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| ## Pacific silver fir {#pacific-silver-fir .Title-Header}             |
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| *Abies amabilis* (Dougl. ex Loud.) Dougl.                             |
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| Plant Symbol = ABAM                                                   |
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Contributed by: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and USDA NRCS National
Plant Data Center

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.2916666666666665in" height="3.4375in"}

Susan McDougal, The Flora of Mt. Adams

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Pacific silver fir is used in urban landscaping and grown commercially
for Christmas trees. When used for landscaping, sufficient space should
be allocated for the relatively large size of mature trees. The soft,
light-weight wood is weak and has low durability. It has been used for
light construction frames, construction plywood, container veneer, and
pulpwood.

The dense growth of Pacific silver fir provides cover and protection
during the winter for wildlife. Old-growth stands provide habitat for
mountain goat, northern spotted owl, Vaux's swift, western red-backed
vole, and the Olympic salamander. Seeds provide food for birds, rodents,
and squirrels, while the leaves of growing shoots are browsed by elk.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Pine Family (Pinaceae). Pacific silver fir is a U.S. native
conifer that ranges from 100 to 230 feet tall and up to 45 inches in
diameter at the base. Like all true firs, it has erect, cylindrical
cones that are borne near the tips of the uppermost branches. Secondary
branches and twigs are typically in pairs, with leaves twisted or curved
so that they tend to lie in one plane. Mature cones are 3.5 to 6 inches
long and purple. Mature trees are erect, conical in outline, with
spreading, spray-like branches and a scaly, gray to whitish bark. Young
shoots have a dense, short, pinkish brown pubescence. Most of the
needle-like leaves range from 0.5 to 1.3 inches long, are bright green,
somewhat flattened, and have notched tips.

*Distribution*: For current distribution, please consult the Plant
Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Native to the Pacific Northwest, Pacific silver fir ranges from southern
Alaska to northern California. Well developed stands are primarily found
at elevations from 1,000 to 7,000 feet on the coastal slopes of the
Cascades. However, in the northern part of its range, stands occur well
below 1,000 feet. Pacific silver fir usually occurs in uniform stands or
associated with western hemlock (*Tsuga heterophylla*). The geographic
range is characterized by a maritime to submaritime climate, with an
annual precipitation between 40 to 260 inches per year, and average
summer temperatures between 57 to 59 degrees F. Plants have a mild frost
tolerance and a low tolerance for frozen soil conditions. Soils are
usually very moist, somewhat acidic (pH 5), and rich in magnesium and
calcium. A thin bark and highly flammable foliage contribute to low
levels of resistance to fire.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

Pacific silver firs reproduce only from seed. Both pollination and seed
dispersal are effected by wind. Plants are capable of self-fertilization
and produce mature cones and seeds two years after pollination. Cones
disintegrate while on the tree and seeds are either dispersed by wind or
small mammals. Cool moist sites are optimal for germination, but full
sunlight produces maximum growth. Germination can occur on a variety of
substrates, including litter, rotten wood, moss, and organic and mineral
soils.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

Management for most fungal diseases involves thinning at least 25 feet
from dead trees and minimizing wounding during logging or trimming.
Treating remaining stumps with fungicide or stump removal after logging
is useful in preventing further contamination. In some cases, removal of
infected trees and trunks should be practiced as soon as disease is
diagnosed. Air drying large stumps often reduces chances of further
infection.

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Pacific silver firs are susceptible to several fungal diseased,
including Annosus root disease (*Heterobasidion annosum*). Infected
trees may show retarded leader growth, sparse and chlorotic foliage,
stem decay, and abortive cones. The most reliable way to detect this
disease is by the presence of fruiting bodies in the duff layer at the
root collar on the outer bark. Trees become infected by rood contact or
by airborne spores falling onto woonds. Other fungal diseases include
Indian paint fungus (*Echinodontium tinctorium*) and laminated root rot
(*Phellinus weirii*). Both can infect stands of trees and result in
patches of damaged or dead trees.

