Fastigiate Silver Fir foliage

Fastigiate Silver Fir foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Other Names:  European Silver Fir

Description:

This is one of the most narrow, columnar selections of silver fir, featuring short, dense needles and tightly upswept branches; makes a wonderful focal point in the landscape

Ornamental Features

Fastigiate Silver Fir is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its rigidly columnar form. It has attractive dark green evergreen foliage. The glossy needles are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Fastigiate Silver Fir is a dense evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Fastigiate Silver Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Fastigiate Silver Fir will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 28 inches. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.