Abies amabilis, Pacific Silver Fir
1 / 9
Conifers

Abies amabilis

Pacific Silver Fir

Pinaceae

Pacific Coast mountains — southeastern Alaska south through BC, Washington and Oregon Cascades, Olympic Mountains, to northern California Cascades; 1,000–5,500 ft elevation

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height100-150 feet (30-45 m)
Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Maturity50 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 7
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Fragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A large, long-lived evergreen conifer in the family Pinaceae, native to the Pacific Coast mountains from southeastern Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to the northern California Cascades, at elevations of 1,000–5,500 feet (300–1,680 m) in cool, moist montane and subalpine forests. The specific epithet amabilis means 'lovely.' Trees develop a narrowly pyramidal to columnar crown 100–150 feet (30–45 m) tall and 20–30 feet (6–9 m) wide on a straight trunk 3–6 feet (90–180 cm) in diameter, with densely tiered horizontal branches. Young bark is smooth, gray, and resin-blistered; mature bark reddish-brown and furrowed. The needles are flat, soft, 0.75–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) long with rounded or notched tips, dark glossy green above and with two conspicuous silvery-white stomatal bands beneath — creating the characteristic shimmer that gives this tree its common name. Upright, cylindrical cones 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) long are purple-violet when young, disintegrating on the tree at maturity. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to the Pacific Coast mountain ranges from southeastern Alaska south through coastal British Columbia, the Washington and Oregon Cascades, the Olympic Mountains, and the northern California Cascades, growing at elevations of 1,000–5,500 feet (300–1,680 m) in cool, moist conifer forests with 60–120 inches (150–300 cm) of annual precipitation.

Suggested Uses

Best suited as a forest restoration tree, large-scale landscape specimen, or naturalistic woodland planting on cool, moist sites with ample space (100–150 feet at maturity). Appropriate for large properties, parks, campuses, and montane gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Not suitable for small lots, urban heat islands, or gardens east of the Cascades without consistent irrigation. Provides nesting and foraging habitat for varied thrush, Clark's nutcracker, and many other Pacific Northwest bird species.

How to Identify

Identified by flat, soft needles 0.75–1.5 inches (2–4 cm) long with rounded or notched (not sharp) tips, dark glossy green above with two conspicuous silvery-white stomatal bands beneath — the gleaming white undersides are the most diagnostic field character, more pronounced than any other Pacific Northwest fir. Upright purple-violet cylindrical cones 3–6 inches (8–15 cm) disintegrate on the branch rather than falling intact. Distinguished from Abies grandis (more open crown, citrus-scented needles) and Abies lasiocarpa (higher elevation, blue-gray needles) by the pronounced silver needle undersides and densely tiered horizontal branching.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height100' - 150'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 50 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spring
Pollen released from male strobili in May–June. Female cones develop over summer and ripen by late September, disintegrating on the branch over fall and winter to release winged seeds. Upright purple-violet cones on upper branches are ornamental in summer on young trees.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Not applicable — upright cylindrical cones 3–6 inches long, purple-violet when young, on upper branches

Foliage Description

dark glossy green above; two conspicuous silvery-white stomatal bands beneath — the intense silver sheen on needle undersides is the defining identification feature

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeatclay
Drainage
moist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

40-60 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in partial shade to full sun in moist, humus-rich, acidic soil with a pH of 5.0–6.5. Requires consistent moisture during the first 5–10 years of establishment — water deeply during dry spells. Intolerant of poorly drained, waterlogged soils. Grows slowly (6–12 inches / 15–30 cm per year initially), accelerating once established. Not suited to hot, dry, or highly polluted urban environments. Best in cool, moist Pacific Northwest climates at lower montane to mid-elevation sites. Allow minimum 40 feet (12 m) clearance from structures.

Pruning

Requires minimal pruning. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter before new growth begins. Do not prune into old wood — firs do not regenerate from bare wood. Never top the tree; this destroys natural form and creates structural weakness. Remove lower limbs to the trunk as the canopy develops and shades them. No shearing or formal pruning.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Abies amabilis (Pacific Silver Fir) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef