Fraser Fir — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Abies fraseri |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–30 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 7.2–18.3 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 730–1825 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 304.8–609.6 |
| Mature height (cm) | 609.6–1828.8 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 152.4–304.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–7 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Plant seeds or container-grown trees in spring in well-drained, moist, slightly acidic, fertile loamy or sandy soil in full sun to partial shade; Fraser fir is widely considered the finest Christmas tree in the United States — with a perfect, dense, symmetrical cone shape, outstanding needle retention after cutting, pleasant fragrance, and stiff branches capable of holding heavy ornaments without drooping. The species is native to the high-elevation spruce-fir forests of the southern Appalachians (primarily in western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and southwest Virginia above 5,000 feet) where it faces severe threat from the introduced balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae), which has killed a large proportion of wild mature trees. Christmas tree farming in the Carolina mountains (particularly around Ashe County, NC) has made Fraser fir a major agricultural crop — North Carolina produces more Christmas trees than any other state. More heat-tolerant than balsam fir, succeeding in zone 7 where balsam fir fails.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0