Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is a conifer that can grow higher than 15m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Fraser fir (Abies fraseri).

This plant has several common names including: Fraser fir, Fraser’s balsam fir or southern balsam fir.

This is a evergreen plant that takes more than 50 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: Fraser fir, Fraser’s balsam fir, southern balsam fir
Scientific name: Abies fraseri
Plant type: Conifers
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural
Planting type: Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) – Soil-Science.info on Flickr (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Fraser fir (Abies fraseri), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in clay, loam or sand.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Abies fraseri likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.

Sunlight

Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) – mindfrieze on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons