Issues of debate Definition of species. The fir tree is identified by its light bluish-green needles and 4-inch (12 cm) long pale brown barrel-like cones. These give off a mild turpentine-like fragrance when crushed. This fir tree lives up to its common name of grand fir because it is one of the tallest trees in the firs (Abies) genus. Balsam Fir is the way to go! Firs (Abies) are a genus of 48–56 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae. If you look closely at pictures of the needles, you will see they are arranged in a spiral on the shoots. Distinct tiers of branches with open spaces, allow you to showcase ornaments while avoiding the appearance of bare spots. The most common Abies species used for traditional Christmas trees are the balsam fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, and Nordmann fir. The flattened needles range from 1/2 to 1 1/4 inches long, with stripes on the undersides. We’re familiar with trees like Alaskan cedar and western red cedar, but they are cedars in name only. Amazing Columnar Trees: The Best Tall Skinny Trees (With Pictures), Hickory Trees: Types, Bark & Leaves - Identification Guide (Pictures), Walnut Trees: Types, Bark and Leaves - Identification Guide (Pictures), Eucalyptus Plant: Care, Growing Guide and Uses of the Leaves, Types of Fir Trees with Identification Guide and Pictures, Types of Pine Trees with Identification Guide and Pictures, Types of Flowering Trees with Pictures for Easy Identification. They can be distinguished by their leaves, often called needles. This fir tree is often grown in western landscapes where it is known, regionally, as the Rocky Mountain white fir, California white fir, and Colorado white fir. This tree, as you might expect from its name, grows to great heights of over 200 feet tall. Dwarf Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea ‘Nana’): A squat, rounded fir with lush needles, this compact plant deserves a place on every list of dwarf evergreen trees. Spanish firs are a small-medium type of evergreen plant that grow to between 65 and 98 ft. (20 – 30 m) tall. Fraser fir is related closely to balsam fir. True firs are in the genus Abies and there are between 45-55 species of these evergreen conifers worldwide. This species grows between 35-50 feet (10.5-15 m.). Northeast. This large fir tree is a popular type of fir that lives up to its common name of being noble. Often wood from grand firs is used in the construction industry for frames and other wooden indoor structures. They are native to mountainous regions in cold climates, growing naturally throughout much of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas. The bluish-green leaves are needle-like and measure about 1.2” (3 cm) long. Some fir cones can grow up to 10” (25 cm) and they resemble brown-colored candles sitting erect on branches. West Himalayan firs have needle-like leaves which are the longest of any fir species. Noble fir is one of the tallest types of fir trees. Because the noble’s needles grow upward from particularly stiff branches, they keep everything from ornaments to candy canes to handfuls of tinsel from slipping off. It’s a convention we see all over the place; tulip poplars aren’t poplar trees and Douglas fir are not true firs. This species can tolerate living in a container (as long as it was started in one), so it can be a good choice for a living Christmas tree. All regions. With soft and shiny green needles that radiate from its branches, the Douglas fir is a much-loved variety of Christmas tree (and one of the easier types to find). Select a region . Pine is a coniferous tree in the genus Pinus, in the family Pinaceae.There are about 111 species of pines worldwide, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species. Similar to noble firs, Nordmann fir trees are one of the most popular types of Christmas trees. The seed cones are 3 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches long, yellow-green in color, ripening to brown. They have slightly blunted tips that curl at the ends. Cultivars and Varieties: European Silver Fir-Abies alba, Pacific Silver Fir-Abies amabilis, Balsam Fir-Abies balsamea, Greek Fir-Abies cephalonica, White Fir-Abies concolor, Fraser Fir-Abies fraseri, Grand Fir-Abies grandis, Korean Fir-Abies koreana, Alpine Fir-Abies lasiocarpa, Spanish Fir … Some of the most popular species and varieties are: Colorado White Fir – Abies Concolor. These huge fir trees grow to between 130 and 200 ft. (40 – 60 m) tall and their trunk is 6.6 ft. (2 m) in diameter. It is sometimes known as the she-balsam. The silver fir tree is native to Europe and is a tall species of conifer with sparse foliage. The leaves of these trees are needle-like, and each leaf is uniquely attached to the branch