Abies nobilis - Noble Fir

The Noble Fir is one of the many plant introductions from North America of the great plant hunter David Douglas. First brought to Britain in 1830, it is the largest of the true firs, hence the common name ‘Noble’. An imposing tree with downward-sweeping grey-blue foliage and large cones which are borne very freely, it makes an impressive specimen tree.

Site and soil

The Noble Fir does best in deep, moist, slightly acidic soils. It copes well in windy sites and in the wild is found on exposed mountain-sides. Some tolerance to shade when young.

Height and spread

After 10 years: 8m x 3m
After 20 years: 15m x 4m

Leaf and bark

The leaves are flattened needles to 3.5cm long, borne flat along the upper side of the branches. They are blue-grey in colour with a strong scent. The bark is pale grey, sometimes tinged purple, splitting into deep cracks with age.

Flower, seed and fruit

The flowers appear in April. The reddish male flowers are borne beneath the leaves, the greenish-yellow female flowers are upright. The large cones, to 25cm, are borne freely even on young trees; they are green, ripening to brown.

Uses

Parkland, woodland, large gardens, specimen tree, commercial forestry. The leaves were once used to make a cough medicine. The close-grained wood is light and very strong and was used in building early aeroplanes and ladders. It is now highly valued in the building industry.

Wildlife

Insects shelter in the plates of the bark. Birds like the Siskin and the Crossbill are attracted to the Noble Fir for nesting sites and for feeding.