7 Fascinating Fir Tree Facts You Should Know
Updated: Nov. 28, 2023
Looking to grow an evergreen or just curious about trees? Learn fascinating fir tree facts about these members of the conifer family.
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1. Fir Tree Needles Are Softer
Fir and spruce needles are attached to twigs one by one, while pines grow needles in bunches. Fir tree needles are soft and flat, while spruce needles are stiff and angular.
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2. Fraser Firs Are Long Lasting
Lasting seven weeks or more, Fraser firs typically retain their needles longest after being cut.
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3. Balsam Firs Have a Slow Growth Rate
Balsam firs grow about 12 inches a year, taking nine to 10 years to get to the ideal Christmas tree height. So be patient!
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4. Douglas Firs Tower Over Other Trees
Douglas firs reach a height of 300 feet or more in the wild. Despite the name, this tree is not a true fir, pine or spruce.
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5. Look to the Cones for a Tree Clue
Fir tree cones stand upright from branches rather than hanging down. They vary in size from 1 1/2 to 10 inches.
Learn fascinating facts about conifer trees.
6. Centuries Long Lifespan
Firs are generally long-lived, with the Pacific silver fir sometimes surviving 800 years.
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7. High Elevation Fir Trees
Fraser firs are mountain trees. They grow wild only in the Appalachians at altitudes of 4,500 feet or higher.
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Sources
- https://www.conifers.org/pi/Abies_amabilis.php
- https://www.dnr.wa.gov/publications/lm_hcp_west_oldgrowth_guide_psf_hires.pdf
- https://ipm.missouri.edu/MEG/2018/12/coneBearingPlants/
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1106
- https://gardentherapy.ca/pick-the-best-christmas-tree
- https://www.farmersalmanac.com/popular-christmas-tree-varieties-29268
- https://www.gardenguides.com/12321051-balsam-fir-tree-facts.html
- https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1105Â
- https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/abies/fraseri.htm
- https://ncchristmastrees.com/fraser-fir-trees/Â
- https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pseudotsuga-menziesii/
- https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-andFungi/Douglas-FirÂ
- https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2005/nov/061401.htm
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pine_spruce_or_fir_getting_to_know_michigan_evergreen_trees
Originally Published: November 28, 2023
