Common Name: Subalpine Fir

General Information

Abies lasiocarpa is an evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it usually grows up to 30 metres tall, occasionally to 45 metres, with a straight, cylindrical bole[].
The tree is little used commercially for its timber, though it has a wide range of traditional uses as a food, medicine and source of materials. It has occasionally been planted as a timber tree in northern Europe[].
This is the most widespread fir, after Abies balsamea, in North America. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - Alaska to Arizona and New Mexico

Habitat

Often found in poor and rocky soils[], it is rarely seen below 600 metres. It grows in forests right up to the timber line where it is no more than a shrub on exposed slopes at high altitudes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Abies lasiocarpa is a plant of the temperate zone, where it can grow at elevations up to the subalpine region. The climate is everywhere cold, but is humid in the northwest of its range and dry in the south. Precipitation varies between 500 - 3,000mm annually[]. Dormant plants are very cold tolerant, but young growth is susceptible to frost damage. Although it is very cold-hardy, in areas with milder winters it becomes susceptible to damage by aphis and late frosts[, , ].
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. 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[].
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[].
The crushed foliage has a balsam aroma[].

Edible Uses

The shoot tips are used as a tea substitute[, ].

The cones can be ground into a fine powder, then mixed with fat and used as a confection[]. It is said to be a delicacy and an aid to the digestion[].

The resin from the trunk is used as a chewing gum[]. It is said to treat bad breath[].

Inner bark[]. No more information is given, but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used with cereal flours when making bread etc[].

Seeds[]. No more information is given, but the seeds are very small and fiddly to use. Seeds of this genus are generally oily with a resinous flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked[].

Medicinal

The gummy exudate that appears on the bark is antiseptic[, ]. It can be soaked in water until soft and then applied to wounds[].
An infusion of the resin has been used as an emetic to cleanse the insides[]. The resin has also been chewed to treat bad breath[].
A decoction of the bark is used as a tonic and in the treatment of colds and flu[].

A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat chest colds and fevers[]. An infusion has been taken to treat the coughing up of blood, which can be the first sign of TB, and as a laxative[].

Other Uses

The fragrant young leaves and twigs are used to repel moths or are burnt as an incense[, , , ]. They were also ground into a powder and used to make a baby powder and perfumes[, ].

A gum is obtained from the bark. It is antiseptic[, ] and was chewed by the N. American Indians in order to clean the teeth[]. It was also used as a caulk to plug holes in canoes[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a hair tonic[]. The leaves can also be placed in the shoes as a foot deodorant[].

Wood - light, soft, not strong. It is used locally for construction timber, doors, window frames, boxes and other such products, but the wood tends to be knotty (the tree generally retains its branches since it usually grows in open stands). The native North Americans used it for making chairs and insect-proof storage boxes[].
The wood is used as a fuel and is said to burn for a long time[].

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[].