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{{Taxobox
__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
| name = ''Abies''
| name = ''Abies'' - firs
| common_names = Firs
| growth_habit = tree
| high = <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
| wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
| origin = <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
| lifespan = perennial
| exposure = <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
| water = <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
| hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| usda_zones = <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
| sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
| color = IndianRed
| image = Abies koreana cone.jpg
| image = Abies koreana cone.jpg
| image_width = 230px
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
| image_caption = [[Korean Fir]] (''Abies koreana'') cone and foliage
| image_caption = [[Korean Fir]] (''Abies koreana'') cone and foliage
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = [[Pinophyta]]
| divisio = Pinophyta
| classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]]
| classis = Pinopsida
| ordo = [[Pinales]]
| ordo = Pinales
| familia = [[Pinaceae]]
| familia = Pinaceae
| genus = '''''Abies'''''
| genus = Abies
| genus_authority = [[Philip Miller|Mill.]]
| species =
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subspecies =
| subdivision = See text
| cultivar =
}}
}}
[[Image:Abgragra-top.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies grandis'' foliage]]
[[Image:Abgragra-top.jpg|thumb|right|''Abies grandis'' foliage]]
[[Image:Abies cone & bits.jpg|right|thumb|Intact and disintegrated Bulgarian Fir cones]]
[[Image:Abies cone & bits.jpg|right|thumb|Intact and disintegrated Bulgarian Fir cones]]
[[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.
[[Douglas-fir]]s are not true firs, being of the genus ''[[Pseudotsuga]]''.
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 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.
[[Nordmann Fir]], [[Noble Fir]], [[Fraser Fir]] and [[Balsam Fir]] are very popular [[Christmas tree]]s, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees, notably [[Korean Fir]] and Fraser Fir, which produce brightly colored cones even when very young, still only 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall.
Small specimens are good for container or [[bonsai]] plants.
Birds are attracted by fir seeds.
==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===
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===
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.
==Species==
==Species==
* '''Section ''Bracteata''''' ([[California]] coast)
* '''Section ''Bracteata''''' ([[California]] coast)
**''[[Bristlecone Fir|Abies bracteata]]'' - Bristlecone Fir
**''[[Bristlecone Fir|Abies bracteata]]'' - Bristlecone Fir
==References==
==References==
*American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432
*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
*Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.conifers.org/pi/ab/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - ''Abies'']
* [http://www.conifers.org/pi/ab/index.htm Gymnosperm Database - ''Abies'']
* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/ABIEScones.htm Arboretum de Villardebelle cone photos: Images of cones of selected species]
* [http://www.pinetum.org/cones/ABIEScones.htm Arboretum de Villardebelle cone photos: Images of cones of selected species]
[[Category:Pinaceae]]
[[Category:Pinaceae]]