European silver fir

Short Description

The silver fir is an evergreen conifer that can grow up to 50 metres high.

The dark green needles have two white stripes on the underside. They are flexible.

The bark is smooth and light grey in the first decades. With age it becomes brownish to dark grey and cracked.

There are male and female flower cones. The male flower cones are spherical and light yellow at flowering time. The female cones are elongated, light green and stand upright on the twigs.

The mature cones are light brown and stand upright. When the seeds ripen, individual scales detach from the cones and fall to the ground. The central stem of the cone remains on the branch for years.

In the city

The silver fir has few demands on its habitat. However, due to pest infestation, browsing by game and overexploitation, its population is in decline in natural habitats and as a commercial forest tree. In the city, it is occasionally planted as a park and ornamental tree.

Due to current developments in climate change, the silver fir is becoming more important again in forestry, as it can withstand drought and higher temperatures comparatively well.