Pacific Silver Fir
Abies amabilis
Pacific Silver Fir is a shade-tolerant Northwest fir with dense, lush foliage that is glossy green above and silvery-white beneath.
- Light
- Part shade to full sun
- Water
- Moderate to high; moist soil
- Difficulty
- Moderate
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Overview
Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabilis) is a handsome conifer of the wet Pacific Northwest mountains, its species epithet amabilis meaning "lovely." Its foliage is dark, glossy green above and brilliantly silver-white below.
Unusually shade tolerant, it can regenerate beneath dense forest canopy and grows into a tall, narrow, densely branched tree in cool, moist, snowy environments.
How to identify it
- Needles: Flat, glossy dark green above with two bright white bands beneath; forward-pointing and densely set, hiding the twig.
- Cones: Upright, deep purple, barrel-shaped, breaking apart on the tree.
- Habit: Dense, narrowly conical, often with a layered appearance.
- Bark: Smooth, gray, with resin blisters when young.
- Size: Commonly 100–180 ft tall.
Care & growing
Pacific Silver Fir tolerates part shade to full sun and demands cool, moist, humid conditions.
- Water: Likes consistently moist soil and high humidity; not drought tolerant.
- Soil: Deep, moist, acidic, well-drained.
- Temperature: Hardy USDA zones 5–6; thrives in cool maritime climates with heavy snow.
- Feeding: Minimal in good soils.
- Propagation: From seed after stratification.
Habitat & origin
Native to the coastal and Cascade mountains of the Pacific Northwest, from southeast Alaska through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.
It grows in cool, wet mid-to-high elevation forests with deep winter snowpack, often forming dense, shady stands.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Silver Fir?
The undersides of its needles are vivid silvery-white, giving the foliage a silver sheen.
Is Pacific Silver Fir shade tolerant?
Yes, it is one of the more shade-tolerant firs and regenerates well under canopy.
What does amabilis mean?
It is Latin for "lovely," referring to the tree's attractive, lush foliage.
What climate does it need?
Cool, moist, humid maritime mountain climates with substantial winter snow.
Pacific Silver Fir guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Pacific Silver Fir.
