Silver fir is a large, needled evergreen in the Pinaceae (pine) family that is found growing in higher altitude forests in Europe, where it was used as a popular Christmas tree. This conifer has a long life-span and is the largest tree of the genus. Silver fir is tolerant of some shade and it prefers rich deep well-drained soil, though it grows in a wide range of pH and soil types. It forms a deep taproot and provides stability to surrounding soils. This tree is sensitive to air pollution. The silvery-white needles resemble teeth on a comb and add interesting contrast in the landscape, but this tree gets quite large, so be sure to have room for its mature size. Use as a barrier, a specimen or screening for privacy. It will do best in cool summer and mountainous areas. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insects and fungi can attack stressed trees.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
more than 60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
This plant has leaves that are needle-like, flattened 0.8 to 1 inch long, and 0.8 inch wide with a notch at the tip. Needles are spaced regularly along branches in two groups pointing toward the branch tip. There are two longitudinal stripes on the underside. Needles appear white or silver when viewed from afar.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plant has erect cones which are 4–7 inches long 1–2 inches wide with 100–200 scales containing two, winged seeds. Cones start out bronze-green and disintegrate as they turn dark brown at maturity.
Bark color
Dark Gray; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is dark gray and smooth with resin blisters and square plates when mature. The stems are scaly though.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Stem detail
The mature stems are gray with a scaly texture. The older stems are brown and rough. Twigs are pubescent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
Lumber used for construction and furniture.
Landscape Use
Design feature
Barrier; Border; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#needled evergreen #silver leaves #evergreen tree #evergreen #conifer #Christmas trees #gray-green leaves #large tree #air pollution intolerant #long lived #woodland #hortcontest