Nordmann fir

Synonyms: Caucasian fir, Abies nordmanniana (Steven) Spach.

Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) – a species of evergreen trees of the genus Abies (fir) in the family Pinaceae. It occurs in the western Caucasus (Lesser Caucasus, Main Range), where it rises to 2000 m above sea level, and also in Turkey on the slopes of the Pontic Mountains. Introduced in the Baltic states and Ukraine.

The species was named in honor of the Finnish zoologist, botanist and paleontologist, Professor Alexander von Nordmann, who was director of the Odessa Botanical Garden in 1834-1839. The species was discovered by Nordmann in 1835 in the Caucasus northeast of the town of Borjomi (Georgia). It is one of the most valuable relict endemic tree-forming species of the Caucasus, admired by European foresters. It forms mixed and pure forests in this region. Protected in reserves. Introduced to Europe in 1848.

It is a tall tree up to 50 (60) m in height and 7-9 m in width; the trunk can reach 2 m in diameter. The crown is pyramidal or narrowly conical, low-pendulous. In youth the apex is sharp, in more mature trees it is blunt. In natural conditions the tree is fast-growing; in cultivation it gives an increment of 12 cm per year. In the wild it grows slowly when young, with growth rate increasing with age. Lives 500 (800) years.

Bark on young shoots is light green or yellowish, shiny. Later it becomes grey and from about 80 years old becomes fissured. In old age it is covered with deep grooves.

Young shoots are red or reddish-brown, shiny, glabrous, later becoming whitish-grey. Buds are ovoid-conical or ovoid-globose in shape, practically not resinous, scales brownish-red.

Foliage needle-like, flat, narrowed into a short petiole, entire-margined, with two white bands on the underside that persist for several years. Reaches 20-40 mm in length and 1.5-2.5 mm in width. On cone-bearing shoots it is bluntly pointed, on vegetative shoots shallowly notched; on lateral shoots it is arranged in a comb-like manner with a single row of needles running along the shoot. Retained on the tree for 13 years.

Male flowers are in the form of catkins, which consist of many scales bearing below two pollen sacs that open with a transverse slit.

Female cones are sessile, directed upward, 12-20 cm long, 4-5 cm thick, ovoid-cylindrical; immature – green, mature – dark brown, resinous, apices curved backward, long, sharp. Seed scales are wedge-shaped, 20 mm long and 36 mm wide, rounded along the upper edge. Bracts 20-25 mm long, linear-lobed, with a narrow linear long stalk; at the top they transition into a rounded plate turned outward to about half the blade, 6.5 mm in diameter.

Pollinated by wind. Seed ripening occurs in the year of flowering. By that time the scales have become woody and after ripening they fall off, leaving only the axis of the cone. Seeds are winged, ovate, almost triangular, up to 10 mm in length; the embryo has several cotyledons. The wing is membranous, broad, light brown, equal in length to the seed or slightly longer.

Cultivars and forms: Golden Spreader, Jadwiga, Pendula, refracta Carr., robusta Carr., glauca Hort., f. Erecta, f. Aurea, f. aureo-spicata, f. albo-spicata, as well as hybrids of Nordmann fir and Spanish fir (Ab. insignis Carr. and Ab. Nord. speciosa Hort.).

Hardiness zone: 7a (-20°...-25°C)

Site: prefers sheltered, moderately moist, well-drained sites. Grows well on deep, loamy soils. Does not tolerate drought. Demanding of air humidity. Needs protection from strong and cold winds. Shade-tolerant, but can also grow in sunny locations; in the first years after planting it needs partial shade. Suffers from winter and spring sun. Sensitive to air pollution and soil compaction.

Planting: best carried out in early spring (April) or autumn (end of August-beginning of September). Planting hole size – 60x60 cm, at a depth of 60-80 cm. The root collar should be at ground level. In alley plantings spacing between plants should be at least 4-5 m, in loose groups 3-3.5 m, in denser plantings 2.5 m. Soil mix: leaf mould or humus, clay, sand, peat in the ratio 3:2:1:1. On heavy soils drainage is required: crushed stone or broken brick, 20 cm layer. At planting you can add nitroammofoska in the amount of 250-300 g and 10 kg of sawdust per hole.

Pruning: formative pruning is not used – the crown forms itself. Sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring before sap flow. Frost-damaged branches can be cut at the end of May.

Care: fertilization is carried out in the 2nd-3rd year after planting. In early spring, under mulch, apply granular fertilizer for conifers or Kemira-Universal (150 g/m2). Fertilize mainly young trees; mature ones do not need feeding. The plant is moisture-loving and requires abundant watering 2-3 times per season; in dry periods water twice as often. Also during dry periods it is recommended to spray the crown at least once a week. For even bud break abundant watering in early spring is recommended.

Diseases and pests: practically not affected by diseases.

Propagation: seed germination 20%. Sowing depth 4-5 cm. Seeds are collected before the cones open and sown for overwintering. For spring sowing cold stratification or snow treatment for 1-2 months is required. Germinate at +18+23°C with moderate watering. Cuttings root poorly.

Uses: widely used in Europe as a Christmas tree. In climates suitable for it, used in solitary and group plantings, for creating alleys and groups, also as a specimen tree. Combines well with large trees – larch, pine, pseudotsuga, spruce. Can be used as a container plant. Essential oil is obtained from the needles. The wood is a valuable construction and sawn timber. The bark contains up to 10% tannins.