Abies koreana (Korean Fir)

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusAbies
Specieskoreana
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginFirst grown in North America in 1908. Seed was also collected by E.H Wilson from Korea in October 1917.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone4a - 7a
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH5 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-29 -(-12)
Temperature (°F)-20 - 10
Height4.5 - 9 m
Spread2 - 4 m
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionSlow growing, with most specimens being somewhat dwarf. It is slightly more heat tolerant than many firs but still does best in cold climates.
ID CharacteristicA small tree that is remarkable for its stubby foilage and bearing a profusion of ornamental cones even while still very young. The cones are 4-6 cm long, rich violet-purple and stand upright above the foliage.
ShapePyramidal.
LandscapeSlightly more heat tolerant than many firs but still performs best in cold climates.
PropagationBy seed or grafting.
PestsBalsam woolly adelgids, bark beetles, spruce budworms, aphids, bagworms, spider mites, root rots, needle rust and twig blight.
Leaf DescriptionNeedles are thickly set on the stem, 1-1.5 cm long, and are notched or rounded at the broadest point of the needle.
Fruit DescriptionRich violet purple cones, turning beige at maturity: they are 3.5-7 cm long. In Korea, some cones are found to be green.
Colour DescriptionNeedles are dark green above and whitish beneath. Easily recognizable for its rich violet-purple cones.

Photographs