White Fir
Abies concolor
Also known as: Sierra White Fir
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Puncsos
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Coniferophyta | - Conifers
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Genus:
- Abies
- Species:
- Abies concolor
- USDA Symbol:
- ABCO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 4000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, cover for wildlife
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Moderately fire-resistant due to thick bark at maturity. Young trees susceptible to fire damage. Regenerates from seed after stand-replacing fires.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 21–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure after cold stratification. Germination may be erratic and extended over several weeks.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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