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Picea meyeri (Meyer Spruce) China

Meyer spruce is a perfect tree for many growers. It has beautiful blue-green blunt foliage with excellent needle retention and it appears to be free of insects and disease. It has a medium growth rate and once established it will average a foot of growth per year. It has a self shaping, upsweeping branching habit which lends itself to Christmas tree production, ornamentals and the live tree market. It grows well on both light and heavy soils and its survival rate after planting is almost 100%. Finally, it has a dominant leader and responds well to shearing. It does not break bud early and can withstand temperatures from -50°F to +100°F. It has a tendency to grow wide.

Abies lasiocarpa-var. arizonica (Corkbark Fir) Arizona-New Mexico

Hardy to -50°F this beautiful, self shaping fir with its blue-green foliage is now being grown across the United States, Canada, and Europe. This tree is relatively slow growing until it reaches 3 feet and then it takes off. It has excellent needle retention and does not winter burn. It breaks bud early and is susceptible to fern rust. It makes a beautiful Christmas tree and a perfect specimen for ornamental plantings. This fir grows best on a northeast slope.

Abies nordmanniana (Nordmann Fir) Georgia Russia

The Ambolauri region of Georgia is a good seed source to grow. Hardy to -30°F this beautiful tree breaks bud late and requires very little shearing. It has beautiful, dark green foliage and it grows very well on heavy soils. It appears to be resistant to twig aphid and spider mites. It is now being widely planted in the United States and Europe. The deer love this tree. Growth rate is slow to medium. Efforts are being made in Denmark to establish seed orchards of a faster growing, late flushing Nordmann.

Abies bornmuelleriana (Turkish Fir)

Hardy to -30°F this tree is getting a lot of attention from growers because it can tolerate dry conditions and it is resistant to Phytophthora Root Rot. It has a tendency to grow wide and its foliage is a beautiful, dark green. It responds well to shearing and does not break bud early. It performs best in full sun and does not like heavy soil conditions. It makes a beautiful Christmas tree and like the Nordmann Fir the deer love it. Growth rate is medium.

Abies koreana (Korean Fir) Korea

Hardy to -50°F. Exquisite foliage (flash of white) describes this beautiful tree. Good growth rate depending on its seed source. It tends to cone early at a young age on some sites. It tolerates many soil types and it does not winter burn. It responds well to shearing and it tends to grow wide. It appears to be aphid and mite resistant and it makes a beautiful Christmas tree and ornamental.

Abies balsamea phanerolepis (Bracted balsam)

There is a lot of interest in growing this West Virginia seed source (Canaan fir ) due to its ability to grow well in heavy soils and its ability to break bud later than most seed sources of Balsam Fir. Canaan Fir is a fast grower which responds well to shearing at a young age. It does very well on clay soils and does not cone early. Seed source is critical.

Abies grandis (Grand Fir) Idaho

Hardy to -25°F this species is one of the most aromatic of all the true firs. The best seed source is from the Clearwater drainage in Sears Creek, Idaho. It is a fast growing tree with dark green foliage. It responds well to shearing and exhibits a dominant leader. It does best in a microclimate that has heavy, well drained soil and some shade and protection from northwest winds. Many choose and cut growers have reported "Once a grand fir customer always a grand fir customer". It does best as a fresh cut tree and should be planted as a PLUG +1 or a 2-1 transplant.

Korean Balsam Cross

Aphid, mite, and gall midge resistant. Breaks bud late and possesses very hardy and beautiful foliage. Good growth rate and an outstanding tree that exhibits that flash of white and a straight leader. This tree is a winner.

Sheet Harbour Bracted Balsam (Nova Scotia)

Hardy to -30°F this tree is Fraser-like in appearance with dark green, bottle brush foliage. A fast growing tree that exhibits a uniform appearance. It breaks bud late, but not as late as Canaan fir. It does well on dry sites. There is a lot of interest in this tree.

Abies veitchii (Veitch Fir) Japan

Hardy to -40°F this rapid growing fir breaks bud late and has exquisite foliage. It does not cone early and it is resistant to spruce budworm and the woolly adelgid. A perfect tree for the greens market and for a Christmas tree you must shear the leader late in the fall or early spring before bud break. It thrives on acidic soils.

Abies sibirica var.argentea (Russia)

Hardy to -60°F. Long needles with a beautiful sheen characterize this true fir. It exhibits an upright branching habit. Growth rate is medium and it performs best in a cool, moist climate.

Fralsam - hybrid (Fraser x Balsam fir)

Fast growing and the majority of the trees look like Fraser fir. This is an outstanding tree that was developed by Bill Weir in Colebrook, New Hampshire. It is now widely grown in the Northeast and Canada. It breaks bud late.

Korean x Veitch

A fast growing, late breaking fir with exquisite foliage that exhibits the great qualities of the parent trees. It produces a straight leader.

Veitch X Balsam

A fast growing, late breaking hybrid with exceptional foliage similar to the parent trees. It produces a straight leader.