A native of Japan where it grows in wet forest in cool, moist soil, Veitch’s Silver Fir is a conical evergreen tree with horizontal branches to the ground. The densely arranged needles are bluish-green with silver undersides and are up to one inch long. Small male and female cones are produced in late spring on the same tree and the seed cones are large, conical, and blue-violet. The bark is smooth and gray. Veitch’s Silver Fir is an attractive specimen tree and good in a park or campus setting. Although the tree is relatively shade tolerant it is not pollution tolerant, and is short-lived. It is sometimes grown as a Christmas tree.
Type: Evergreen tree
Outstanding Feature: Conical form
Form: Conical
Growth Rate: Medium to fast
Bloom: Small male and female cones produced on the same tree in late spring; blue-violet conical seed cones 2-3” long
Size: 50-75’ H x 25-35’W
Light: Prefers full sun but tolerates shade
Soil: Average, moist, well-drained, acidic; does not tolerate high pH; sandy to clay soil suitable
Hardiness: Zones 3-6
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: None of significance
Propagation: Seed; stratification improves germination.
Outstanding Selections:
‘Hedergott” (very dwarf and low spreading) ‘Rumburg’/’Rumburk’ (cushion-shaped; dense, light blue needles)