Pacific Silver Fir
Abies amabilis
Pacific silver fir thrives in the deep snowpack of high-elevation Northwest forests, its glossy dark needles and silvery undersides giving the tree its name. It is shade tolerant enough to persist for decades beneath a closed canopy, waiting for its turn in the light.
Where found
Cool, wet, high-elevation forests of the Cascades and Olympic Mountains.
Fun facts
- Needles are glossy dark green above with two bright white bands below.
- Can persist as a suppressed understory sapling for 100+ years before a canopy gap opens.
- Its species name, amabilis, means "lovely."
Specs
| Height | 30–50 m (up to 70+ m) |
|---|---|
| Spread | 6–8 m |
| Lifespan | 400–500 yrs |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Sun | Shade tolerant |
| Native Range | Southeast Alaska to northern California, high Cascades and Olympics |
