Abies procera (Abies)

History

This is a western North American fir, native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States. It was first found by fabled botanist-explorer David Douglas, growing in mountains on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge, where it can still be found.

Planting

Plant new trees in well drained soil in ealy spring or early autumn. Water the tree well before planting. Dig a hole large enough for the root ball, loosen the soil at the bottom and mix in well rotted organic material to help retain the moisture and a handful of bonemeal to encourage root growth.  Place the plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface, backfill, firm in carefully around the roots and water in well. This will ensure good soil and root contact, stability in windy conditions and a good start for the plant.

Propagation

Seeds (January to February).

Cultivation

Grows best in moist, free draining, fertile soil in full sun. It will survive in dry conditions but much prefers cooler climates. Growth is slower in dense shade.  It is happy in windy sites because it is one of the most windfirm trees, swaying grandly in even the most howling gales of winter.

Aftercare

Conifers are shallow rooted trees and so need regular watering until they become more established and during dry spells.  An application of a bark mulch will supress the weeds at the base of the tree and also help to retain moisture. Young trees may also need protection in windy areas if the roots have not yet had chance to get established. It is also important to ensure the soil is well drained in order to avoid root rot. No feeding is required for these trees as they survive quite happily on poor soils.

Pests

Trouble free.

Diseases

Trouble free.

This plant is scented.

Other information

The wood from these trees is used in construction and paper manufacture. It is thought to be the largest of all Abies in terms of diameter, height and wood volume. 

Abies procera as a Christmas tree

The tree looks very dense due mainly to 25mm long blue-grey needles growing at right angles to the branch. Trees are relatively easy to decorate as the needles are pretty flexible however, if you put heavy baubles on, the branches can show signs of drooping.

The tree does drop it's needles but only moderately.

Height/Spread

A tall evergreen conifer that is conical in shape and has a trunk up to 2m in diameter. The bark is grey and smooth with resin blisters when young which gets rougher and fissured turning to a red/brown colour with age. Twigs are reddish brown with blue/green needles 1-3.5cm long cover the banches pointing upwards and forwards .  It produces 11-22cm erect cones which have purple scales covered by yellow/green bract scales. The cones go chocolate brown when ripe and release winged seeds in autumn (Oct).

Annual care

March

Apply a bark mulch at the base of the tree to supress weeds and help retain moisture in the soil.

July

Make sure the tree is well watered during dry spells.