# white fir (*Abies concolor*) The white fir is a tall tree with soft, green needles that smell wonderful! It grows in the mountains and is a great home for many animals. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![white fir](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Abies_concolor_subsp._concolor_crown.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrey Zharkikh, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abies_concolor_subsp._concolor_crown.jpg) ## Appearance The white fir is a stately coniferous tree with flattened, silvery-blue-green needles that curve upwards, appearing brushed with white on their undersides. Its smooth, pale gray bark develops deep furrows with age. Tall and symmetrically conical, it stands out in evergreen forests. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Pinopsida - **Order:** Pinales - **Family:** Pinaceae - **Genus:** Abies ## Interesting facts - Its needles smell like citrus when crushed, a delightful forest air freshener! - Look up! Its cones stand upright on branches, like tiny Christmas tree decorations. - Native Americans used its sap to make a soothing balm for scrapes and cuts. - White firs can live for over 350 years, watching many seasons pass! ## Special abilities - **Fire Shield:** White fir develops thick, furrowed bark that helps it survive and regenerate after moderate forest fires. - **Thirsty Roots:** It has a deep root system that allows it to access water deep underground, helping it survive dry spells. - **Fragrant Defense:** The needles release a strong, citrusy scent when crushed, which can help deter some browsing animals. - **Upright Cones:** Its cones stand upright on branches to release seeds slowly, preventing all seeds from being eaten at once. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 2500-6000 cm - **Spread:** 600-900 cm - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Wind ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Abert's squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aberts-squirrel) (*Sciurus aberti*) — Feeds on the inner bark and seeds - **Eats:** [Mule deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Browses on young saplings and foliage - **Eats:** [Cedar waxwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cedar-waxwing) (*Bombycilla cedrorum*) — Consumes the seeds from cones - **Shelter:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Uses branches for protection and cover ## Traits - [Aromatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aromatic): Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [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. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Stay on paths when exploring forests and don't climb trees without an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify white 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 white fir? 2500-6000 cm ### How wide does white fir spread? 600-900 cm ### Is white fir edible? Yes ### Is white fir toxic? None ### What is white fir's lifecycle? Perennial ### How is white fir pollinated? Wind ### Where is white fir usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Black Mountain Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-mountain-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Generals' Highway Stone Bridges](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/generals-highway-stone-bridges) — California, US · Historic District - [Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/great-sand-dunes-national-park-and-preserve) — Colorado, US · National Park - [Lehman Orchard and Aqueduct](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lehman-orchard-and-aqueduct) — Nevada, US · Historic District - [McIntyre Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcintyre-grove) — California, US · Forest [View all places to see white fir](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/white-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: [White Fir: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-fir)