Even in the event you’re not a gardener, chances are you’ll know the fir tree from the favored balsam firs offered as minimize bushes over the vacations. This tree and different associated fir bushes make lovely panorama vegetation, offering a habitat for birds as effectively.
The firs (Abies) are within the Pine household and are referred to as conifers since they produce cones much like pine bushes. Since firs typically come from mountaintops, they like cooler climates as within the north. They are typically considerably sluggish rising, however over time make stately bushes. They don’t seem to be for city settings as they are often injured by air air pollution.
You may inform firs from spruces often by squeezing the needles. These of firs are smooth to the contact, whereas spruce needles are sharp-pointed and can prick.
Firs have simple tradition. Give them full solar for greatest development, and a moist however well-drained soil, ideally an acidic one. Attempt to keep away from clay soils. Illnesses to observe for embrace rusts and root rots, the latter if soils keep too moist. Pests to observe for embrace the woolly adelgid and bark beetles that will disfigure the tree however not critically hurt it.
The balsam fir (balsamea) with its wealthy inexperienced leaves prefers chilly climates, being hardy to USDA zone 3 (-30 to –40 levels F). It’s going to tolerate some shade and moist soils. It’s native in a lot of japanese North America, particularly the upper elevations. Though this tree would possibly ultimately attain 75 ft excessive and 25 ft vast, over 10 years you would possibly anticipate 10 ft excessive and 6 ft vast from planting a foot excessive seedling. This fir has very aromatic needles you should purchase in sachets, or accumulate when fallen from vacation bushes to make your personal winter potpourri.
You typically can discover seedlings on the market in spring from conservation districts in bundles, helpful for wildlife habitats. I’ve some for this goal, in addition to for offering a backdrop within the panorama for flowers, and for some shade. As they develop, I skinny them out every vacation for minimize bushes. You additionally might discover the ‘Nana’ or dwarf cultivar in nurseries. This solely reaches about two ft excessive and three ft vast, so is nice in rock gardens and alongside constructing foundations.
The white fir (concolor) additionally makes a terrific minimize tree for holidays, having a pyramidal form that it retains at the same time as a mature tree. It’s going to ultimately attain 30 to 50 ft excessive, and 20 to 30 ft vast. Equally hardy to the balsam fir it, nevertheless, is native to mountainsides of western North America and has waxy, bluish-green leaves. It is among the most adaptable firs thriving in northern zones from east to west, and underneath varied situations together with some drought, salt, and air pollution.
The Fraser fir (fraseri) is much like the Balsam fir, however with out aromatic needles. Its shiny inexperienced needles have silvery undersides. Native to the Appalachian Mountains, it withstands warmth higher than the Balsam and another firs. It, too, is a well-liked vacation tree and tends to carry its needles effectively when minimize.
The Korean fir (koreana) is a a lot smaller tree, solely reaching about 15 to twenty ft excessive, and half as vast. It is among the least hardy firs, listed as hardy to solely USDA zone 4 or extra typically 5 (-10 to –20 levels F). It has broad, dark-green needles with white bands beneath. Due to its compact development, it provides a dense look.
The Caucasian fir (nordmanniana) is a stately tree when mature, rising 40 to 60 ft excessive and with darkish inexperienced needles. Native to the Caucasus as its identify signifies, it has intermediate hardiness to the opposite firs of USDA zone 4 (-20 to –30 levels F). There may be golden-leaved yellow cultivar referred to as ‘Golden Spreader’ that solely grows to about three ft excessive and 5 ft vast.
The Veitch fir (veitchii) is maybe the least generally seen of the firs, however makes a wonderful decorative tree for chilly zone 3 climates. Native to central and southern Japan, it has darkish inexperienced needles which can be white beneath. With time it may well attain 50 to 75 ft excessive, and half as vast.
Take into account including firs to your panorama, if room, to supply an evergreen backdrop for flowers, a windbreak, a visible display screen, a habitat and winter safety for birds, or singly as lovely specimen bushes.
Dr. Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor Emeritus
College of Vermont
12/1/16
Distribution of this launch is made potential by College of Vermont and Inexperienced Works—the Vermont Nursery and Panorama Affiliation.