Coniferous Trees

Abies delavayi ssp. faxoniana

Faxon's Delavay Fir

Pinaceae

Southwestern China (western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–65 feet (12–20 m) in cultivation
Width15–20 feet (4.5–6 m)
Maturity40 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 8
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Abies delavayi ssp. faxoniana is a large evergreen conifer reaching 65–100 feet (20–30 m) tall with a spread of 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) in its natural range, with cultivated specimens typically smaller. The crown is narrowly conical. Needles are 0.5–1.25 inches (1.3–3 cm) long, flat, dark green above with two white stomatal bands below, notched at the tip. This subspecies differs from the typical A. delavayi in having slightly longer needles and cones with more prominently exserted bract scales — bracts that extend visibly beyond the cone scales. Cones are cylindrical, deep violet-blue to black at maturity, 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) long, held upright and disintegrating on the tree in autumn. Like all Abies species, this subspecies is intolerant of compacted soils, poor drainage, air pollution, and hot, dry summer conditions. In cultivation it is rare and largely limited to botanical collections and specialist conifer gardens.

Native Range

Abies delavayi ssp. faxoniana is native to the mountains of western Sichuan and northwestern Yunnan provinces in southwestern China. It occurs in subalpine coniferous forests at elevations of 9,500–13,100 feet (2,900–4,000 m) on well-drained mountain slopes with cool, moist summers and cold winters.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen in arboreta, botanical gardens, and specialist conifer collections in climates with cool, moist summers. Requires minimum 15–20 feet (4.5–6 m) clearance from structures and other trees at planting time. Not suited to residential sites, hot-summer regions, urban conditions, or soils with impaired drainage.

How to Identify

Abies delavayi ssp. faxoniana is distinguished from A. delavayi by cones with bract scales that extend visibly beyond the cone scales, giving the cone a slightly more bristled appearance. Needles are similar in form — flat, 0.5–1.25 inches (1.3–3 cm), dark green above with white stomatal bands below — but on average slightly longer than in the typical subspecies. As with all Abies, the upright cone position and cone disintegration in place are diagnostic for the genus. Buds are small, resinous, and reddish-brown.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 65'
Width/Spread15' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red
violet

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks
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Spring
Male strobili are small and reddish, releasing pollen in May–June at planting elevations. Female cones develop upright, maturing from greenish to deep violet-black over summer, reaching 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) by late August–September. Cone disintegration occurs in September–October, releasing winged seeds and leaving a persistent central rachis spike on the branch.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

reddish (male strobili); dark violet-black (cones)

Foliage Description

dark green above, white stomatal bands below

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-12 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 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

30–50 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in deep, well-drained, humus-rich soil with a pH of 5.0–6.5 in a cool, humid climate. Young plants require consistent supplemental moisture during the first 2–3 growing seasons. Established plants tolerate short dry periods but show needle drop and reduced vigor within 2–3 years under chronic drought. Poorly drained or compacted soils cause root deterioration. Air pollution tolerance is low; this subspecies is not suitable for urban or suburban sites with poor air quality. No routine fertilization is required in soils with adequate organic matter; excess nitrogen promotes soft growth susceptible to late-season frost damage.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. The natural single-leader pyramidal form is self-maintaining. Remove dead or damaged branches in late spring after new growth has hardened. Cutting the central leader results in a forked crown that will not regenerate a single dominant stem. Pruning is not performed in late summer or fall, as wounds close slowly before dormancy.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic