Abies magnifica
A tall evergreen conifer native to high-elevation western North America, one of the largest true firs with slow growth, striking red bark, lifespans over 300 years, and upright 4–6 inch cones.
Common Names
California Red Fir, Red Fir, Shasta Red Fir, Silvertip Fir, Californian Red Fir, Magnificent Fir, Magnificent Silver Fir
Summary
California red fir is a high-elevation evergreen conifer native to mixed-conifer forests of California, western Nevada, and southern Oregon, where it often forms extensive Sierra Nevada stands. It grows very tall, reaching about 125–200 ft, with a narrow conic crown when young that becomes barrel-shaped with age; bark is reddish-brown and deeply furrowed; needles are blue-green, 2–3 cm long, with a camphorlike odor and glaucous bands on the underside; cones are upright and 15–21 cm long, maturing to brown; it is slow-growing and long-lived.
Best growth occurs in deep, moist, well-drained soils in cooler climates, with full sun but some shade tolerated when young; propagation is by seed, sown in February–March, with germination in 6–8 weeks and stratification improving germination, seeds viable up to 5 years; in cultivation it requires thorough watering during establishment and wind protection for young trees; pests include adelgids and aphids, diseases include honey fungus; used for timber and plywood, and as an ornamental tall tree in landscapes, as well as for Christmas trees.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
125-200 ft
Spread
20–26 ft
Hardiness Zones
Zones 6-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade, tolerant of shade when young.
Soil Type
Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained, moist but not waterlogged soil.
Soil pH
5.5-6.1
Bloom Color
Purple or reddish brown
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Blue-green to silvery blue
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen needle
Growth Rate
Slow to moderate growth; about 0.3–0.6 m per year (1–2 ft/year), slower in harsh high-elevation sites, with slow initial growth followed by rapid post-juvenile growth and then a slowdown.
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Propagation Methods
Seeds (wind-dispersed to 1–1.5 tree heights; stratification 1–2 months; seed storage life under 1 year unless refrigerated)
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts butterflies, attracts birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- A.Murray bis
- Publication
- Proc. Roy. Hort. Soc. London 3: 318. (1863)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Pinophyta
- Class
- Pinopsida
- Subclass
- Pinidae
- Order
- Pinales
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Genus
- Abies
Inferior Taxa
Abies magnifica var. critchfieldii Abies magnifica var. magnifica Abies magnifica var. shastensis
Synonyms
Pseudotsuga magnifica Picea magnifica Abies amabilis var. magnifica Abies campylocarpa Abies magnifica var. argentea Abies magnifica var. glauca Abies magnifica f. glauca Abies nobilis var. magnifica Pinus campylocarpa Picea nobilis var. magnifica Pinus magnifica