For several days a year, family life revolves around the Caucasian Abies nordmanniana fir.It is difficult to imagine Christmas without a resin-scented Christmas tree, decorated with shiny Christmas balls, candies in colorful wrappers and flickering lights. Now more and more often the traditional spruce tree is replaced by the Caucasian fir.
It has the advantage over spruce that it does not shed needles and stays fresh longer. Picturesque trees with shiny dark green needles are less common in gardens.Older specimens of most fir species are huge trees. Caucasian Fir reaches a height of 40-50 m with a trunk diameter of about 2 m.
However, there is room for other species in a medium-sized garden. Korean fir Abies koreana grows very slowly and reaches a height of 8-10 m and a width of 3 m.It owes its attractive appearance to shoots densely covered with needles and unusual purple cones that grow vertically.Therefore, it is hardly surprising that that gardeners for many years made efforts to grow its new and beautiful forms.
Among them there is the 'Silberlocke' variety with a maximum height of 2 to 5 m. The cones are initially purple, but turn brown as they mature.Many varieties of Korean fir are distinguished by a very dense habit, and the lowest and the slowest growing ones can be successfully grown even in containers.
Dwarf varieties are also among other fir species. These include the Caucasian fir Abies nordmanniana.Its low form of 'Brevifolia', known from the second half of the 19th century, reaches a height of 4 m after approx. 50 years. A valuable species with great decorative value is the Californian fir Abies concolor.The large tree from North America looks great as a single-growing specimen.On the other hand, the cultivar 'Glauca Compacta' selected in breeding grows to a height of only 3 m .
Most species and varieties of fir, regardless of their size, have very similar requirements. They prefer a sunny or slightly shaded position.Most often they like a substrate that is not too heavy, constantly and evenly moist, as well as acidic and rich in nutrients.In contrast to spruce, firs root deep, therefore they grow poorly in shallow soils.
Fir belongs to the conifers that we do not prune. In the case of old, tall trees, the lower, oldest branches can be removed if necessary. You should absolutely avoid shortening the side shoots, as well as cutting the tops.Growing in optimal conditions, well-cared for tree will enjoy its appearance for many decades and decorate the garden not only during Christmas.
