White Fir

Abies concolor

Also known as: Sierra White Fir

Taxonomy

Division:
Coniferophyta | - Conifers
Family:
Pinaceae
Genus:
Abies
Species:
Abies concolor

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
Red

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Achytonix epipaschia, Acleris gloveranus, Argyrotaenia klotsi, Barbara colfaxiana, Carrot Epiblema Moth (Epiblema radicana), Chionodes abella, Choristoneura sp., cloaked pug (Eupithecia abietaria), Coleotechnites , coneworm moth (Dioryctria ), Cydia bracteatana, Dorsal Argyrotaenia Moth (Argyrotaenia dorsalana), Douglas-fir tussock moth (Orgyia pseudotsugata), Eastern spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana), Egira simplex, Eucosma siskiyouana, Eupithecia catalinata, Eupithecia spermaphaga, Freeman's nepytia (Nepytia freemani), green spruce coneworm (Choristoneura viridis), Mountain Enypia (Enypia griseata), Oslar's Tussock Moth (Orgyia oslari), phantasm moth (Nepytia phantasmaria), Silver-spotted Tiger Moth (Lophocampa argentata), Syngrapha celsa, western spruce budworm (Argyrotaenia provana), Western spruce budworm (Choristoneura occidentalis), white triangle tortrix (Clepsis persicana), white-fir needleminer (Epinotia meritana), Ypsolopha nella, Zeiraphera hesperiana

Reported Fauna Sightings

Hummingbirds: Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope), Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) Butterflies:Sara Orangetip (stella) (Anthocharis sara), Sara Orangetip (stella) (Anthocharis sara), Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus), Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon), Western Pine Elfin (Callophrys eryphon)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers cool, moist environments in mountainous regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are removed from storage and placed in water at room temperature for 12 - 18 hours, then placed in self-sealing, polyethylene baggies and placed in refrigerated conditions (2 to 4°C) for 28 days to satisfy stratification requirements.

Establishment: Entire cones are harvested by hand from trees when they begin to turn tan or brown, prior to scale opening. This typically occurs in early to mid-September within its natural range and slightly later when grown at lower elevations. The species is found from Idaho and Oregon south through California and in the southern Rocky mountains in New Mexico and Southern Colorado.

Source: npn.rngr.net