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Abies alba

Abies alba

European silver fir, silver fir

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Description

Abies alba (European silver fir) is a large, evergreen conifer with an impressive pyramidal crown shape that flattens out in maturity. The European silver fir is, of course, most commonly known as a Christmas tree. As a large tree it can reach a height of between 50 and 60 metres and when conditions are favourable may be very long-lived. The European silver fir is found in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Carpathian Mountains and the Balkans. It grows at different elevations alongside, amongst others, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Larix decidua. Abies alba is a dominant species in many forests with a cool, damp climate, hence why it prefers growing in the higher mountain areas in Europe. Philip Miller, head gardener of the Chelsea Physic Garden in London, described the tree in 1759.

The bark of juvenile trees of Abies alba is greyish brown and smooth. In older trees, this becomes grey and grooved. The wood is white as denoted by the name alba. The needles of the evergreen European silver fir are matt green on top and have two green-white bands on the underside and are slightly notched. Young shoots are light yellow-brown or downy grey. The seed cones are narrow cylindrical, yellow-green and later purple-red. The cones turn brown and break apart when ripe from late summer into autumn. The winged seeds are distributed by the wind or eaten by birds and small mammals. Usually a standard tree but European silver firs can develop magnificent, multi-stem characters from a low-branched point.

The European silver fir is ideal in larger gardens and parks to provide some privacy or to add an evergreen aspect. Abies alba also makes a suitable tree for creating shelter/cover but is not planted close to buildings or homes on account of its large size. Indeed, in older trees, branches may break off in strong winds. The European silver fir grows best on well-drained soil in a cool climate with regular rainfall. Drier sites are tolerated but slow down growth and make the tree more susceptible to diseases and pests.

Types of planting

Tree types

standard trees feathered trees conifers

Use

Location

park large garden cemetery countryside windbreak

Pavement

none none

Planting concepts

landscape planting shade-tolerant

Characteristics

Crown shape

pyramidal pyramidal

Crown structure

dense dense

Height

30 - 60 m

Width

15 - 20 m

Winter hardiness zone

4B - 7B

Aspects

Wind

tolerant to wind

Soil

loess sabulous clay light clay sand loamy soil

Nutrient level

low in nutrients moderately rich in nutrients rich in nutrients

Soil moisture level

moist

Light requirements

sun partial shade shade

pH range

acidic neutral alkaline

Host plant/forage plant

birds owls small mammals

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Order this plant? Or would you like further information about Abies alba? Make an appointment for a detailed planting recommendation.
Call +31(0) 485 31 20 21 or email one of our advisors directly.
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Photos

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feathered feathered
Abies alba feathered
feathered feathered
Abies alba feathered
leaves leaves
Abies alba leaves
leaves leaves
Abies alba leaves
leaves leaves
Abies alba leaves
leaves leaves
Abies alba leaves
leaves leaves
Abies alba leaves
bark bark
Abies alba bark

Flowers

Flowers

discrete big

Flower colour

brown red-violet yellow-green

Flowering period

June

Leaves

Leaf colour

dark green underside white-grey

Leaves

evergreen needles or scales scented curly

Fruits

Fruit colour

yellow-green red-violet

Fruits

discrete large cones

Bark

Bark colour

grey-brown

Bark

peeling smooth, later on rough

Twigs

Twig colour

yellow-green grey-green

Twigs

pendulous

Root system

Root system

deep tap root central root

For and by green professionals

The TreeEbb is a platform for and by green professionals, in which we collect knowledge and experience from the sector and make this available for users. All the details and photos are free to use for non-commercial purposes. Want to share your tree knowledge? Send photographs and additional information to treeebb@ebben.nl

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Extreme environments
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Winter hardiness

A plant's winter hardiness is the coldest area in which it is frost-resistant. This is based on the average annual minimum temperature. Winter hardiness zones are thirteen different frost zones in steps of 5.5 degrees Celsius. This format is an international standard for the hardiness of plants. The zones in which the plant is frost-resistant are always included in the description of trees and other vegetation.

Winter hardiness is a genetic characteristic and is not influenced by the location in which the plant is cultivated. This means that a plant that has been cultivated for many years in winter-hardiness zone 6 but has a winter hardiness of 3 is perfectly suited for replanting in a colder zone. It will thrive there thanks to its genetic characteristics.

When choosing planting for a project, the winter hardiness of the plants is extremely important. By choosing species that match the zone in which the project is being created, it is possible to ensure that plants can withstand the minimum temperature in that area.

Winter hardiness map
Planet Proof
MVO-Nederland
ISO-9001
ISO-14001
CO²-presentatieladder
Boomfeestdag
British Asssociation of Landscape Industries

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F +31 (0)485 31 38 88
E info@ebben.nl

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