Common Name: West Himalayan Fir

General Information

Abies pindrow is an evergreen tree with a narrow, conical crown; it can grow more than 60 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 240cm in diameter[].
An important timber tree in the western Himalayas, where the tree is commonly harvested from the wild and traded.
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 - western Himalayas from Afghanistan to western Nepal.

Habitat

Montane forests, sometimes in pure stands, growing on alpine lithosols and generally favouring northern aspects and shady localities; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,000 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Abies pindrow is found in the montane to subalpine zones in the western Himalayas, where it can be found at elevations up to 3,300 metres. The climate is cool, moist monsoon with abundant precipitation, much of it falling as snow[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 24°c, but can tolerate 2 - 32°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -10°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,100 - 2,500mm[].
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 with a pH of about 5.5 - 6.5, but can tolerate 5 - 7.5[, ]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[].
Young trees can be 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[, ]. Another report says that trees are late coming into growth and so usually escape late frost damage[].
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

A pale yellow aromatic oil is obtained from the leaves[].

The wood is light in weight, soft, not very durable. It is used in construction, particularly for interior work such as floor boards, ceilings, and stairs; it is also often used for cases, tea boxes, furniture and water troughs[, , , ]. A useful timber tree for building purposes, the wood is also used for making matches and paper pulp[].
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[].