Tree	25.0	3-7	F	LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Abies veitchii sikokiana		Tree	30.0	3-7		LMH	FSN	M	0	0	2
Picea abies	Norway Spruce	Tree	30.0	2-7	F	LMH	N	MWe	2	1	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Abies alba - Mill.