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Abies procera
Abies procera Rehder
Noble Fir
Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Synonym(s): Abies nobilis
USDA Symbol: ABPR
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
An 80-200 ft. evergreen with short branches, Noble fir has red-brown, deeply-fissured bark; blue-green needles; and purplish, oblong-cylindric cones. The straight, massive trunk may be devoid of branches for up to 100 ft. from the ground. The largest native true fir, with conical crown rounded at tip and with short, nearly horizontal branches. The crown is rounded and disproportionately small.
A handsome tree with large, showy cones mostly covered by papery bracts, Noble Fir was named by the Scottish botanical explorer David Douglas (1798-1834). It is the tallest true fir; the champion in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in southwestern Washington is 278' (85 m) high, has a trunk circumference of 28' (8.6 m), and has a crown spread of 47' (14 m).
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Monoecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to more than 200 feet tall.
Leaf: Dark Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , GreenBloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CA , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: N. CA to Chelan Co., WA
Native Habitat: Well-drained, sunny areas from 3000-5000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Well-drained, mesic soils.
Conditions Comments: Slow-growing to 90 ft., noble fir adapts well to garden culture.
Propagation
Description: This species is propagated from seed. In nature, Abies seeds often germinate on melting snow fields.Seed Collection: Cone scales bear two seeds at the base. Mature seed has a large wing and is ovoid to oblong. Seeds can be damaged easily. Seeds store best in a dry, cool environment.
Seed Treatment: A 2-4 week period of cool, moist stratification improves germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Abies procera in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Abies procera in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Abies procera
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-11-16Research By: NPIS