Korean fir is a garden favorite in cooler parts of the U.S. for its silvery needles and upright purple cones, even on young trees. In the wild it grows only on high mountains in South Korea and is listed as Endangered.
Appearance
Appearance
In U.S. landscapes it usually stays 15–30 ft (4.5–9 m) tall and 6–12 ft (2–4 m) wide, with a neat cone-shaped outline.
Leaves
Short, dark green needles with bright silvery-white bands underneath, which give the tree a frosted look.
Fruit
Upright cones 1.5–2.8 in (4–7 cm) long sit on top of the branches like candles. They are purple-blue before they ripen.
Both have upright cones and silvery needle undersides, so a cone or close leaf photo may be needed. Korean fir is often sold with purple cones while Fraser fir cones have long, pale projections that curl downward.
Why they get mixed up · Both are firs grown as Christmas trees.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
High mountain forests
U.S. gardens
Range
Wild populations occur in South Korea's high mountains, including Mt. Halla on Jeju Island and mountains on the southern mainland. In the U.S. it is planted in gardens rather than found as a native tree.
Preferred conditions
In the wild it grows about 3,300–6,200 ft (1,000–1,900 m) above sea level.
Life cycle
Reproduction
Young trees can already bear cones, a feature gardeners often notice.
Seed dispersal
The cones break apart on the tree as they ripen, releasing winged seeds.
Growing it
Care
Hardy in 5–7. Grow it in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil. It does best in cooler climates and dislikes wet sites and urban conditions.
Connected species
Ties with other wildlife
Deer tend to leave it alone.
Name and classification
About the name
Korean fir and the closely related Khingan fir (Abies nephrolepis) can be hard to tell apart by appearance.
Varieties and forms
Popular include 'Silberlocke', whose needles curl up to show their silver undersides, and 'Aurea', with yellowish needles.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
ENEndangered·Very high risk of extinction in the wild
Status
South Korea's national red list rated it Endangered in 2020.
Threats
Wild stands face a shrinking range as the climate changes. Changes in surrounding vegetation can make it harder for young trees to establish.