Phytophthora on Abies spp. (true firs) / JKI, Julius Kühn-Institut, Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants ; Venche Talgø/Gary Chastagner

Abstract

Approximately 50 species belong to the genus Abies and they are mainly native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere (http://www.discoverlife.org). They play a very important environmental role in their regions of origin. Several species are also important for timber production outside their native range. Others are highly appreciated as ornamentals in landscape plantings. Because of their natural conical shape, color and strong branches for holding ornaments, true firs, especially species with excellent postharvest needle retention, are also ideally suited for use as Christmas trees and bough production. In Europe, the most common species grown as Christmas trees is Nordmann fir, while in the USA, Fraser (Abies fraseri) and noble fir (Abies procera) predominate. Other Abies-species marketed as Christmas trees include balsam fir (A. balsamea) grand fir (A. grandis), Korean fir (Abies koreana), Siberian fir (A. sibirica), subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa), Turkish fir (A. bornmuelleriana), and white fir (A. concolor). Noble fir is the main species for bough production both in Europe and USA.