Common Name: Momi Fir

General Information

Abies firma is an evergreen tree with a long, narrow crown; it can grow up to 45 metres tall with a straight, cylindrical bole[].
An important timber plant in Japan, where the tree is harvested from the wild and traded. It is cultivated for its timber in Japan[].
Although there has undoubtedly been a decrease in the area of occupancy for this species over the past two or three generations, this is from a large basis and does not cause current concern for the species. 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 - central and southern Japan

Habitat

Hill and mountain forests, where it occurs as scattered trees or small groups over much of its range, with larger stands in the remainder, growing on various mountain soils of volcanic origin or alluvial, and mesic; at elevations to 1,900 metres[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Abies firma is a plant of the temperate zone, growing where the climate is moist or wet - it is cool, with mild winters, in the north of its range, becoming warm temperate in the south, with an annual precipitation above 1,000mm[]. Dormant trees are quite cold tolerant, 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[].
New growth of the side shoots starts in early spring and this is very susceptible to damage by late frosts[, ]. The terminal buds do not open until mid to late spring and these usually escape damage[].
Trees are fairly fast growing when young, sending up new growth of 60cm a year from the age of about 6 years[]. Side shoots grow with equal vigour, however and the tree often loses apical dominance[].
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[].
The cones are produced in axils of the previous year's shoots[].
Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[].

Edible Uses

Seed - roasted[, ]. No more details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to utilize[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not very durable. It requires careful seasoning in order to prevent warping. Easily worked, it is used for carpentry making indoor framing, flooring, joinery, crates, boxes, etc., but the greatest quantities of its timber are converted to paper pulp.[, ].

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[].