White Fir
Abies concolor
White Fir (Abies concolor) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 50–80 ft tall and 15–30 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Iron chlorosis is common in our alkaline soils.
Colorado nativemedium water50–80 ft tall and 15–30 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Abies concolor 20060624" by Mark Wagner is licensed under CC BY 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/.
- Photo 2: "Abies concolor subsp. concolor crown" by Andrey Zharkikh is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Abies concolor 'Blue Cloak'" by F. D. Richards is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 4: Puncsos
- Photo 5: "Abies concolor 08317" by Walter Siegmund is licensed under CC BY 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/.
- Photo 6: (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Tolerates
- Cool north foundations
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 50–80 ft tall and 15–30 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~30 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- montane
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Frequently asked questions
- Is White Fir good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, White Fir is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does White Fir get?
- It matures to about 50–80 ft tall and 15–30 ft wide.
- How much room does White Fir need?
- Give White Fir about 30 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does White Fir grow into?
- White Fir typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is White Fir hardy on the Front Range?
- White Fir is hardy in USDA 3–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does White Fir need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does White Fir grow?
- White Fir is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does White Fir live?
- White Fir is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is White Fir native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is White Fir deer-resistant?
- White Fir is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
