Red Fir
Abies magnifica
Also listed as Picea magnifica
Also known as California Red Fir, Shasta Red Fir, Shasta Fir
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Fir grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A large, stately evergreen conifer native to high elevations in California with dark green foliage and a narrow, pyramidal form. This slow-growing fir produces attractive purple-red cones and is best suited to cooler climates and higher elevations.
Why grow it
Red fir tolerates higher elevations and colder climates better than many other ornamental conifers, making it valuable for mountain gardens where other species struggle. Its narrow pyramidal form and distinctive purple-red cones offer visual interest without the spreading habit of some firs, and it grows slowly enough to fit long-term landscape plans without aggressive pruning.
Watch out for
Red fir prefers consistent moisture during establishment and may show stress in hot, dry summers even at higher elevations. It generally performs poorly in lowland or warmer regions where summer heat stress can invite pest pressure and disease, so site selection by elevation and climate is critical to success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, California and Oregon
Native to: California, Nevada, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large, stately evergreen conifer native to high elevations in California with dark green foliage and a narrow, pyramidal form. This slow-growing fir produces attractive purple-red cones and is best suited to cooler climates and higher elevations.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Fir grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red fir tolerates higher elevations and colder climates better than many other ornamental conifers, making it valuable for mountain gardens where other species struggle. Its narrow pyramidal form and distinctive purple-red cones offer visual interest without the spreading habit of some firs, and it grows slowly enough to fit long-term landscape plans without aggressive pruning.
Watch out for
Red fir prefers consistent moisture during establishment and may show stress in hot, dry summers even at higher elevations. It generally performs poorly in lowland or warmer regions where summer heat stress can invite pest pressure and disease, so site selection by elevation and climate is critical to success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, California and Oregon
Native to: California, Nevada, Oregon
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.