Manchurian fir (Abies holophylla)

Occurs in the southern part of Primorye, northern China, and Korea. Grows in mountains, in mixed forests, rising to 500 m above sea level. Protected in nature reserves. Becoming increasingly rare in the wild, although formerly, for example in the vicinity of Vladivostok, it was the dominant species. Grows in mixture with Korean pine and many broad-leaved species (linden, maple, hornbeam and Kalopanax), often dominating the first tier.

Slender, robust tree up to 45 m tall, with a dense, broad-pyramidal, loose crown that droops to the ground; in old age it has a flat top. By a number of morphological characters it is well distinguished from other species of the genus. It has an unusual for firs dark gray, becoming black with age bark, at first peeling, later cracking horizontally; on one-year shoots it is ochre or yellowish-gray, longitudinally grooved. The needles are very dense, stiff, entire, pointed, glossy and dark green above, paler below, arranged comb-like on the shoots.

Needle longevity is 8–9 years. Cones are cylindrical, blunt, light brown, velvety-pubescent, resinous. It grows slowly for 6–10 years, then growth sharply intensifies; in growth rate it surpasses a number of other coniferous species. Winter-hardy. Shade-tolerant, but can also develop in full sunlight. Wind-resistant, requires rich and moist soil and air. Long-lived, reaching 300–400 years. Propagated by seed and by grafting onto other species. In cultivation since 1905.

Used similarly to other firs. Deserves the widest application in garden and park landscaping.