Abies alba (European Silver Fir)

Also known as: Common Silver Fir

Native: Central European mountains 800-1800m altitude

Cultivated for timber but easily damaged by early frosts and greenfly attack. Grows slowly for the first 6 years, then rapidly, gaining as much as 1m per year to a height of 45m and a girth of 5m.

Foliage

Needles are white backed and notched at the tip.

Pollen and Seed Cones

No sample available

Male cones are grouped below previous years growth, shedding pollen in April. Female cones are green at first developing into mature cones.

Mature Cones

Mature cones are 12cm x 3cm red-brown when ripe with down curved toothed bracts.