Habitat

• native to Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States
• zone 4

Habit and Form

• evergreen tree
• 30' to 40' tall by 20' to 25' wide
• pyramidal in shape with horizontal branches
• dense when young, more open with age
• fine to medium texture
• slow growth rate

Summer Foliage

• 0.5 to 1" long needles
• resinous buds
• dark green with 2 broad stomatal bands on underside
• entire margins
• needle apex is notched
• needles densely cover stem
• pine scented

Autumn Foliage

• no fall color (evergreen)

Flowers

• no ornamental value
• monoecious

Fruit

• tan to medium brown cones
• purple when immature
• ovoid, 1.5" to 2.5" long and about half as wide
• bracts bend downward and cover scales
• cones shatter on tree soon after maturity

Bark

• smooth, dull green bark turning brown and platy with age
• many resin blisters
• new stems are gray to light brown, very resinous

Culture

• easily transplanted with root pruning
• prefers moist, well-drained loam
• full sun is best
• does better in dry conditions than Abies balsamea
• prefers cooler climates

Landscape Uses

• a favored Christmas tree
• accent or specimen
• decoration

Liabilities

• dislikes high pH
• performs poorly in excessively hot and dry situations
• often damaged by deer

ID Features

• needles have notched tip
• branched held horizontal and relatively short
• dense short needles
• circular leaf scars
• resinous buds

Propagation

• by seed, stratification period beneficial for good germination

Cultivars/Varieties

'Klein's Nest' - A compact, dwarf form not exceeding 3' tall and featuring short needles and small purple cones.

'Prostrata' - A slow-growing selection reaching only about 5' tall and is 10' wide. Develops a nice spreading shape that hugs the ground.