Woody > Abies > Abies squamata > Abies squamata
Abies squamata
Scaley Fir
Origin: China - Gansu.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Abies squamata is an upright conifer with dark blue-green needles and a silvery underside. It's a great evergreen tree for house hold landscapes; it can with stand very low tempatures and is low maintenance.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Abies |
| Species |
| squamata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6a – 6b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 7a – 7b |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23 to -20 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -10 to -5 |
| Height |
| 12 m |
| Spread |
| 4.5 – 6 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Abies squamata is an upright conifer with dark blue-green needles with silvery undersides. Brown exfoliating bark gives winter interest. Prefers full sun in well-drained soil. |
| Cultivation |
| Abies squamata prefers moist but not water-logged soil; grows well in heavy clay soils. Abies squamata is very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in shade. |
| Shape |
| Rounded shape evergreen tree. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Abies squamata has coniferous-like leaves and brown exfoliating bark. The fruits are cones. |
| Pests |
| Leaf Miner that tunnel between upper and lower leaf surfaces. A female adult can lay several hundred eggs inside the leaf. |
| Habitat |
| Forests in very dry regions of China. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Reddish-brown exfoliating bark which offers winter interest. |
| Leaf Description |
| Abies squamata has coniferous leaves with a cushion-like base. The leaves are arranged opposite from one another. 1.5 – 2.5 cm long needles. |
| Flower Description |
| The flowers are monoecious and are pollinated by wind. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruits are 5–6 cm long ovate cones. |
| Colour Description |
| Dark blue-green needles with silvery undersides. Brown exfoliating bark. |
| Texture Description |
| Exfoliating bark. |
| Propagation |
| Seed propagation in early February in greenhouses; germination is usually poor, taking about 6 - 8 weeks. |
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
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