White Fir
Abies concolor
Also listed as Picea concolor, Pinus concolor
Also known as Concolor Fir, Colorado White-fir, Colorado Fir
Climate Match for your location
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White fir is a large evergreen conifer with soft, silvery-blue needles and a graceful pyramidal form. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it an excellent windbreak or specimen tree for cool to moderate climates.
Why grow it
White fir is notably tolerant of warmer, drier conditions than many true firs, making it a useful choice for mid-elevation and transitional zones where other fir species struggle. Its soft, bluish foliage and narrow crown occupy less lateral space than comparably sized conifers, useful where width is constrained. It performs well as a windbreak or visual screen in regions with moderate to cool summers and adequate winter chilling.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; mature trees are drought-tolerant but perform better with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells. The species prefers slightly acidic soil and may show nutrient deficiency symptoms in highly alkaline conditions. Damage from heavy, wet snow can bow or split branches, particularly on younger specimens with softer wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western United States (Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Range)
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
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
White fir is a large evergreen conifer with soft, silvery-blue needles and a graceful pyramidal form. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it an excellent windbreak or specimen tree for cool to moderate climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Fir grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White fir is notably tolerant of warmer, drier conditions than many true firs, making it a useful choice for mid-elevation and transitional zones where other fir species struggle. Its soft, bluish foliage and narrow crown occupy less lateral space than comparably sized conifers, useful where width is constrained. It performs well as a windbreak or visual screen in regions with moderate to cool summers and adequate winter chilling.
Watch out for
Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment; mature trees are drought-tolerant but perform better with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells. The species prefers slightly acidic soil and may show nutrient deficiency symptoms in highly alkaline conditions. Damage from heavy, wet snow can bow or split branches, particularly on younger specimens with softer wood.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Pinaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western United States (Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Range)
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
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
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