Abies fraseri (Abies)

Abies fraseri as a Christmas tree

This is a more recent addition to the choices of trees available as Christmas trees. It is very popular in Eastern USA and originates in North Carolina and Virginia.

This tree is similar in appearance to the Abies nordmanniana but is slimmer at the bottom, so if space is a premium then this could be the tree for you. It's needles are mid to dark green and are soft, wide and flat. The tree has very little scent, is quite dense in appearance and has plenty of branches towards the top of the tree giving it a fuller appearance.

This tree tends to grow naturally with a crooked leading branch which does add character to it's appearance.

History

This fir is native to the Appalachian Mountains in the south eastern United States. 

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

Semi-ripe and ripewood cuttings and seeds.

Cultivation

Grows best in moist, but well drained, fertile soil in full sun. It will survive in dry conditions but much prefers cooler climates.

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

Balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae).

Diseases

Root rot in wet conditions.

This plant is scented.

Other information

The oldest Abies fraseri is thought to be 150 years old.

Height/Spread

A slow growing evergreen tree, which is pyramidal in shape with horizontal branches.  It is dense when young but opens up with age.  The bark starts off as a dull green but turns brown as it matures and tends to have patches of resin blisters. New stems are grey/light brown and 2.5cm flattened, needles, with silver undersides, densley cover the branches. It produces resinous buds and upright, oval, 4-6 cm cones which start off purple and mature to a brown/tan colour. The cones have pointed toothed bracts which protrude from the scales and the seeds are released in autumn (Sept-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.