Douglas fir (or Doug fir) is the English name applied in common to most evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga which is in the family Pinaceae. The underside of the needles has 2 white stomatal bands giving the foliage a lighter appearance. In scientific categorization, fir trees are actually in a separate category from other trees in the pine family, which includes, pines, firs, larches, etc. Fir, genus of more than 40 species of evergreen trees of the conifer family Pinaceae. The tree is identified by the fact that it has foliage almost the whole length of its trunk. The needles of fir trees tend to be softer than pine or spruce. With waxy, bright green leaves, and large fragrant flowers, it has become a beacon of old time southern hospitality. Noble firs show attractive, smooth, silvery-gray bark with one inch gray-green or bright blue-gray leaves. We’re familiar with trees like Alaskan cedar and western red cedar, but they are cedars in name only. Need a tree that thrives in colder climates? But there are three other species of fir native to Canada — alpine, amabilis and grand — all of which are found in the west. A favorite species for Christmas trees, the noble fir features long needles in a deep blue-green shade. They can grow to between 80 and 195 ft. (24 – 60 m). 01 of 12 The grand fir tree has smooth bark that is grayish brown and becomes scaly as the tree matures. Leaves of this evergreen are flat, soft and tend to grow in bunches. Fir trees are a genus of the evergreen coniferous trees and are also a popular choice for the holiday season. Growing Zones: 3 – 5. The foliage forms a conical shape at the top of the tree. California red fir (Abies magnifica) (click on each photo to enlarge image) Needles: White on both top and bottom surfaces; about 1" long; shaped like a hockey stick. The plants are native to North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. They are native to mountainous regions in cold climates, growing naturally throughout much of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Americas. Some of the tallest types of fir trees can reach impressive heights of 262 ft. (80 m) and some smaller kinds may only be 32 ft. (10 m) tall. Deciduous trees are also known as hardwoods. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. The tree has flattened, shiny, dark green needles up to one inch long, and have white bands on the undersides. This species grows between 35-50 feet (10.5-15 m.). Several species are useful as a source of timber, and a number are cultivated as ornamentals. Although the grand fir is a type of softwood tree, its wood is strong and cut into timber. Loosen compacted soils by digging in compost or other organic amendments before planting the tree. The soft-textured tree has variable color, depending on seed source, with the blue-green types being the most attractive and hardy. Southeast. 18 Mugo Pine. South central. Pines are resinous trees that are related to other types of conifers such as fir trees, cedars, and spruces. The identifying features of these firs are short flattened needles, long purple cones, and bushy foliage. Top needles point forward like ski jumpers; side needles are nearly perpendicular to the twig. Knowing the scientific name of true fir trees can help to identify them. This fir tree lives up to its common name of grand fir because it is one of the tallest trees in the firs (Abies) genus. The grand fir tree is also called giant fir due to its height. In the pine family, true fir trees (genus Abies) include 11 species native to North America. Unlike the clusters of pine needles on a branch, fir tree needles attach individually to the branches and not in clusters or attached to small woody projections. This species grows between 35-50 feet (10.5-15 m.). Its obvious how evergreens got their name; they keep their foliage all year round, unlike deciduous trees that shed theirs in fall. Types include bigcone Douglas-fir, common Douglas-fir and "Rocky Mountain" common Douglas-fir. There are about 50 different wild species of Fir Trees, but only a few are regularly grown in gardens. You usually have the choice of a naturally shaped tree, with a slightly unsymmetrical shape, or a tree sheered into the perfect holiday tree. The blue-green needles are typically 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches long. The majority of these are dioecious, so they require both a male and female plant within pollination distance of each other in order for the female to produce fruits. Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, garden writer and educator with 10+ years of experience in the horticulture and gardening space. The needles on the twigs are dark green on the upper side with 2 white stomata bands on the underside. American mountain-ash. Also called the Rocky Mountain fir, this medium-sized evergreen grows at high altitudes in cold humid climates. The distinctive cones appear in late spring and come in shades of blue or purple. The bark of noble fir trees is reddish-brown when mature. The evergreen conifers have a distinct conical shape, even when mature. This species can tolerate living in a container (as long as it was started in one), so it can be a good choice for a living Christmas tree. The bark of young fir trees is usually smooth and gray. The flattened needs are 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches long, a glossy dark-green with two whitish bands on the bottom sides. As with most fir trees, the long cones grow erect on the stems. The cones are cylindrical in shape, 6” (15 cm) long, and have a reddish-brown color. This tree is sensitive to heat and often struggles in climates warmer than zone 5. West Himalayan Fir trees are native to India and Pakistan. The Balsam Fir Tree. Depending on the tree, there may be a whitish waxy substance on the needles. Holly trees and bushes encompass more than 400 plant species. Planting is best done when the potted tree is dormant in the late autumn, winter, or early spring. The silver fir is slender tree that grows to between 130 and 160 ft. (40 – 50 m) tall. These huge fir trees grow to between 130 and 200 ft. (40 – 60 m) tall and their trunk is 6.6 ft. (2 m) in diameter. For this article, we will discuss the species as a whole. The cones are the fruit of the conifers and fir cones tend to grow straight upward from the branches. Fir trees are woody plants that belong to the genus Abies. Water: Plant in consistently moist, well-drained soil. The cones are blue-green when immature with brown bracts peeping out between the scales. People often use fir, spruce and even pine interchangable in casual conversation. Cones on noble firs are long and cylindrical and can grow to between 4” and 9” (10 – 22 cm) long. Although they look similar to pine trees or spruce trees, the needle like leaves and the types of cones help to tell them apart. This subalpine fir does well in areas with some shade. The soft fir needles stay on the shoots for a long time after the tree is cut. Abies balsamea. Mature cones have soft brown scales. There are five species, two in western North America, one in Mexico, and two in eastern Asia. Also called the Canaan fir, these fir trees are described as medium-sized trees that have a thick sticky aromatic resin. Since there are different types of evergreen trees for different purposes, here is a list of my recommended ones with information and with tips on how to use them in your landscape. 10 Species of Linden Trees for Your Landscape, 40 Species of Pines From Around the World, 9 Species of Fig (Ficus) Trees for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening, 15 Varieties of Japanese Maple Trees With Colorful Foliage, 12 Common Species of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs. Abies, Fir trees are a genus comprised of 66 taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) of evergreen conifer trees. The short, broad needles are up to 3/4 inch long, shiny dark-green on the top surfaces and silver on the undersides. We’re familiar with trees like Alaskan cedar and western red cedar, but they are cedars in name only. This large fir tree is a popular type of fir that lives up to its common name of being noble. Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) (click on each photo to enlarge image) Needles: Green on top and white underneath; about 1" long. This is a magnificent tree which is among the taller species of fir trees. This tree is also known as the Nordmann fir, named after Alexander von Nordmann, a Finnish zoologist. Because the noble’s needles grow upward from particularly stiff branches, they keep everything from ornaments to candy canes to handfuls of tinsel from slipping off. This fir species produces an essential oil with a fragrance of pine. These large evergreens are also widely used for rough timber or paper pulp. Pick from a variety of fast growing evergreen trees to add character to your yard, offer foliage year-round, or drastically enhance your landscape. This tree is one of the best specimens for shady areas. Spruce-pine-fir, or SPF, is that the generic name for a variety of timbers originating from North America. Aug 18, 2014 - Here you will find many types of evergreen trees, along with those that are fast growing and which ones I would recommend...and why! Many trees in the Abies genus come in dwarf varieties, making them especially suited as potted living Christmas trees that can continue to be grown in pots or moved into the landscape after the holiday. It has a conical crown. It’s a convention we see all over the place; tulip poplars aren’t poplar trees and Douglas fir … Firs (Abies) are a genus of 48–56 species of evergreen coniferous trees in the family Pinaceae. 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