Colorado Concolor White Fir
Abies concolor
Colorado Concolor White Fir
Abies concolor
How are the heights measured?
All tree, and nothin' but the tree! We measure from the top of the soil to the top of the tree; the height of the container or the root system is never included in our measurements.
What is a gallon container?
Nursery containers come in a variety of different sizes, and old-school nursery slang has stuck. While the industry-standard terminology is to call the sizes "Gallon Containers", that doesn't exactly translate to the traditional liquid "gallon" size we think of. You'll find we carry young 1-gallons, up to more mature 7-gallons ranging anywhere from 6 inches to 6ft.
How does the delivery process work?
All of our orders ship via FedEx Ground! Once your order is placed online, our magic elves get right to work picking, staging, boxing and shipping your trees. Orders typically ship out within 2 business days. You will receive email notifications along the way on the progress of your order, as well as tracking information to track your plants all the way to their new home!
Why are some states excluded from shipping?
The short & sweet answer is: "United States Department of Agriculture Restrictions." Every state has their own unique USDA restrictions on which plants they allow to come into their state. While we wish we could serve everyone, it's for the safety of native species and helps prevent the spread of invasive disease & pests. We've gotta protect good ole' Mother Nature, after all.
About Me
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The Colorado White Fir is a spectacular large conifer especially suited for colder parts of the country. It is hardy to minus 40 degrees, and loves cold winters and cool summers. It grows into a dramatic spire-like tree, with a strong central trunk and horizontal branching. It usually grows to around 40 feet tall in gardens, although it can eventually grow over 100 feet tall. However, it is narrow in profile, and rarely exceeds 20 feet in width. The long needles are an elegant pale blue-green color, and the large cones are dramatically purple in winter. Plant this wonderful tree as a specimen in a larger lawn, as boundary markers on your property line, or as part of a collection of beautiful trees. It makes the perfect Christmas tree too, always perfectly proportioned and symmetrical.
- Dramatic specimen conifer
- Beautiful soft blue-green needles
- Large barrel-shaped purple cones
- Thrives in the coldest places
- Perfect outdoor Christmas tree
Plant the Colorado White Fir in well-drained soil – it loves sandy, gravelly soils, as long as they are not also dry. Mature trees have some resistance to drought, but this tree grows best with a good supply of water. It does not grow well in clay soils. It has no significant pests and diseases, and thrives even with winter temperatures down to minus 40 degrees. If you live in a cold area and are tired of the same old blue spruce in every garden, plant this beautiful fir tree for something different and extremely attractive. The perfect lawn specimen for your garden.
- Plant Hardiness Zones 3-7
- Mature Width 20-35
- Mature Height 40-120
- Sun Needs Full Sun, Partial Sun
Those who live and garden in cold regions often feel they miss out on beautiful plants – and sometimes they do. On the other hand, they can grow some beautiful trees that will not grow well in warmer areas, including many majestic conifers that need cool conditions to thrive. The Concolor White Fir is one of these – an outstanding tree that will grow in the coldest parts of the country magnificently, but does poorly anywhere warmer than zone 7. This still means that a large number of American gardeners can grow this marvelous tree, with its beautiful spire-like narrow form, perfectly symmetrical horizontal branching, and dense, blue-green needles. Older trees are decorated with large, upright purple cones in winter, like natural Christmas decorations.
Growing Colorado Concolor White Fir Trees
The Colorado White Fir is a relatively slender, conical tree with a strong central stem, clothed in branches coming off the trunk like spokes from a wheel. These branches grow horizontally when young, and in time the older, lower branches begin to lean downwards, creating a dramatic appearance to the tree. The needles are 2 ½ inches long, flattened, and a pale shade of blue-green. They radiate from the branches in two main groups from either side, with the lower needles curving upwards. This is different from spruce trees, where the needles are uniform in all directions around the stems.
The needles of this tree are the same color on both sides, which is unusual in needle trees, where one side is usually darker. This difference is where the tree gets it botanical name, since ‘concolor’ means ‘same color’. The cones are large, 4 to 6 inches long, and fat, like a barrel. They stand upright on the stems, and begin a greenish-yellow color, turning brown in time and eventually becoming a dramatic purple color. They really stand out when the branches are dusted with snow. The bark of this tree is gray, and thin and smooth on young trees. As the trees age the bark becomes thicker, and develops deep fissures and cracks, which show yellow cork in the lower parts.
Uses on Your Property
The Concolor White Fir is a remarkable specimen tree, perfect for placing on a large lawn, or in the corners of your property. It can be planted on slopes or level ground, and it can also be used as a row, for wind-breaks, privacy screens or boundary markers. Younger trees make fantastic Christmas trees, and they can of course be decorated with lights. The purple cones themselves also add to the festive appearance of this tree.
Planting Location
Plant the Colorado White Fir in rich soil that is well drained. Sandy or gravelly soils are excellent for this tree, which develops a deep root system. Slightly acidic soils are best, and although moist soils are best, established trees have some drought tolerance. It does not grow well in heavy clay. It grows well in areas with long winters, and it is hardy to minus 40 degrees with no problems at all. It does not enjoy hot, humid summers, and so it is not suitable for areas warmer than zone 7. It grows very well in the mid-west, and does better in rural and suburban locations than in the center of cities.
History and Origins of the Colorado Concolor White Fir
The Colorado White Fir (Abies concolor) grows naturally on mountain slopes, in higher areas between 3,000 and 9,000 feet above sea level. It can be found in the mountains of the western USA, in the southern Cascades and Sierra Mountains, from Oregon to southern California. It also grows in the Rocky Mountains from southern Idaho to Arizona and on into New Mexico. It is closely related to another native fir tree, the Grand Fir (Abies grandis).
The timber is used for construction. It does not split or twist, it is light in weight, and it holds nails well. It was first discovered for science by the explorer William Lobb around 1850, as part of his exploration of California. Our trees are grown from seed taken from the finest specimens of this magnificent tree, and carefully grown in a nursery environment, in containers for their whole life. These trees are far superior to ones grown in open fields, which are roughly dug and potted, and then sold cheaply. Such trees do not transplant well, and will often develop poorly and eventually die.
