# subalpine fir (*Abies lasiocarpa*) The subalpine fir is a tall, evergreen tree that grows in cool, mountainous areas. Its soft needles and sweet smell make it a favorite among nature lovers! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![subalpine fir](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Abies_lasiocarpa_26008.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abies_lasiocarpa_26008.JPG) ## Appearance The subalpine fir is a slender, spire-shaped evergreen tree with smooth, grey bark that can develop resin blisters. Its soft, flat needles are silvery-green, and it features distinctive purplish-blue cones that stand upright on its branches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Pinaceae - **Genus:** Abies ## Interesting facts - Its smooth bark often has 'blisters' filled with a fragrant, sticky resin. - This tree can grow at higher elevations on mountains than almost any other fir species! - When its cones are ripe, they disintegrate on the branch, leaving behind a spike-like core. - You can tell it's a fir tree because its flat needles leave a round scar when pulled off the twig! ## Special abilities - **Snow Shedder:** Subalpine fir has flexible branches and a conical shape that help it shed heavy snow loads, preventing breakage in snowy mountain regions. - **Waxy Needle Armor:** Its needles have a waxy coating that helps the subalpine fir conserve water and protect against freezing winds at high altitudes. - **Upright Cone Dispersal:** Subalpine fir has unique upright cones that break apart on the branch to release seeds, a clever way to ensure reproduction. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2000-5000 cm - **Spread:** 600-800 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — Eats inner bark for nutrients. - **Eats:** [Mountain Goat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mountain-goat) (*Oreamnos americanus*) — Browses on its needles and twigs. - **Shelter:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Nests safely within its branches. - **Shelter:** [Least Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/least-chipmunk) (*Tamias minimus*) — Burrows near its tree base. ## Traits - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Coniferous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coniferous): Coniferous plants are typically evergreen, bearing needles or scales and reproductive cones. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Timber](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/timber): Timber refers to wood that has been prepared for use in building and carpentry. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on trails when exploring near trees to avoid getting lost. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify subalpine fir? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is subalpine fir? 2000-5000 cm ### How wide does subalpine fir spread? 600-800 cm ### When does subalpine fir bloom? Spring ### Is subalpine fir edible? No ### Is subalpine fir toxic? None ### What is subalpine fir's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is subalpine fir pollinated? Wind ## Where to spot - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Telluride Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/telluride-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [William Allen White Cabins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-allen-white-cabins) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [E.C. Manning Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-c-manning-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Betty Ford Alpine Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/betty-ford-alpine-gardens) — Colorado, US · Botanical Garden - [Sunrise Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sunrise-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see subalpine fir](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/subalpine-fir) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Subalpine Fir: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/subalpine-fir)