Pacific Silver Fir, Abies amabilis
Jeff Bisbee Jeff Bisbee Dendrology at Virginia Tech
Range
Pacific silver fir has a range in
Climate, elevation
Pacific silver fir grows in maritime climates with annual
temperatures generally between 16° F and 61° F. Precipitation can vary between
6650 mm on the west coast of
Elevation varies from
1000+m in the southern part of its range to 300+m in the central part of its
range and sea level in its northern range. (7)
Local occurrence (where, how
common)
Pacific silver fir occurs most often on in areas with high
precipitation and moist soils like the mid-slope of the western cascades. It
can remain in the understory for centuries. (6)
Habitat preferences
Pacific silver fir is dependent on adequate soil moisture
during the growing season. It is most abundant on sites where summer drought is
minimal, such as areas of heavy rainfall, seepage, or prolonged snowmelt. (2)
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator,
competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Pacific silver fir is an obligate climax species. It is one
of the most shade-tolerant trees in the Northwest. Small trees are often
abundant in the forest understory. On many sites
Pacific silver fir can eventually outgrow and become taller than western
hemlock or Doug-fir after 100 years. (2)
Associated species
Pacific silver fir is associated with Western hemlock (Tsuga
heterophylla) throughout most of its range. West
of the
May be
collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed. (4)
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
The timing of cone collection (mid to late August) is important because
cones disintegrate as they
mature. Felling and topping are not
successful collection methods. The cones
are susceptible to molding and heat build-up if sacked when wet. (4) Good seed crops generally only occur every 3
years. (2)
Seed germination (needs
dormancy breaking?)
Sow 4 weeks @ 39ºF, move to 70ºF for germination. (3)
Seed life (can be stored,
short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
Up to 5 years. (8)
Recommended seed storage
conditions
Store in drums, cans, or plastic bags near 5º F. Leave
containers unsealed to minimize moisture buildup and prevent mold growth. (8)
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Plant seeds. Cool, moist habitats
are best for germination, but full sunlight produces maximum subsequent growth.
(2)
Soil or
medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Germination can occur on a variety of media: on litter humps
and in moist depressions in the subalpine zone; on
edges of melting snowpack in subalpine
meadows; and in litter, rotten wood, moss, organic soils, mineral soils, and
fresh volcanic tephra. Survival is better on mineral
seedbeds than on organic seedbeds. (2)
Installation form (form,
potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Stock is usually outplanted as 2-3
year old seedlings or 3-4 year old transplants. (8)
Recommended planting density
Seeds should be sown in spring at a density of 62.5 to 125 per acre (25-50 per ha) and approximately 0.25 inch (0.64 cm) deep, depending on the site. (4)
Care requirements after
installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Mulches of sawdust or straw are sometimes used to protect
seedlings during the first winter. (8)
Normal rate of growth or
spread; lifespan
Pacific silver fir takes about 9 years to reach breast height on average sites. Planted seedlings may only grow 1 to 6 inches per year for the first few years after planting with most of the plant’s energy being devoted to root development. After reaching breast height, it may grow up to 35 inches per year. (2) It can eventually grow to heights of 100 to 230 feet and diameters of 36 to 44 inches depending on the site. Pacific silver fir can live up to 400-500 years on good sites, and 250-350 years on more adverse sites. (4)
Sources cited
(1) Bisbee, Jeff. Jeff Bisbee Gallery.
Arboretum de Villardebelle.
http://www.pinetum.org/PhotoJEFFamabilis.htm
(2) Burns, R. and B. Honkala.
1990. Silvics of
(3) The
(4) Cope, Amy B.
1992. Abies amabilis. In: Fire Effects
Information System, [Online].
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/abiama/all.html
(5) Dendrology at
(6) Earle,
Christopher (editor). Abies Amabilis. Gymnosperm Database.
http://www.botanik.uni-bonn.de/conifers/pi/ab/amabilis.htm
(7) Pojar, Jim and Markinnon, Andy. 1994. Plants of The
(8) Young, James and Young, Cheryl. 1992. Seeds of Woody
Plants in the
Data compiled by (student
name and date)
Thane Hill,