Trees weakened by disease or poor growing conditions may become infested
with fir-engraver beetle (*Scolylus ventralis*), silver fir beetle
(*Pseudohylesinus sericeus*), or fir root bark beetle (*Pseudohylesinus
granulatus*). In large numbers, these beetles may kill entire trees
before any symptoms are observed. Pacific silver firs are also
susceptible to Western spruce budworm (*Choristeneura occidentalis*),
Douglas fir tussock moth (*Orygia pseudotsugata*) infestation. Applying
fertilized and varying the age and density of stands reduces the
infestation. Balsam wooly aphids (*Adelges piceae*) are an extremely
devastating pest to this species. Infected trees appear swollen with
little growth and usually die from the top down within 2 to 3 years. To
prevent further infestation, most trees need to be removed and the site
rplanted with such species as western hemlock.

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

Cone production may begin at an age of 20 to 30 years. Each cone can
produce up to 400 seeds, but the percentage of viable seed ranges from
6.3 to 35 percent. Preferred methods of cone collecting include
extension poles with appropriate pruners. Cones should be collected
between mid and late August or just prior to disintegration. They should
be stored in well-ventilated bags or sacks at temperatures between 70
and 80 degrees until the cones have disintegrated. Seeds can be
extracted mechanically by using screens and then cold-stratified under
dry conditions at temperatures between 10 and 30 degrees F for 4 to 6
months. Germination is best accomplished by placing them in a moist,
well-aerated soil mix at temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees F. Light
enhances germination and development of seedlings. Plant can be grown
either individually in containers or in flats prior to transplantation.
Under field conditions, seed should be sown in the spring at a density
of 62.5 to 125 per acre and approximately 0.25 inches deep. During the
first few years, growth ranges from 4 to 16 inches annually. Fertilizer
combined with thinning enhances growth.

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

Cultivars include a slow-growing, broadly ovoid form, 'Compacta' and a
low-growing, spreading form with horizontal branches, 'Spreading Star.'
Retail nurseries in the Pacific Northwest that stock native shrubs and
trees may carry the cultivars.

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### Arno, S. & R. Hammerly. 1977. *Northwest trees*. The Mountaineers, Seattle, Washington. 222 p. {#arno-s.-r.-hammerly.-1977.-northwest-trees.-the-mountaineers-seattle-washington.-222-p. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

##### Dickman, A. & S. Cook. 1989. *Fire and fungus in a mountain hemlock forest*. Canadian Journal of Botany 67:2005-2016. {#dickman-a.-s.-cook.-1989.-fire-and-fungus-in-a-mountain-hemlock-forest.-canadian-journal-of-botany-672005-2016. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Filip, G. & C. Schmitt. 1990. *Rx for Abies: Silvicultural options for diseased firs in Oregon and Washington*. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Gen. Tech. Report 252. 34 p. {#filip-g.-c.-schmitt.-1990.-rx-for-abies-silvicultural-options-for-diseased-firs-in-oregon-and-washington.-usda-forest-service-pacific-northwest-research-station-gen.-tech.-report-252.-34-p. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

##### Klinka, K., V. Krajina, A. Ceska, & A. Scagel. 1989. *Indicator plants of coastal British Columbia*. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. 288 p. {#klinka-k.-v.-krajina-a.-ceska-a.-scagel.-1989.-indicator-plants-of-coastal-british-columbia.-university-of-british-columbia-press-vancouver.-288-p. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### Krajina, V., K. Klinka, & J. Worrall. 1982. Distribution and ecological characteristis of trees and shrubs of British Columbia. University of British Columbia, Vancouver. 131 p. {#krajina-v.-k.-klinka-j.-worrall.-1982.-distribution-and-ecological-characteristis-of-trees-and-shrubs-of-british-columbia.-university-of-british-columbia-vancouver.-131-p. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Oliver, C. & R. Kenady (eds.). 1982. Proceedings of the biology and management of true fir in the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington, College of Forest Resources, Contribution No. 45, Seattle. {#oliver-c.-r.-kenady-eds..-1982.-proceedings-of-the-biology-and-management-of-true-fir-in-the-pacific-northwest.-university-of-washington-college-of-forest-resources-contribution-no.-45-seattle. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. 2007. *The PLANTS website*. http://plants.usda.gov. Accessed 070117. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. {#usda-nrcs.-2007.-the-plants-website.-httpplants.usda.gov.-accessed-070117.-national-plant-data-center-baton-rouge-louisiana. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By {#prepared-by .Header-3}

Dieter Wilken, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California

##### Species Coordinator {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

Dieter Wilken, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California

##### Edited: 070117 jsp {#edited-070117-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*