Veitch's fir

Grows in the mountains of central Japan (Honshu Island), forming pure stands or mixed with spruce and Tsuga species, and other firs.

Winter-hardy. Characterized by rapid growth when young, more resistant to smoke and gases than other species, but demanding of light and soil fertility. Deserves special attention as a very ornamental species with a distinctive crown coloration. Good in solitary and loosely grouped plantings, and in complex compositions of gardens and parks. In cultivation since 1865.

One of the most ornamental firs. A beautiful slender tree up to 40 m tall with short, horizontally arranged branches forming a loose, pyramidal crown. The bark on the trunks is whitish-gray, smooth, even on old trees; on young shoots it is gray or greenish, shortly pubescent. The needles are soft, noticeably curved, up to 2.5 cm long, glossy and dark green above, beneath with well-visible white bands that give the trees a silvery-white tint in windy weather. Cones up to 7 cm long, bluish-violet to purple when young, later brown.