Common Name: Hinggan Fir

General Information

Abies nephrolepis is an evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it can grow up to 24 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 60cm in diameter[].
This species is an important timber tree in northeast China and Korea, where it is commonly harvested from the wild and traded.
Forming forests over a large region of northeast Asia, the total population of this species is thought to be declining due to logging, though there is an absence of any evidence for significant decline. Logging is the primary threat, especially when accompanied by an increase in fire or grazing so that regeneration is inhibited or prevented. 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 - Manchuria, Russian Far East, Korea.

Habitat

Forests in lower to moderately high montane areas, growing on a variety of well drained mountain soils; it is found at elevations from 500 - 700 metres in the north of its range, to 2,000 metres in the south[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of montane regions in the temperate zone. The climate is cold, with short, cool and moist summers and long, cold winters. Most of the annual precipitation is snow[]. The plants are very cold tolerant when dormant, although new growth is very susceptible to frost damage.
Prefers a good moist but well-drained 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[], but it tolerates more alkaline conditions than many other members of the genus[]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope and in areas with cool wet summers[].
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

None known

Other Uses

The wood is used in carpentry and for plywood and veneer[].

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[].