Botanical Name: Abies lasiocarpa
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Common Name: Alpine Fir  
Plant photo of: Abies lasiocarpa
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Tree, Conifer

 

Height Range

40-60'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Blue Green

 

Bark Color

White

 

Fruit Color

Green

 

Fruit Season

Fall, Persistent

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

High

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Japanese, Meadow, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Specimen, Unusual Shape

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter

 

Location Uses

Background

 

Special Uses

Screen, Wind Break

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Ministry of Forests BC

  • Description

  • Notes

Alpine fir is a very slow growing evergreen, eventually reaching 50 or more feet tall, with a 10 to 15 foot spread. Bluish green needles that are about 1 to 11/2 inches long. It has thick, corky creamy white bark. Not very heat tolerant, it is probably best suited to the east bench area and in the canyons.
This is a lovely tree, but it struggles in our low-elevation valley, where hot summers and inadequate winter snow cause great stress. Best suited to higher elevations; perhaps the east bench areas. Though it is a Utah native, it is not particularly drought tolerant, as its range is in the higher elevations. Grow in full to part sun, with north or northwest exposure. Like many evergreens, fir look rather odd when "limbed-up" so plant where its low-sweeping branches have room and are an asset.