Abies pinsapo (Spanish Fir)


Michael's Opinion

A good tree to use as a screen for privacy. Better suited for a less busy residential area or even better a country property. Great for planting in groups, in rows or a vista; one of the best Firs available in my opinion.

Botanical Information

FamilyPineaceae
GenusAbies
Speciespinsapo
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginAs the common name suggests it originated in southern Spain and was introduced to Britain in 1839.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6a - 7b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5a - 7b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-23
Temperature (°F)-10
Height20 - 30 m
Spread5 - 7 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJuly

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA medium-sized evergreen that can be 20 - 30 m tall with a green or silvery blue colour to it. In its native range, it grows on mountain terrain in cooler climates. Normally it is a pyramidal shape but in exposed areas can become irregular in form.
ID CharacteristicNeedles have a radial arrangement on the stem. Usually has a round trunk with a deep crown. Branches are long and ascend in the upper crown and curve in the lower.
ShapePyramidal.
LandscapeAt an early age they can be used as Christmas trees. They excel in cooler climates. Good for group plantings around buildings for screening purposes or specimen use.
PropagationSeed is the main option for propagation. Seed are stratified under cool moist conditions at 5 – 7°C for approximately 14 - 28 days. Cuttings have been rooted but the success rate is not high and on a commercial level this method is not practical.
CultivationRequires well-drained, moist and acidic soils. Grows well in cooler temperatures. Not recommended for city planting because they are not tolerant of air pollution. Pruning should be kept to a minimum. When older branches are removed it is rare for new growth to emerge.
PestsNotable pests and diseases are needle/twig blight, leaf casts, rusts cankers, shoestring root rot, wood decay, balsam twig aphid, bagworm caterpillars, spruce spider mite, and scales.
Notable SpecimensTasmanian Botanical Gardens, Australia. Christchurch Botanical Garden, Christchurch, New Zealand. Niagara Parks Botanic Garden, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatGrows well in mountain and forested terrain; it is quite rare.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark is smooth and grey, as it ages it becomes longitudinally fissured as well as rough and scaly.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionVery resinous, globose buds. Buds can be 4 - 5 mm in length and are triangular with red-brown scales.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are spirally arranged, spreading radially and perpendicular to the branchlet. Leaves can be green or blue-silver and have a rigid, obtuse or acute apex.
Flower DescriptionMale flowers are large and red. Female flowers are smaller than the males and they are a pale green.
Fruit DescriptionCones are 5 - 7 mm long, they are yellow with red or purple microsporophylls. There are lateral pollen cones that crown the branchlets.
Colour DescriptionFoliage is green or silvery blue, purple cones with red and green flowers and grey coloured bark.
Texture DescriptionBark starts off smooth but gets rougher and scalier with age. Branches are stout and quite stiff. Foliage is coarse and sharp.

Photographs