Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabilis)

Pacific Silver Fir

(Abies amabilis)

Ellyne Geurts

Public Domain

Image By: Ellyne Geurts

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Abies amabilis, commonly known as Pacific Silver Fir, is an evergreen tree native to the moist, cool forests and subalpine areas of the Pacific Northwest, including the Cascade Range and the coastal mountains of Washington and Oregon. It can also be found in parts of British Columbia. This tree typically grows to 30–45 meters (98–148 feet) in height, with exceptional specimens reaching up to 72 meters (236 feet) tall, and has a trunk diameter of up to 1.2 meters (3 feet 11 inches). The bark on younger trees is light grey, smooth, and adorned with resin blisters, becoming more rugged with age. The needles are a distinctive feature, with a silvery-white underside that gives the tree its common name.

Pacific Silver Fir is valued for its stately appearance and is often used as an ornamental tree in large parks and naturalistic landscapes. It is known for its longevity, with some trees living over 400 years. The tree’s preference for cool, humid summers restricts its cultivation to regions with similar climates. It adapts to a range of soil drainage conditions and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. While it is not commonly used in urban settings due to its large size, it is an excellent choice for reforestation projects and habitat restoration. Potential problems include susceptibility to root rot in poorly drained soils and infestations by insects such as balsam woolly adelgid.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 50-120 feet
Width: 30-40 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden

Natural Habitat

Moist, cool forests and subalpine areas of the Pacific Northwest, including the Cascade Range and the coastal mountains of Washington and Oregon, and parts of British Columbia

Other Names

Common Names: Cascades Fir, Lovely Fir, Red Fir, Cascade Fir, White Fir, Amabilis Fir, Purpur-Tanne, Purpurtanne, Sapin Amabilis, Sapin Gracieux

Scientific Names: , Abies amabilis, Pinus amabilis, Abies grandis var. densifolia, Picea amabilis,

GBIF Accepted Name: Abies amabilis Douglas ex J.Forbes