Nordmann Fir, Caucasian fir
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average landscape size of 40-60' tall and 15-20' wide. Develops a straight trunk with a dense, pyramidal form, with branches to the ground. Horizontal branches in dense tiers. May grow to 200' in the wild. Many old, large trees may be observed in England. Slow growth rate, or sometimes moderate. Longevity will depend primarily on the site and weather conditions. Potential for a long lifespan in a cool, moist site with well-drained soil.

Native Range

Origin: Asia Minor, mountains of western Caucasus at altitudes around 6,000', and northern Turkey. Introduced into cultivation in 1848.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are monoecious. Fruits are upright cones, 5-6" (to 8") long, 1.75-2" wide. Cones, with numerous bracts projecting outward like pointed tongues emerging, are cylindrical and tapered at the apex. Color changes from greenish to reddish-brown as the cones mature.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Foliage made up of densely spaced, flattened needles, each 3/4-1.5" long, with a rounded, notched point, glossy, dark green (almost blackish-green) on top, a sunken midrib, with 2 white stomatal bands beneath. Needles are pointed forward on the twig. Needles, when crushed, give off the fragrance of orange peel. Bark is charcoal gray.

Culture and Care

Prefers moist, well-drained soil; is not drought tolerant. Mulch around it to conserve moisture. Full sun (best) to part shade. Grows well in Zones 4-6. One of the most heat-tolerant firs, although it grows best under cool, moist conditions. Likes acidic soil. Not tolerant of heavy clay. Not pollution tolerant. No serious insect or disease problems, but could include wooly adelgids, bark beetles, budworms, aphids, bagworms, scale, mites, cankers, root rot, and twig blight.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

The most handsome of firs, stately and elegant. Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall, winter. Specific epithet refers to Alexander Davidovic von Nordmann, Finnish naturalist who discovered this tree growing in the Caucasus in 1836.

Suggested Uses

A stately, elegant, handsome fir that makes a good specimen in the landscape.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA