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Abies concolor
  • Colorado Fir

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Abies genus in the family Pinaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid, neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Abies concolor has 0 material uses listed
Abies concolor has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Abies concolor.

Material uses

A tan coloured dye can be obtained from the bark[1]. Wood - very light, not strong, coarse grained, soft, not durable. Used mainly for pulp, cases etc[2][3][4]. It is sometimes used in framing small houses but is not strong enough to be used in larger buildings[5]. The wood lacks a distinctive odour and so does not impart a flavour to items stored in it. Thus it can be used for making tubs for storing food items[5].

Unknown part

Dye
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The pitch from the trunk has been used as an antiseptic poultice for cuts, wounds etc[1]. An infusion of the pitch, or the bark, has been used in the treatment of TB[1]

An infusion of the foliage has been used in a bath for relieving rheumatism[1].

An infusion of the pitch and leaves has been used in the treatment of pulmonary complaints[1].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Pectoral
Poultice
TB

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March[6]. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks[6]. 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[7][8]. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored[8]. 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[6] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position[7].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Abies concolor. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil[9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are very shade tolerant but growth is slower in dense shade[10]. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution[9]. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5[11]. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope[11]. Trees succeed on poor dry sites in the wild[12]. Trees are shallow rooted and therefore liable to be wind-blown in exposed sites[12].

Trees grow almost as well in S. Britain as they do in cooler areas of the country[13]. They are at their best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland and in N.E. England, trees in the south and east of the country tend to be thin in the crown and soon lose their shape. Trees in the west grow better but also lose their shape after a while[13][14]. New growth is from mid-May to July and trees are virtually never damaged by late frosts or aphis[9][14]. Most trees of this species that are grown in Britain are in fact the sub-species A. concolor lowiana. (Gordon.)Lemmon. This form tends to grow better in Britain than the type. There are 2 basic forms of this sub-species, those from the north of the range are vigorous in height growth whilst the southern form is vigorous in girth growth[14]. They both have a potential for forestry use in Britain[14]. 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[11]. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly[11]. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus[11]. A very ornamental tree[9].

The crushed leaves have a strong lemony scent[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Abies concolor. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Abies concolor.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Abies concolor
Genus
Abies
Family
Pinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2][3][4][5]
Botanic
[13][15][11]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life [16]
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    vigorous
    Mature Size
    20 x 8
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

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    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.




    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (32202/01/01)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (32202/01/01)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (32202/01/01)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (32202/01/01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (32202/01/01)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (32202/01/01)
    7. ? 7.07.1 McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (32202/01/01)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (32202/01/01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)
    10. ? Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (32202/01/01)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.311.411.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (32202/01/01)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.4 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (32202/01/01)
    15. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-60
    16. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named http:.2F.2Fwww.missouribotanicalgarden.org.2Fgardens-gardening.2Fyour-garden.2Fplant-finder.2Fplant-details.2Fkc.2Fc201.2Fabies-concolor.aspx



    "image:Abies concolor cones.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Abies concolor"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPinaceae +
    Belongs to genusAbies +
    Has common nameColorado Fir +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has growth rateVigorous +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageAbies concolor cones.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Wood +
    Has mature height45 +
    Has mature width8 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Pectoral +, Poultice + and TB +
    Has primary imageAbies concolor cones.jpg +
    Has search nameabies concolor + and x +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAbies concolor +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +