Abies alba (European silver fir)

Botanical name

Abies alba

Other names

European silver fir, Christmas tree, Silver fir, Single spruce, White spruce, Abies pectinata, Christmas tree fir

Genus

Abies Abies

Species

A. alba - A. alba is a vigorous, columnar, evergreen, coniferous tree with flattened, needle-like, glossy, dark green leaves, banded white beneath. Upright, cylindrical, pale brown cones disintegrate when mature to release winged seeds.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Narrowly columnar

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Colour

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Adelgids , Aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

No pruning is needed.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Abies alba (European silver fir) will reach a height of 50m and a spread of 15m after 20-50 years.

Suggested uses

Low Maintenance, Architectural

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, slightly acid soil. Best in full sun but tolerates shade though mature size will be reduced. Does not tolerate strong, drying winds or air pollution.

Soil type

Clay, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Abies alba (European silver fir)

Common pest name

Scientific pest name

Ips subelongatus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Pest of conifers with EU regulation helping to mitigate against the entry on conifer wood from non-European sources. Also present in European Russia with a similar range to Ips typographus; for which the UK has a protected zone with requirements on conifer wood.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Abies alba (European silver fir)

Common pest name

Dothistroma needle blight; Red band needle blight

Scientific pest name

Dothistroma septosporum

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Fungal pest of pine; already present in UK of particular concern in Scotland

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Abies alba (European silver fir)

Common pest name

Bud worm; western black-headed; Western black-headed budworm

Scientific pest name

Acleris gloverana

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Effectively mitigated by current regulations prohibiting imports of the hosts from the country of origin.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/