Leaves. The needles
of the Concolor fir are a lustrous dark green above, aromatic,
pale beneath, narrow and straight, 1 1/2 to 3" long
curving upward. Bluish green to blue to silver more so on the
upper side. They are flat and soft with a waxy coating similar
to blue spruce. The coating helps retain moisture during times
of low humidity and/or low rainfall.
Flowers.
inconspicuous.
Fruit. The cones of
the Concolor fir are erect as in all true firs, 3-5" long and
1" wide, conical in shape, greenish or purple when new, browning with age and leaving a stem
as the seed fall off. The young cones are in my opinion a real
spring visual treat, be sure to look for them this June.
Winter Buds. Has
large, conical, brown buds.
Bark. Trunks
on Concolor Fir is smooth, gray, on old trees fissured and
scaly.
Wood. The wood is
light, soft, weak, coarse- grain with wide rings and lighter
colored sapwood, not usually considered a lumber tree.
Pests. There are no
major pests .
Distribution.
Concolor or white fir originate in the western states where it
is somewhat invasive. It is found from Colorado to Mexico to
California.
Other.
Concolor make fine
Christmas trees with great needle retention. Low fir is
often considered a variety of Concolor, some consider the low a
hybrid between white and grand fir. Transplants well balled and
burlapped if root pruned since it has a wide shallow root
system. Makes a good substitute for blue spruce in the
landscape. The seed of our swift silver concolor fir is from an
isolated strain of parent trees with the brightest silver-blue
needles.
Cultivars. There
are many cultivars available. 'Compacta' a
dwarf with bright blue needles. "dwarf globe'
grows about 3' high. 'Candicans' A narrow,
upright open habit with long blue needles. Available at
Riches Foxwillow
Pines.
Concolor
Fir, Abies concolor
