Abies lasiocarpa
Common name: 
Subalpine Fir
Rocky Mountain Fir
Alpine Fir
Pronunciation: 
A-bez la-si-o-KAR-pa
Family: 
Pinaceae
Genus: 
Abies
Type: 
Conifer
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Conifer, evergreen, medium size to large trees, up to 100 ft (30 m) high, crown narrow, dense, branches short drooping.  Leaves grayish-green to light bluish-green, crowded, curving upward on upper twigs, sometimes 2-ranked, 25-40 mm long, flat, stomatal lines on both surfaces.  Cones erect, barrel shaped, 4-10 cm long, grayish-brown, resinous.
  • Sun or partial shade.  Often loses its picturesque shape in low land gardens.  Best if grown in a cool, moist situation in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4         Native range extends from the Yukon of Canada and Alaska southeast to southern New Mexico.  A high-altitude species, most common near the timberline, uncommon near the Pacific Coast.  (A. l. var. arizonica (Cork Fir) is a medium-sized to small tree that has creamy white, corky bark, native to mountains of Arizona.)  A few cultivars, 'Compacta' (syn.? 'Arizonica Compacta') being the most common.
  • lasiocarpa: with rough cones
  • Portland, Oregon: Hoyt Arboretum.
  • Oregon State University campus:  NE Peavy Forest Science, Jefferson Way and 30th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • plant habit, shaded

    plant habit, shaded

  • branch, needles

    branch, needles

  • branchlets

    branchlets

  • branchlet

    branchlet

  • branchlet

    branchlet

  • needle attachment

    needle attachment