Fraser fir

A rare species of the mountains of the southeastern United States. Distributed in the Allegheny Mountains, at elevations of 1200—2000 m. Grows in pure stands and in mixed forests together with red spruce, yellow birch and other species.

A graceful tree up to 25 m tall (similar in appearance to the balsam fir) has an elegant conical or columnar crown. Bark grayish, smooth; in old trees reddish and scaly, plated. Shoots yellowish-gray, covered with soft, wavy hairs; needles small, silvery beneath, with decorative, short cones with protruding covering scales. Winter-hardy, exceeding the balsam fir in this respect. Tolerant of cold climates, low winter temperatures and cool northern summers. Requires well-drained fertile soil and air humidity.

Performs poorly in urban conditions, but develops excellently in parks and forest parks, and in private gardens. Very decorative. Used in solitary and group plantings together with pine and larch. Cultivated since 1811.

Has a prostrate (f. prostrata) form - a low, creeping shrub with horizontally spreading branches.