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added some info from AHS
* '''Section ''Abies''''' (central, south & east Europe, Asia Minor)
* '''Section ''Abies''''' (central, south & east Europe, Asia Minor)
**''[[Sicilian Fir|Abies nebrodensis]]'' - Sicilian Fir
**''[[Sicilian Fir|Abies nebrodensis]]'' - Sicilian Fir
**''[[Silver Fir|Abies alba]]'' - Silver Fir
**''[[Silver Fir|Abies alba]]'' - Silver Fir, European Silver fir (syn. A. pectinata). Columnar tree having dark green leaves, the undersides of which are silver, up to 1 inch (2.5cm) long. The leaves are in a v-shape arrangement on the shoots. Cones are cylindrical and yellow-green, then turn brown as they ripen to 4-6 inches (10-15cm) with protruding bracts.
**''[[Bulgarian Fir|Abies borisii-regis]]'' - Bulgarian Fir
**''[[Bulgarian Fir|Abies borisii-regis]]'' - Bulgarian Fir
**''[[Greek Fir|Abies cephalonica]]'' - Greek Fir
**''[[Greek Fir|Abies cephalonica]]'' - Greek Fir
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
Grow in fertile, well drained moist soil. Full sun. Soil should be neutral to slightly acidic. Some wind shelter. Most tolerate shade and do best where summers are cool.
==Propagation==
==Propagation==
Cylindrical [[Conifer cone|cones]] 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long shatter at maturity to release the winged [[seed]]s, leaving a spiky stalk.
Cylindrical [[Conifer cone|cones]] 5-25 cm (2-10 in) long shatter at maturity to release the winged [[seed]]s, leaving a spiky stalk.
Sow seeds in container in a cold from when they are ripe, or in late winter. Stratify for 3 weeks to aid in germination. Graft cultivars in winter.
==Pests and diseases==
==Pests and diseases==
Firs are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes abella]]'' (recorded on [[White Fir]]), [[Autumnal Moth]], [[Korscheltellus|Conifer Swift]] (a pest of [[Balsam Fir]]), [[Engrailed|The Engrailed]], [[Grey Pug]], [[Mottled Umber]] and [[Pine Beauty]].
Firs are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes abella]]'' (recorded on [[White Fir]]), [[Autumnal Moth]], [[Korscheltellus|Conifer Swift]] (a pest of [[Balsam Fir]]), [[Engrailed|The Engrailed]], [[Grey Pug]], [[Mottled Umber]] and [[Pine Beauty]].
Firs are also prone to Adelgids, bark beetles, bagworms, woolly aphids, spruce budworms and a wide variety fungi that can cause needle blights and root rot. Rust diseases are especially common.
==Uses==
==Uses==
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
They are most closely related to the [[cedar]]s (''Cedrus''). Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone.
They are most closely related to the [[cedar]]s (''Cedrus''). Identification of the species is based on the size and arrangement of the leaves, the size and shape of the cones, and whether the bract scales of the cones are long and exserted, or short and hidden inside the cone.
Whorled branches bear linear, flattened and sometimes glossy leaves which are mid- to dark green, and often have 2 longitudinal silver bands beneath. Female cones are often purplish-blue, erect, with occasionally protruding bracts, and are produced in late summer and early spring on upper branches.
Firs are sometimes confused with Spruce due to similar appearance, but firs cones grow up instead of down, and they have softer needles that fall directly from the stems, while those of the spruce leave short pegs behind when the needles fall. [[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.
Firs are sometimes confused with Spruce due to similar appearance, but firs cones grow up instead of down, and they have softer needles that fall directly from the stems, while those of the spruce leave short pegs behind when the needles fall. [[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.
==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
Firs are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in [[mountain]]s over most of the range.
Firs are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in [[mountain]]s over most of the range, and often dominating the northern and mountainous regions.
==References==
==References==
*American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608
*Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608