The Flora of Mount Shasta White Fir Pine Family (Pinaceae) Abies concolor

Growth Form: Slender, pyramidal shape, 100 to180 feet

Leaves: Evergreen; needles, 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, flattened with pointed, blunt, or slightly notched tips; curve upwards to form a "U" around upper twigs, grow to the sides of the lower twigs; white stomatal bands on upper and lower surfaces

Bark: On young or upper trunk of older trees, smooth, gray and resinous; dark gray, rough and furrowed on older lower trunks

Cones: Upright, confined to top branches, 3 to 5 inches, olive-green to purplish scales. Cones do not fall intact; scales fall off cone axis separately.

Found: Moist, cooler slopes, e.g., north-facing slopes

Tidbits: Seeds eaten by tree squirrels, chipmunks; buds and foliage by deer and grouse. Wood is not a high-grade construction lumber, but is used for studs and framing material.

White Fir
© 2001 Ken and Leona Beatty