Other Names:  Concolor Fir, Colorado Fir

Description:

One of the most beautiful and adaptable firs, but not for every location; better at highter elevations; good bluish or greenish color and neat spire-like shape, excellent for articulation and color in the landscape

Ornamental Features

White Fir or Concolor Fir is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive silvery blue evergreen foliage. The needles are highly ornamental and remain silvery blue throughout the winter. However, the fruit can be messy in the landscape and may require occasional clean-up. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

White Fir or Concolor Fir is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It is a good choice for attracting birds and squirrels to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

White Fir or Concolor Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent

Planting & Growing

White Fir or Concolor Fir will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average conditions that are neither too wet nor too dry. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is native to parts of North America.