Algerian fir seeds

Abies numidica, or Algerian fir / Abies numidica - it is a tall tree reaching up to 25 m in height, with a trunk up to 1 m in diameter. The bark on young trees is grey and smooth, later becoming flaky, fissured with age, and brownish-grey. The crown is conical, dense, and branched. Branches are arranged horizontally. Shoots range from yellow-green to brown, glabrous and shiny. Buds are ovate, large, dark brown, non-resinous or almost non-resinous.

The needles are densely arranged, 15–20 mm long and 2–3 mm wide, thick, rigid, dark green, with two greenish-white bands underneath; tips are usually pointed, less often slightly notched.

Cones are bluish-green with a pink or violet tint, turning brown when mature, cylindrical, 15–20 cm long and 3.5–5.5 cm wide. Seeds are 12–14 mm long, with wings longer than the seed itself.

Hardiness zone: zone 2a (−45°C).

Care tips:

Location: shade-tolerant, but develops best in full light, requiring partial shade during the first years of life. Wind-resistant. Very demanding of high air humidity. Sensitive to air pollution from smoke and gases.

Soil: prefers nutritious, moist, and well-drained soils.

Planting: in avenue plantings, the distance between plants should be 4–5 m, in loose groups 3–3.5 m, and in dense plantings up to 2.5 m. Planting time: spring — April, autumn — late August to September. Saplings aged 5–10 years root best.

Care: 2–3 years after planting, it is recommended to apply “Kemira Universal” fertilizer at 150 g/m² in spring. Watering of balsam fir, as a moisture-loving species, is carried out 2–3 times per season at the rate of 15–20 liters per tree. During dry summer periods, sprinkling with water is recommended once every 2 weeks.

Fir trees do not tolerate excessive soil moisture. Loosening and mulching are mandatory in young plantings to a depth of 25–30 cm, together with weed removal. Mulching is done with sawdust, wood chips, or peat in a 5–8 cm layer around the trunks of young plants. Dry branches are removed in spring. Crown shaping is carried out only if necessary, in early spring before sap flow begins. Cultivars of subalpine fir at a young age can be shaped by pruning shoots damaged by late spring frosts at the end of May, giving the plant a more compact form.

Propagation: by seeds collected at the beginning of cone ripening. Sowing is done in autumn or spring after 30–40 days of stratification or snow treatment. Under normal conditions, seeds remain viable for up to one year. It can also be propagated by annual cuttings with a terminal bud. Roots on cuttings form only after 8–9 months. The crown forms naturally.

Use: grown as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens.