• Home
  • Coniferous Animals
  • Coniferous Trees
  • About Us
  • Contact
Home > Fir > Fraser Fir

Fraser Fir

Fraser fir is a coniferous tree found in the southern Appalachians in southeastern America at high altitudes between 3,900 ft to 6,683 ft. This fir species, noted for having a strong turpentine scent, exhibit a well-proportioned appearance with good needle retention ability. It has a conical crown consisting of straight twigs that are sometimes angled slightly upwards. The branches of the young trees are more compact and dense compared to those of the matured Fraser firs.

Fraser Fir

Fraser Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Abies
Scientific Name Abies fraseri
Fraser Fir Seedlings

Fraser Fir Seedlings

Quick Information

Other Names Frazier fir/Frasier fir, southern balsam fir
Size Grows up to 10-15 m (30-50 ft); highest, 25 m (80 ft); trunk diameter measures 40-50 cm (16-20 in); broadest 75 cm (30 in)
Leaves Flattened, needle-like, arranged in a spiral manner on the twigs, have broad circular bases; 10-23 mm long, 2-2.2 mm wide; slightly notched and rounded tip; upper surface is glaucous or dark green while the lower surface has two silvery-white stomatal bands
Cones (Strobili) Cylindrical, erect; 3.5-7 cm (1.4-2.75 in) long, 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 in) wide; dark purple when young, turn to light brown as they mature; have pale purple, yellow or green bract scales that are usually resinous
Tree Type Evergreen
Bark Smooth, narrow; it is gray-brown with many resin blisters when immature, but become scaly and cracked with age
Distribution/Range Appalachian Mts. in SW Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina in the US
Hardiness Zones 4-7
Growth Rate Slow to medium; average yearly increase is 8 to 12 inches
Growing Conditions Winter Conditions: Average winter temperature varies between 28° F and 30° F (-2° C and -1° C)

Summer Conditions: Mild summers with temperatures averaging at 60° F (16° C).

Fog: Fog cover in summer is crucial, contributing to precipitation and providing a cooling effect

Rain: Average annual precipitation of 75-100 inches (1,900-2,540 mm)

Sunlight: Full sun as well as partial shade

Soil Requirements: Shallow, rocky, extremely acidic soil supported by a layer of sandy subsoil

Diseases and Pests Older trees are susceptible to heart rots; two-spotted spider mites cause discoloration and loss of needles; the Phytophthora fungus may cause root rot; a significant number of mature trees are killed by the balsam wooly adelgid insects
Flowering/Fruiting Monoecious, with the female flowers being borne on the top of the crown while the male ones below the females; flower buds open during mid May-early June; cones break up when they are 4-6 months old
Seed production Begins when the tree is 15 years old; dispersal of seeds takes place between September and mid-October
Seedling development Epigeal germination; development is good on moss, peat, mineral soil, and litter
Wildlife Value The red squirrel feeds on the terminal buds and seeds, the white-tailed deer occasionally grazes on its leaves and twigs
Cultivars Crosses of Abies fraseri and Abies balsamea have been produced successfully; A. fraseri cv. ‘Prostrata’ is used as an ornamental tree
Uses Offers watershed protection since it binds the shallow soil with the wet mountain slopes; used as a Christmas tree because of its sweet fragrance, green foliage, and beautiful shape; also used for making Christmas wreaths, garlands, candle rings, and centerpieces
IUCN Conservation Status Endangered
Fraser Fir Tree

Fraser Fir Tree

Fraser Fir Images

Fraser Fir Images

Identification and Comparison with Other Firs

Balsam fir vs. Fraser fir: The curved bracts on Fraser firs are longer than the scales of cones while those on balsam firs are comparatively shorter than their cone scales

Douglas fir vs. Fraser fir: Douglas firs grow well over 200 feet and are much taller than the Fraser firs; the branches and needles of Douglas fir are more closely bunched than those of Fraser fir

Fraser Fir Pictures

Fraser Fir Pictures

Fraser Fir Cones

Fraser Fir Cones

Interesting Facts

  • This fir species is named after John Fraser, a Scottish botanist who traveled to the Appalachians during the 18th century, and made several botanical discoveries.
  • The Fraser fir was earlier referred to as the “she-balsam” because the blisters on its bark produce a milk-like viscous secretion or resin.
  • A variety of balsam fir called Abies balsamea phanerolepis, found in North and West Virginia, is considered to be a natural hybrid of Abies fraseri (Fraser fir) with Abies balsamea (Balsam fir).
Fraser Fir Christmas Trees

Fraser Fir Christmas Trees

Fraser Fir Needles

Fraser Fir Needles

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_fir
  2. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/abifra/all.html
  3. https://realchristmastrees.org/education/tree-varieties/fraser-fir/
  4. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/32101/2810241
  5. http://www.wolfcreektreefarm.com/caring-for-a-fraser-fir-christmas-tree.php

Published on February 18th 2016 by admin under Fir.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    • Recent Posts

      • Cedar Tree of Lebanon
      • Eastern Red Cedar
      • Black-backed Woodpecker
      • Eastern Gray Squirrel
      • Bohemian Waxwing
      • Norway Spruce
      • Douglas Squirrel
      • Northern Goshawk
      • Bighorn Sheep
      • Eastern Milk Snake
      • Ovenbird
      • California Redwood
      • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
      • Foxtail Pine
      • Snow Goose
    • Categories

      • Coniferous Forest Animals
      • Coniferous Forest Plants and Trees
        • Cedar
        • Cypress
        • Fir
        • Hemlock
        • Juniper
        • Larch
        • Pine
        • Spruce
        • Yew

© 2023 (Coniferous Forest). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.