Abies lasiocarpa, alpine fir
Coniferous Trees

Abies lasiocarpa

alpine fir

Pinaceae

Subalpine western North America — Alaska to New Mexico; Cascades, Olympics, and Rocky Mountains

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height40–60 feet (12–18 m)
Width8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m)
Maturity40 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

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

Key Features

Fragrant (moderate)
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A narrow, spire-like evergreen conifer native to subalpine zones of western North America, reaching 40–60 feet (12–18 m) tall in landscape settings with a spread of only 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m). The extremely narrow, columnar to spire-like habit with a sharply pointed crown tip is the most distinctive feature of this species. Branches short, ascending, densely clothed with needles in a bottle-brush arrangement around the twigs. Needles flat, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, blue-gray to silvery-blue with a frosted appearance, strongly balsam-scented when crushed. Cones cylindrical, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, dark purple when young, erect on upper branches, disintegrating at maturity. Grows slowly — typically 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year in cultivation. Best suited to cool climates; does not perform well in hot, humid summers. Hardy in USDA zones 4–7.

Native Range

Abies lasiocarpa is native to subalpine and montane zones across western North America — from Alaska and Yukon south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and the northern Rocky Mountains to Arizona and New Mexico, growing at elevations typically 3,000–11,500 feet (900–3,500 m). In the Pacific Northwest it occurs in the Cascades, Olympics, and coast ranges above the zone of Abies grandis.

Suggested Uses

Used as a narrow vertical accent or specimen tree in spacious gardens, particularly in cool Pacific Northwest or mountain-climate settings. The extremely narrow habit makes it more space-efficient than other large conifers. Most successful in sites with cool summers, good air circulation, and moist, well-drained soil. Evokes a high-elevation mountain landscape character.

How to Identify

Identified by the extremely narrow, spire-like silhouette with a sharply pointed crown tip — narrower than any other North American fir — combined with blue-gray needles arranged in a bottle-brush pattern around the twigs rather than flat sprays. Distinguished from Abies grandis (grand fir) by higher-elevation habitat, blue-gray rather than dark green needles, bottle-brush rather than flat needle arrangement, and much slower growth. Distinguished from Abies procera (noble fir) by smaller stature, narrower crown, and blue-gray needles that do not curve upward to expose silvery undersides.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height40' - 60'
Width/Spread8' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 40 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

blue
gray

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Produces pollen cones in spring. Seed cones dark purple, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, erect on upper branches of mature trees, maturing in late summer and disintegrating on the tree. Young cones are ornamentally attractive when dark purple. Not grown primarily for flowering.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Blue-gray to silvery-blue with a frosted appearance; bottle-brush needle arrangement; balsam-scented when crushed

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 - 7.0(Neutral)
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 full sun in cool, moist, well-drained acidic to neutral soil. Requires cool summers to perform well — best in zones 4–6 and at higher elevations in zone 7; does not thrive in hot, humid climates. Space appropriately for its mature width of 8–12 feet (2.4–3.7 m). Water during establishment; prefers consistent moisture once established. Protect from reflected heat and dry winds. Generally pest-free in cool, adapted climates. Growth is slow — allow time to establish.

Pruning

Requires no routine pruning. Preserve the central leader and the narrow spire tip — do not cut the top. Remove dead branches as needed in late winter.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic
Abies lasiocarpa (alpine fir) - Identification & Care Guide | PlantRef