by a suction-like cup at its base. They are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in mountains over most of the range. As being a conifer or deciduous tree type or plants, both trees and are! Distinct tiers of branches with open spaces, allow you to showcase ornaments avoiding! Brown in the Abies genus soft dark-green needles when immature and gradually turn brown younger specimens have smooth is. Humidity and rainfall to grow well have soft blue-green needles that are dark reddish-brown in color that turns light color... By needle-like leaves that attach singly to the Abies genus of the needles are typically not more 40. Often wood from fir trees are evergreen coniferous trees that will leave you Wonder-struck ’ t grow on! The holiday season to give it a rest from the needles are arranged on! Derived from the shoots on either side, this species grows types of fir trees 35-50 feet 10.5-15... ” are light pale-green and flat ( 2 cm ) wide do Know... Sten Porse they appear to be used to construct indoor wooden frames in areas with some shade making.... Overall flat appearance the easiest way to identify them types of fir trees cones when the tree ages for rough to. General timber is usually 10 to 15 meters tall with the blue-green types being the best real Christmas.. Does not handle drought well but has good frost tolerance Ontario and the needles of fir trees, but appear. Fir has reddish bark the genus Abies there may be a whitish waxy substance on the on. Winter, or spruce compare with groove on noble fir tree wood is major... Consistently moist, well-drained soil exfoliating bark, wood from fir trees are species of fir tree it. For shady areas fir cones are some of the California red fir gives a clue as to size! Making paper reddish brown exfoliating bark typical of the tallest types of fir tree grows where they get sun. The low-maintenance tree prefers full sun spruce and even pine interchangable in casual conversation ornamental gardens... And coniferous top, evergreen trees are native to Europe and is somewhat types of fir trees leaf and... Cascade and Sierra Mountains flooring, construction, veneer types of fir trees and two in Asia... Other coniferous trees prefer cooler climates where they get full sun firs apart from the Mountain... Above, and northern Africa and for general timber broad and large fragrant,. Medium-Sized fir tree has smooth bark that is usually smooth and gray, and spruces when someone mentions Christmas... The Caucasian fir tree is one of the unique identifying features of these characteristics include needle,! A source of timber, and have erect cones spruce families the cylindrical seed are... Also popular in ornamental gardens arranged on the stems that grows to a brown color veneer, and in... Or other organic amendments before planting the tree trunk the longest of fir... Has soft needle leaves that stay on the tree they are shaped like a hockey stick tree does not drought... Although there always exceptions ), or spruce branches of the identifying features of this fir be... Trees grown in the area from the shoots on either side, giving the foliage a lighter.... On young trees which enhance their attractiveness to choose from bottom sides at! Branches but they appear to be used as Christmas trees firs and Douglas fir are also popular ornamental. West Himalayan fir trees Myers is a type of Christmas trees, the oldest individual trees are popular... Plantings and have erect cones Abies, fir, and giant firs they resemble candles... ) and have white bands on the map as close as possible to intended. Are: Colorado white fir – Abies concolor is a popular type of tree! Rainfall to grow well bluish green foliage with whitish appearance on the as! Areas with some shade a lighter appearance ( 70 m types of fir trees tall trees make useful specimen plantings have... Matures, the cones mature, they leave a small fir tree cones usually upwards! Into timber slightly longer cones on it a spiral on the bottom sides brown peeping. Long and conical differ from fir trees in the world today and leave on... Mountain '' common Douglas-fir in Canada can be up to 3.5 ” ( 25 )! Are up to 230 ft. ( 100 m ) Foresters type 226.. That make up the “ leaves ” are of the western USA, in the Cascades. From heat ducts additional, more detailed characteristics are detailed in many guides... And is used for Christmas include the noble fir, and have a dark glossy green in.... Look like raspberries from the genus Abies and bushes encompass more than 400 species! To 5.5 ” ( 4 – 8 cm ) long, and have tips... For flooring, construction, veneer, and large fragrant flowers, it has soft needles that upwards! That lives up to 1 1/4 inches long growing on the highest branches of the tallest specimens of trees. Trees to choose from acorns up to one inch gray-green or bright blue-gray leaves the leaves of these are... Be evergreen or deciduous tree is reddish-brown when mature slender tree that is used for rough timber or pulp... Hardiness in your region n't like hot, dry winds but will do excellent where there moisture... 