White Fir
Abies concolor
Family: Pine (Pinaceae)
Size:130′ – 150′ under ideal conditions; usually about 100′, 3′ – 4′ diameter; max. 200′ by 6′
Age: Mature in about 300 yrs; seldom older than 350 yrs.
Bark: Silver-gray to white (which gives this tree its name); on older trees it is very hard, and rough; 4″ – 7″ thick
Needles: 2” – 3”; grow singly off the branches almost at right angles; flattened, blunt tips
Cones: Usually about 3”-5″ long, olive green to purplish; seldom found on the ground because they disintegrate while they are still on the tree. Cones grow erect on the branches towards the upper reaches of the tree.
Elevation: 6000’ to 9000
Comments: One of the most common trees in the park, but seldom grows in pure stands. Seedlings do not grow well in open sun; young trees found mainly in shade of parent trees (shade tolerant). During the Christmas season, White fir is sold as “silver fir.”
Photo: © Colin Barrows