Christmas tree Nordmann Fir - Abies nordmanniana

The Abies nordmanniana is the famous Nordmann fir tree that is invited into our homes at Christmas. This tall conifer is appreciated for its perfectly pyramidal habit and its slightly fragrant foliage of dark green needles that resist the dry heat of our homes well. Slow-growing but hardy and resistant, it is also a majestic tree that can be planted in isolation or at the edges of a garden large enough to accommodate it. This beautiful mountain species thrives particularly well in cool and humid climates, in ordinary but deep soil.

The Abies nordmanniana, sometimes also called Caucasian fir or Crimean fir, is a conifer of the pinaceae family native to the temperate regions of Western Asia: Georgia, Russia, Armenia, to the south of the Black Sea in Turkey and Crimea. It grows in mountain forests, under a rather humid continental climate, even though it temporarily tolerates drought. In nature, this species with a regular pyramidal habit can reach up to 60m (197ft) in height, and forms a trunk that can measure up to 2m (6.6ft) in diameter. It was introduced to Europe around 1848.

In our gardens, it can still reach 30m (98.4ft) in height and 6-7m (19.7 - 23ft) in width after many years, so its future development should be taken into account at the time of purchase. This tree has a short, straight trunk and widely spread lower branches. Its growth is very slow. Its flat needle-shaped leaves, 2 to 3.5cm (1.2in) long and 2mm (0.1in) wide, are very dark green and shiny, marked by two light bands on the underside. Truncated at their ends, they are tactile and give off a very pleasant aroma when crushed, reminiscent of oranges. The branches have a rounded shape, due to the radiating and very dense arrangement of the needles. The grey-brown bark is smooth, sometimes wrinkled on mature subjects. The fruits are cylindrical cones, reddish-brown in colour, 10 to 20cm (7.9in) long and 4 to 5cm (2in) wide. They are upright and scaly, and release winged seeds that will be dispersed by the wind when ripe. This Abies is quite sensitive to urban pollution and does not tolerate salt spray.

The Abies nordmanniana is the traditional Christmas tree, often chosen to decorate the house during the end-of-year holidays. Once this festive period is over, the conscientious gardener who has done his best to preserve it, will plant it in the ground. With its perfect silhouette, strong presence, resistance, and ease of cultivation, it will be wonderful as an isolated specimen or at the edge of a large garden.