Spanish Fir
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Broad-pyramidal to conical growth habit, with side branches pointing upwards at the tips. Generally 20-50' tall and 10-20' wide in the landscape. Can grow to 50-75' tall and 15-30' wide under ideal conditions. Spreading branches in tiers. Grows to 12' high and 6' wide at the base in 10 years, so rate is slow to medium.

Native Range

Native to the mountains of southern Spain, at altitudes around 5,000', and northern Morocco. Introduced into cultivation in 1837 by Boissier, who sent seeds to the Vilmorin Nurseries in France.

Flower and Fruit Details

Monoecious, with red male flowers. Sessile, cylindrical, purple-brown, upright cones are narrowed at apex, 4-6" long and 1.5-2" wide. Cones emerge greenish-pink to purple, turning brown at maturity. After ripening, cones disintegrate, releasing the seeds.

Leaf and Bark Features

Evergreen: Individual, rigid, thick, short, blue-gray needles, 1/4-3/4" long, dark green in color and slightly convex, banded above and below, paler beneath. Stems have a bottlebrush effect because the needles stick straight out at right angles to the stem. Needles are arranged radially (not in two rows), and are quite sharp and prickly to the touch, unlike most firs, giving it its other common names of Hedgehog Fir and Spanish Silver Spruce (since spruces are prickly). Bark is smooth on young trees, rough and flaky on old trees.

Culture and Care

Tolerates high pH, sandy, alkaline soils. Zones 6-7. More heat and drought tolerant than most firs. Avoid low, wet areas and bogs. Can adapt to most other soils, but may grow poorly in heavy clay soils. Needs full sun to part shade. Prefers a moderately fertile, slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soil. 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

Good wildlife value. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall & winter. Due forest fires, urban projects, erosion, excessive visitors, and due to its limited range and low populations, this tree is now listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN List of Threatened Plants.

Suggested Uses

Makes a good landscape specimen plant.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA