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Fraser Fir Tree Information
Facts
Fraser Fir - Abies Fraseri
Fraser Fir is named after John Fraser, the Scottish botanist
and explorer who discovered it in the late 18th century.
Fraser Fir Size
Fraser Fir, Abies Fraseri, comes
from the family Pinaceae and is very closely related to the Balsam Fir (A. Balsamea). It is a coniferous evergreen
tree growing to 25m / 82 feet tall with a 75cm / 30-inch diameter trunk. The largest specimen recorded was 26.5m /
87 feet tall with 86cm / 34-inch diameter trunk. They live for an average of 150 years.
Fraser Fir Description
The crown is of narrow pyramidal shape with horizontal branches spreading
6-12m / 20-40 feet. When young, the Fraser fir is compact with dense branches and foliage making it attractive and
a very popular choice of Christmas tree. As the tree ages it takes on a more open, sparse appearance.
Fraser Fir Distribution and Climate
The Fraser Fir distribution
ranges from the southeastern Appalachian Mountains of southwestern Virginia, through western Northern Carolina to
eastern Tennessee. The tree has a shallow root system and prefers a well drained but moist acidic sandy loam
at relatively high elevations of 1200-2000m / 3937-6562 feet in a cool-temperate, rain-forest climate. Being one of
the few trees growing at high elevations it plays an important role in preventing soil erosion, so stabilizing the
surrounding terrain.
Fraser Fir Bark and Leaves
The grey to brown bark is mostly thin and smooth and can become scaly as it ages. It is normal for the bark to show
many resin blisters. Two rows of needle-like leaves form spirally on the twigs. The dark green leaves are 12-25mm /
1/2-1-inch long with two silvery-white bands on the underside. The Fraser Fir leaves give off an odour of
turpentine. Distillation of resin from trees like the pine produces turpentine fluid.
Fraser Fir Cones and Seeds
Young slightly purple
cones maturing to light brown are 3.5-7cm / 1.4-2.8-inches long, upright, cylindrical and resinous with long
reflexed bracts. Cones open in mid-May to early June and ripen from September to mid-October when the mature scales
fall off the cone to release the seeds.
Fraser Fir Commercial Uses - Fraser Fir Christmas
Tree
With a unique and most perfect natural shape coupled with superb fragrant dark green
foliage that has a long needle retention time, the Fraser Fir is widely grown commercially as an excellent, highly
desirable Christmas tree.
Outdoors, its attractive qualities ensure it is popular as an ornamental and has great scenic value. Fraser Fir is
of little economic value as timber due to its limited distribution and occurrence in inaccessible habitat and hence
enjoys a relatively long undisturbed life.
Fraser Fir Tree Information
Facts
Fraser Fir - Abies
Fraseri
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