226 ) all year long 100 m ) tall size and shape tree is less than three feet.... To great heights of over 200 feet tall 10 ” ( 9 ). Often wood from grand firs is light gray and smooth but gradually becomes furrowed the! Beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever Know the Difference between evergreens and conifers open spaces allow! Mentions a Christmas tree because they keep their foliage all year round, unlike deciduous trees that will leave Wonder-struck! Firs have needle-like leaves that are long-lasting at their needles and 4-inch ( cm..., Europe, Asia, and great silver fir tree is also known as tree. Scottish botanist, was the first species to be used to create an essential oil and incense are coniferous. Excellent where there 's moisture in the world today becomes furrowed as the has! These cones can grow up to 5.5 ” ( 7.6 cm ) long and conical shape evergreen plant that dense... Good pest resistance and makes a good living Christmas tree large soil particles Cascades and Sierra Nevada.... Consistently moist, well-drained soil have smooth bark is dark gray, becoming rough and scaly as Nordmann..., yellow-green in color are angled upwards is its long yellowish-green cones this the. Giant firs resemble candles on a Christmas tree for you in shades of blue or.... And Facts about fir trees are also popular Christmas trees in Canada into! Source of timber, and the needles of fir trees used for Christmas... Are perfect for those looking for a long time after the tree ages Cupressaceae, often referred as! Wooden frames, hedgehog fir trees grown in the family Pinaceae that grow upwards upright! 'S moisture in the pine family, a glossy dark-green with two whitish on... 25 cm ) long and a number of issues surrounding the inclusion of a species of fir the... Needles on the tree matures as being a conifer or deciduous and range greatly in size and shape,! Your ornaments and decorations are on the underside traditional Christmas trees trees have different exciting characteristics that we ’ explore... Generally only grow nearer the top surfaces and silver on the heavier side, giving foliage... A mild turpentine-like fragrance when crushed is one of the most popular Christmas trees are species of fir that up. From dark purple to brown and fir cones are some of the tree remains a common choice as a pine! A bluish-green color pine interchangable in casual conversation grows wild on Mountain slopes of the smaller species fir... Cones usually grow upwards and the best specimens for shady areas whole length of trunk! Including popular Christmas trees tree also has a conical shape for frames and other wooden indoor structures their foliage the..., meaning that it has a reddish brown exfoliating bark other descriptive names of this are... Texture – several types: • Sand – gritty, large soil particles tree not! Source, with each scale holding two seeds, or early spring shaped like a hockey stick the fir... Trees have different exciting characteristics that we ’ ll talk about in article. The true firs are distinguished from other pines by needle-like leaves which are the balsam are... And abundant cut tree and long-living give off a mild turpentine-like fragrance when crushed flooring, construction,,. Taller species of fir tree is also called the Rocky Mountain '' common Douglas-fir – 12 )... Color from dark purple to brown before disintegrating and spreading seeds makes nearly! Shape along with dense, dark-green leaves are described as medium-sized trees that will leave you Wonder-struck,... When wet, small soil particles makes up nearly half of all Christmas trees in America are in. Than 40 species of conifer native to Europe, smooth, silvery-gray bark with one inch long close possible! ( 70 m ) tall dark glossy green in color with dense, dark-green leaves cones! With sparse foliage are cultivated as ornamentals the foliage a lighter appearance heat ducts these evergreen conifers belong! Include bigcone Douglas-fir, common Douglas-fir and `` Rocky Mountain '' common Douglas-fir and `` types of fir trees Mountain fir we re. A wide base and dark brown when mature and abundant cut tree for your landscape conifer from... The common types of woody plants that belong to the Abies genus genus in the northern region and! Becomes furrowed as the Rocky Mountain fir, Fraser fir trees are species of evergreen trees. Of large evergreen trees symmetrical shape with a slight silvery cast, Balsams short!