Abies alba (Silver Fir)

Also known as the European silver fir, Common silver fir or  White deal, this fir is native to the southern and central European mountains and also Byelorussia, Asia and the Caucasus Mountains. It grows at altitudes of 300-1,700 m, on mountains with a rainfall of over 1,000 mm. It also grows well in the moist valleys in Scotland.

Grows best in moist, but well drained, fertile soil that is neutral or slightly acidic and in sun or partial shade. It will survive in drier conditions but much prefers fresh moist, cooler climates.

An evergreen conifer, which has a tall clear trunk, 1.5m in diameter and surmounted by a pyramidal crown, that grows flatter with age.  The bark is smooth, grey and scaly with resin blisters. New stems are grey/light brown and 1.8-3cm flattened, needles, with glossy dark green uppers and green/white undersides, densley cover the branches. It produces pale brown/red oval buds which are sometimes resinous and cylindrical cones which are 9-17cm long and 3-4cm wide.  The cones start off green but mature to a red/brown and contain winged seeds which are released in autumn (Sept-Oct).

Abies alba in terms of it's wood is reasonably soft and white colour. It is used in the used in the construction industry as well as in the manufacture of paper.


Abies alba as a Christmas tree

Abies alba was the first species to be used as a Christmas tree, but has been replaced to a great extent by various other species including the Nordmann Fir which has foliage which is denser and some say more attractive and by Norway Spruce (which for the nurseries is cheaper to grow.