This species is closely related to Abies spectabilis (D.Don) Mirb., and has often been treated as no more than a synonym of that species. Abies densa has been resurrected as a distinct species in Farjon A.; World Checklist and Bibliography of Conifers, ed. 2: 1-309. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; 2001[].

Common Name:

General Information

Abies densa is an evergreen tree with a long, narrow crown; it can grow up to 45 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 200cm in diameter[].
A timber tree of importance in the eastern Himalayas, where it is commonly harvested from the wild. The plant also has a range of local medicinal uses.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas - southeast Tibet, Nepal, northeast India.

Habitat

Mixed Deciduous/Coniferous forests, growing on rocky, often steep slopes in the cloud belt, where it is found on a variety of alpine lithosols; at elevations from 2,450 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Abies densa is a plant of higher elevations in the temperate to subtropical zone of the Himalayas, where it is found at elevations from 2,450 - 4,000 metres. The climate is extremely wet, with well marked monsoons and an annual precipitation of more than 2,000mm. The summers are relatively warm, the winters are cold at high altitudes and bring heavy snowfall[]. Dormant plants are very frost hardy, but young growth is susceptible to frost damage.
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[].
Young trees are very slow to establish because they are often damaged by late frosts, it is best to grow the young trees in high shade to get them through this time[, ].
Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent, carminative, expectorant, stomachic and tonic[]. The leaf juice used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis etc[, , ].

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used to treat colds, rheumatism and nasal congestion[].

The leaf juice is antiperiodic[, ].

Other Uses

An essential oil is obtained from the plant, though the report does not give yields or uses[].
The dried leaves, mixed with other ingredients, are used in making incense[].

The wood is used for construction and to make shingles for roofing[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in a greenhouse or outdoors in early spring[]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[, ]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[].