Abies koreana E.H.Wilson

Nomenclature

Abies koreana E.H.Wilson, commonly known as Korean fir, is a small to medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree.

Mature Size

It typically reaches 10–18 m (33–59 ft) in height, with a trunk diameter of up to 0.7 m (2 ft 4 in); it grows smaller and sometimes takes a shrubby form at the tree line.

Bark Characteristics

Its bark is smooth, grey-brown, and marked with resin blisters.

Leaf Morphology

Its leaves are needle-like and flattened, measuring 1–2 centimetres (0.4–0.8 in) long, 2–2.5 millimetres (0.08–0.10 in) wide, and 0.5 mm (0.02 in) thick.

Leaf Coloration

The upper surface of the leaves is glossy dark green, while the lower surface has two broad, vividly white bands of stomata, and the leaf tip is slightly notched.

Leaf Arrangement

Leaves are arranged in a spiral pattern on shoots, but each leaf has a variably twisted base that makes most leaves lie on either side of and above the shoot, with fewer leaves below the shoot.

Shoot Characteristics

Young shoots are green-grey, and mature to pinkish-grey, with scattered fine pubescence.

Immature Cone Features

Cones are 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) long and 1.5–2 cm (0.6–0.8 in) broad, and are dark purple-blue before maturity.

Cone Scale Bracts

The scale bracts are long, green or yellow, and protrude out between the scales of the closed cone.

Seed Dispersal

Winged seeds are released when cones disintegrate at maturity, about 5–6 months after pollination.

Wild Distribution

The largest population of wild Korean fir grows on Hallasan Mountain on Jeju Island, South Korea.

Ornamental Use

Korean fir is a very popular ornamental plant for parks and gardens in temperate climates.

Ornamental Traits

It is grown both for its foliage and its heavy cone production, which occurs even on young trees that are only 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in – 6 ft 7 in) tall.

Royal Horticultural Society Awards

Four cultivars and the species itself have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: the unmodified species A. koreana, which reaches ≥ 12 m; the cultivar A. koreana "Cis", which reaches 0.5–1 m; the cultivar A. koreana "Kohout's Ice Breaker", which reaches 0.5–1 m; and the cultivar A. koreana "Silberlocke", which reaches 2.5–4 m.

Christmas Tree Use

Korean fir is also used as a Christmas tree.