Abies concolor, white fir
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Coniferous Trees

Abies concolor

white fir

Pinaceae

Mountain forests of western US from southern Idaho and Oregon south through Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada to northern Mexico

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40-70 feet (12-21 m)
Width15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 m)
Maturity30 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
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (light)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Abies concolor is a large, long-lived, evergreen coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae, native to mountain forests of the western United States from southern Idaho and Oregon south through the Rockies, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada to northern Mexico — the most widespread true fir of western North America. The specific epithet concolor means 'same color,' referring to the needles being a similar blue-gray or glaucous green on both upper and lower surfaces — unlike most firs where upper and lower needle surfaces differ markedly. Mature trees grow 40–70 feet (12–21 m) tall in garden settings, to 200 feet (60 m) in the wild, with a symmetrical, narrowly conical to broadly pyramidal crown of horizontal to slightly drooping branches. The needles are the primary identification character: LONG, SOFT, CURVED, BLUE-GRAY TO SILVERY-BLUE, 1.5–3 inches (4–8 cm) — the longest needles of any North American true fir, with a distinctive upward curve and a subtle citrus-lemon fragrance when crushed. Upright cylindrical cones 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) are greenish-purple aging to pale brown, disintegrating on the tree at maturity. White fir is the most drought- and heat-tolerant of the true firs — better adapted to garden conditions than grand fir or balsam fir. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to mountain forests of the western United States from southern Idaho and Oregon south through the Rocky Mountains, Great Basin ranges, and Sierra Nevada to northern Mexico.

Suggested Uses

Abies concolor is planted as a large specimen or screening conifer in Pacific Northwest and western North American landscapes where its exceptional blue-gray foliage color and symmetrical pyramidal form provide year-round presence. The long glaucous blue needles are among the most ornamental of any conifer. Suitable for large garden and park settings — not appropriate for small gardens. Of educational value for the concolor (same-colored) needle character and comparison with other Abies species needle lengths and colors.

How to Identify

Abies concolor is identified as a large symmetrical pyramidal evergreen conifer. Concolor = 'same color': BOTH NEEDLE SURFACES similar blue-gray (vs. distinctly different surfaces in most firs). PRIMARY FIELD CHARACTER: LONG SOFT CURVED BLUE-GRAY TO SILVERY-BLUE NEEDLES 1.5–3 inches — the longest and most glaucous of North American true firs; subtle citrus-lemon fragrance when crushed. Upright CYLINDRICAL CONES 3–5 inches, greenish-purple aging to pale brown, disintegrating on tree (never fall intact). Most drought- and heat-tolerant true fir — better for gardens than grand fir.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 70'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown
purple

Foliage Colors

blue
green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Pollen released from small red-purple male strobili in May. Upright cylindrical female cones 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) develop through summer, maturing September–October; greenish-purple when young, aging to pale brown. Cones disintegrate on the tree, releasing winged seeds — they do not fall intact. Wind-pollinated. Seeds provide food for Clark's nutcrackers, chickadees, and squirrels.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

upright CYLINDRICAL CONES 3–5 inches; greenish-purple aging to pale brown; disintegrate on tree (do not fall intact); ripen Sept–Oct; wind-pollinated; Clark's nutcracker/chickadee/squirrel seed food

Foliage Description

BLUE-GRAY TO SILVERY-BLUE — BOTH SURFACES SIMILAR (concolor = 'same color'); LONG SOFT CURVED NEEDLES 1.5–3 inches — longest of North American true firs; subtle citrus-lemon fragrance when crushed; most drought/heat-tolerant true fir; DATA CORRECTIONS: species null; rewrote curly-brace prose

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-12 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 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Abies concolor requires full sun in well-drained to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.5. The most adaptable and drought-tolerant true fir for garden use — tolerates drier and hotter conditions than other Abies species. Provide ample space for the mature pyramidal form. Requires good drainage; will not tolerate waterlogged soils. Moderately drought-tolerant once established. No fertilizer required in adequate soils.

Pruning

No pruning required for natural form. Lower branches can be removed to raise the crown as the tree matures. Do not top — severely damages form and inhibits recovery. Firs do not regenerate from old bare wood. Minimal maintenance once established.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic