What hardiness zones is Abies magnifica suitable for?

Abies magnifica is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Abies magnifica?

Abies magnifica requires Full Sun.

How much water does Abies magnifica need?

Abies magnifica has Medium water needs.

Coniferous Trees

Abies magnifica

California Red Fir

Pinaceae

Sierra Nevada (California, Nevada), southern Cascade Range (California, Oregon)

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageEvergreen

Height60–150 feet (18–46 m)

Width15–30 feet (4.5–9 m)

Maturity100 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Abies magnifica is a large evergreen conifer native to western North America, reaching 60–150 feet (18–46 m) tall with a spread of 15–30 feet (4.5–9 m) at maturity. The crown is narrowly spire-like. Bark on young trees is smooth, gray, and resinous; on mature trees it becomes thick, deeply furrowed, and reddish-brown — the source of the common name. Needles are 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long, four-sided in cross-section, blue-green to glaucous blue, and curve upward around the shoot. Cones are cylindrical, 5–9 inches (13–23 cm) long and 2–3.5 inches (5–9 cm) wide, purplish-green maturing to brown, held upright and disintegrating on the tree in August–September. The species performs poorly below 3,000 feet (900 m) elevation in cultivation and does not tolerate hot, humid lowland climates, air pollution, or heavy soils. Balsam woolly adelgid poses a significant pest threat in parts of its range.

Native Range

Abies magnifica is native to the Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada and the southern Cascade Range of California and Oregon, occurring at elevations of 5,000–10,000 feet (1,500–3,050 m). It grows in montane to subalpine coniferous forests, often in pure stands or mixed with Pinus contorta, Pinus jeffreyi, and Tsuga mertensiana.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen or forest tree in large-scale landscapes, parks, and mountain gardens at elevations of 3,000 feet (900 m) or above in the Pacific states. Requires minimum 20–25 feet (6–7.5 m) clearance from structures at planting. Not suitable for lowland urban or suburban gardens, climates with hot and humid summers, or sites east of the Rocky Mountains except at equivalent high elevations.

How to Identify

Abies magnifica is distinguished from other western North American firs by four-sided needles that curve upward to expose both needle surfaces equally, creating a brushy appearance on branches. Distinguished from A. procera by the absence of reflexed bract scales on the cone — bracts of A. magnifica are hidden within the cone, not protruding. Needles, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm), are blue-green to glaucous; cross-section is rhombic. Bark on mature trees is thick and reddish-brown, prominently furrowed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 150'

Width/Spread15' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 100 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

purple

Foliage Colors

blue green

glaucous blue

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Male strobili are reddish-purple, 0.5–0.75 inch (1.3–2 cm) long, releasing pollen in May–June at high-elevation sites. Female cones form upright, purplish-green at pollination, maturing to 5–9 inches (13–23 cm) long by July–August. Cones disintegrate in place in August–September, releasing winged seeds and leaving a persistent central rachis spike.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

reddish-purple (male strobili); purplish-green to brown (cones)

Foliage Description

blue-green to glaucous blue

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 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

80–120 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in well-drained, deep soil with a pH of 5.0–6.5 at elevations of 3,000 feet (900 m) or above in western North America. Water weekly during the first 2–3 growing seasons in the absence of snowmelt or rainfall. Established trees tolerate seasonal dry periods in Sierra Nevada conditions but decline in chronically dry lowland sites. Summer temperatures above 90°F (32°C) combined with low humidity cause progressive decline; this species does not perform well at low elevations in hot or humid regions. Balsam woolly adelgid causes branch dieback and can be lethal; inspect annually in regions where the pest is established. No routine fertilization is required in native soils.

Pruning

No routine pruning is required. The natural spire form is self-maintaining. Remove dead or damaged branches in late spring. The central leader should not be cut; its loss results in a forked top that does not regenerate. This species is not suitable for size control by pruning.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic