Subalpine Fir
Scientific Name: Abies lasiocarpa
Alternate Name(s): alpine fir, balsam fir, white balsam, white fir, western balsam fir, cork bark fir
Distribution: western North America from southeast Alaska and Yukon southward to California, the Rocky Mountains, and New Mexico
Habitat: 600-3600 meters; lives in cold, humid habitats with cool summers, cold winters, and deep winter snows
Life Span: 150-250 years; trees older than 400 years have been reported
Height: 15-30 meters
Crown Shape: sharp, spire-like; upper portion can be less than one foot in diameter
Branches: have split bark to show reddish-brown layer
Bark: smooth, grayish-white with resin blisters; becomes furrowed when tree grows close to one foot in diameter
Leaves: 2-4 centimeters long; flat, grooved, waxy, bluish-green; turned upward on branch
Cones: 6-12 centimeters long; dark purple; stand upright on topmost branches; scales finely haired
Use(s): rough construction, fuel, Christmas trees; Native American used pitch for sealing canoes
Conservation Status: least concern (IUCN 3.1); population stable
Major Threats: increased fires, overgrazing by livestock
Other Notes: is a forest pioneer; helps provide cover, restore landscape, protect water sources; scientific name means "hairy-fruited," referring to the cones
Alternate Name(s): alpine fir, balsam fir, white balsam, white fir, western balsam fir, cork bark fir
Distribution: western North America from southeast Alaska and Yukon southward to California, the Rocky Mountains, and New Mexico
Habitat: 600-3600 meters; lives in cold, humid habitats with cool summers, cold winters, and deep winter snows
Life Span: 150-250 years; trees older than 400 years have been reported
Height: 15-30 meters
Crown Shape: sharp, spire-like; upper portion can be less than one foot in diameter
Branches: have split bark to show reddish-brown layer
Bark: smooth, grayish-white with resin blisters; becomes furrowed when tree grows close to one foot in diameter
Leaves: 2-4 centimeters long; flat, grooved, waxy, bluish-green; turned upward on branch
Cones: 6-12 centimeters long; dark purple; stand upright on topmost branches; scales finely haired
Use(s): rough construction, fuel, Christmas trees; Native American used pitch for sealing canoes
Conservation Status: least concern (IUCN 3.1); population stable
Major Threats: increased fires, overgrazing by livestock
Other Notes: is a forest pioneer; helps provide cover, restore landscape, protect water sources; scientific name means "hairy-fruited," referring to the cones