Abies homolepis
Nikko Fir
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abies genus in the family Pinaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Wood - light, soft, coarse grained. Used for construction, pulp etc[8].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - central and southern Japan.
- Habitat
- Cool wet mountainsides[7][5]. In mountain forests at elevations of 1000 - 1800 metres, generally growing in the intermediate zone between A. firma and A. veitchii[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[9]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[9]. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn[10][3]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[9] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[10].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade[11]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[1]. This species is the most tolerant of the genus to atmospheric pollution[4][5]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[5]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[5]. This species thrives in Britain, succeeding in the drier east of the country though growing better in the moister west and at its best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland[2]. Growth is fairly good, averaging around 30 cm per year for at least the first 100 years[4]. Increase in girth is also reasonable, 1.2 metres in 36 years has been recorded[4]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[5]. The flowers are produced in axils of the previous year's shoots[6]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[5]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-11-710012-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Flora of Japan www.foj.info
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6
Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X