Subalpine fir -- Abies lasiocarpa

Pronunciation: ay’-beez lass-ee-oh-kar’-pah

Leaves: linear, flattened, sessile, 1” - 1 ¾” long, persistent, pale blue-green, stomata on both surfaces, tips are blunt or notched at the tip, curve upward

Cones: 2 ½” - 4” long, cylindrical, purplish-gray to nearly black, thin scales, broadly fan-shaped, erect on stem, scales and bracts are deciduous, stalks may remain on stem

Bark: Young: smooth and chalky - lenticels

Old: furrowed and scaly - resinous

Twig: Leaf scars smooth and circular, hairy, pale orange-brown

Bud: Rounded, blunt, light brown, resinous

Habit/Form: Pyramidal, tall and thin at the top, spire-like. Found in montane and subalpine areas

Other:

-3,500’ - 9,500’ - Rocky Mountains

-2,000’ - 7,000’ - British Columbia

-0’ - 3,000’ - Alaska

-Dense spire-like crowns

-Occurs in pure and mixed stands

-Associated with Engelmann spruce

-Shade tolerant, prefers cool, moist, well-drained soils