Subalpine Fir The Pine Family–Pinaceae
Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.
(AY-beez lay-zee-oh-CARP-uh)
Names: Subalpine Fir is often mistakenly called “Alpine Fir,” Since alpine, by definition refers to the area above the timberline, where no trees can live, this tree is more properly called Subalpine (or below the alpine). Lasiocarpa, means “rough fruit (or cones).”
Relationships: There are about 40 species of true firs in the world, 9 in North America. We have 4 in our region but only the Grand Fir, Abies grandis, is common in lower elevations.
Distribution of Subalpine Fir from USGS ( “Atlas of United States Trees” by Elbert L. Little, Jr. )
Distribution: It is widespread in British Columbia and the Rocky mountains reaching down to Arizona and New Mexico in isolated communities. In our region it is strictly found in the subalpine zone of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.
The tall spire-like growth of Subalpine Fir is an adaptation to withstand heavy snowfall.
Growth: Subalpine Fir can reach 150 feet (45m) but usually only reaches 60 to 100 feet (18-30m). In its natural subalpine habitat, it is often dwarfed and may only grow 1 foot (30cm) in 15 years.
Habitat: Subalpine Fir is adapted to live most of the year under snow and in cold valleys. It can withstand cold air flowing down from large ice fields. This hardy tree may cling to life for 250 years.
Young Subalpine Fir trees will actually bend down under the snow and spring up again after the snow melts in summer.
Wetland designation: FACU, Facultative upland, it usually occurs in non-wetlands.
The bark of Subalpine Fir
Diagnostic Characters: The foliage of Subalpine Fir turns up along its branches, similar to Noble Fir, but the needles are shorter and tend to be bluish-green. The form of the tree is “spire-like,” very pointy and narrow, an adaptation that reduces the amount of snow that is able to build up on its branches.
In the Landscape: Subalpine Firs are very attractive growing in drifts in a simulated alpine setting or rock garden. In fact, entire picturesque clumps are sometimes dug in the wild to be transplanted into a garden or made into a bonsai. Although some trees are dug legally with a permit, it is still better to obtain nursery grown trees and train them yourself.
Phenology: Bloom Period: Late Spring to early summer. Cones mature mid-September. Seed dispersal begins in October.
Propagation: Subalpine Fir can be propagated from seed using the same procedures as for other firs. You may be able to filch a few seeds from a squirrel cache, but be judicious and leave plenty behind!
Use by people: As with other high elevation trees, the wood is not used much due to its relative inaccessibility.
Use by wildlife: Firs are useful to many animals for cover and nesting sites. Grouse eat the needles. Deer and elk eat the foliage and twigs in the winter. Birds, chipmunks and squirrels eat the seeds.
Links:
Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria
WTU Herbarium Image Collection, Plants of Washington, Burke Museum
E-Flora BC, Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia
Jepson Manual, University of California
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
USDA Forest Service-Fire Effects Information System
Virginia Tech ID Fact Sheet + Landowner Fact Sheet
Native Plants Network, Propagation Protocol Database
Native American Ethnobotany, University of Michigan, Dearborn