Silver fir (Abies alba) is a large evergreen conifer that will grow from 41 to 50 m tall. It has large, flat needles and produces big pine cones. Native to Europe, its pyramid shape makes it perfect for use as a Christmas tree. Grows in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.

Did you know that your last Christmas tree could have been a balsam fir? A common choice during the holidays, the balsam fir is native to North America and Canada and is well adapted to colder climates. The bark on young trees is smooth and gray. It contains resin blisters which often spray when ruptured, and then become rough and fissured areas of the bark.

Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) is native to southern Spain and northern Morocco. It can live for up to 300 years. It is an attractive and elegant tree suited to formal gardens. Traditionally, soap was made from the twigs by mashing them in water.

White fir (Abies concolor) is a tree that best flourishes in areas that experience long winters followed by cool summers. It does poorly in heat and humidity. Its native habitat is mountains in the Western United States.

As its name implies, the caucasian fir (Abies nordmanniana) is native to the Caucasus Mountains spanning Europe and Asia. This cold weather lover typically grows to about 15 m tall (and can reach 61 m), but much younger specimens are often grown and taken home as Christmas trees.

Grand Fir (Abies grandis) is a towering evergreen tree native to the American Pacific Northwest. The softwood lumber is useful for papermaking and the citrusy foliage scent makes Abies grandis a popular choice as a Christmas tree. The tallest recorded specimen in the wild is 81 m tall!

A needled evergreen tree, the Japanese or momi fir, can grow up to 18 m. It can be used as a Christmas tree or a screen on one’s property. This is best grown in hot, humid climates. The hewn or sawn timbers are also ideal for wall panels and light construction.

Fraser's fir is commercially farmed for use as Christmas trees in the United States; it is in fact the most popular tree for this use in the industry. The soft fragrant pine needles make the evergreen tree a good choice in gardens designed for the blind.

Abies lasiocarpa is a North American fir that naturally occurs at high altitudes, at the elevation of 305 to 914 m. Subalpine fir is a common Christmas tree, and it's a highly-prized landscape tree. There are three recognized varieties within the species of Abies lasiocarpa.

The tip of the leaf is pointed, usually fairly sharply but sometimes with a blunt tip, particularly on slow-growing shoots on older trees. The cones are 10–20 cm (4–8 in) long and 4 cm (1.6 in) broad, with about 150–200 scales, each scale with an exserted bract and two winged seeds; they disintegrate when mature to release the seeds.

The leaves are needle-like, flattened, 1.5 to 3.5 cm long and 2 to 3 mm wide by 0.5 mm thick, glossy green above, and with two white bands of stomata below, and rounded or slightly notched at the tip. The shoots are yellow-buff, glabrous, and often conspicuously grooved.

The shoots are green-grey at first, maturing pinkish-grey, with scattered fine pubescence. The cones are 4 to 7 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm broad, dark purple-blue before maturity; the scale bracts are long, green or yellow, and emerge between the scales in the closed cone. The winged seeds are released when the cones disintegrate at maturity about 5–6 months after pollination.

A. procera is a large evergreen tree up to 70 m tall and 2 m in trunk diameter, rarely to 90 m tall and 2.5 m in diameter, with a narrow conic crown. The bark on young trees is smooth and gray with resin blisters, becoming red-brown, rough and fissured on old trees.

Noble fir 'Blaue Hexe' is a slow-growing dwarf Noble fir that grows to a maximum height of 45 cm, far shorter than the 70 m typical of the parent. It is a standout garden shrub because of its striking blue foliage.

Korean fir 'Aurea' is distinct from other Abies koreana plants for its bright yellow needles. Its name comes from Latin and refers to the golden color of its foliage. Gardeners love this small tree for its color, particularly when purple cones appear among the yellow foliage.

A group of evergreen trees, faber's fir are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of faber's fir are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

Greek fir 'Meyer's Dwarf' is a hardy evergreen with a conical shape. This dwarf variety is perfect for small gardens and rockeries. It has bluish-green needles and tiny purplish cones that mature to brown. Despite its small size, it can live to be over 100 years old.

A group of evergreen trees, forrest's fir are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of forrest's fir are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

Guatemalan fir can grow to heights up to 45 m, making it hard to miss growing in moist mountainous areas. The conifer is cultivated for multiple uses which include timber, pulp, firewood, and Christmas trees. Guatemalan and Mexican law prohibits harvesting these trees from the wild.

Taiwan fir is a high-altitude conifer, thriving in subalpine zones where it withstands cold, windswept conditions. Resilient to the icy climate, it is an evergreen tree with a conical shape. Its needles are dense and dark green, offering a stark contrast to snowy backdrops. The cones are cylindrical, providing vital sustenance for mountain wildlife.

The siberian fir was named for its love of cold climates and its native habitat. The essential oils within the tree are steamed out and distilled for use in aromatherapy and perfumes, and the wood is used for all types of woodwork. Siberian firs are known to never grow older than 200 years due to the inevitable rot that will take them from within.

White fir 'Hosta la Vista''s powdery, blue-green needles and globose growth habit give this cultivar its distinct look. Discovered as a "witch's broom" off another white fir, the discoverer named it "view of the hostas" after where he had found it—in an arboretum overlooking hostas. White fir 'Hosta la Vista''s compact size, ornamental value, and ease of care make it popular among gardeners.

White fir 'Archer’s Dwarf' is so-named because it is a dwarf cultivar of White fir which grows to a height of just 180 cm. This is far smaller than the parent tree, which grows between 25 m and 60 m. This diminutive height and the tree's striking green-white needles make it a popular specimen tree for ornamental gardens.

Korean fir 'Silberperle' is a cultivar of the Korean fir named for its silvery foliage, and also for its buds which are small, round, and silver – just like a pearl. It grows 5 to 8 cm and reaches a mature height of just 61 cm - many gardeners like to place it in rock gardens.

Subalpine fir 'Compacta' is a cultivar of the Subalpine fir variety arizonica. It is noted for its exceptionally compact growth habit and attractive pyramidal shape. Compared to the parent plant, it grows at a significantly slower rate, which makes this cultivar a perfect choice for small gardens with limited space.

The characteristic uniqueness of korean fir 'Silver Show' comes from its needles. It sports a compact pyramidal and tightly curled shape with silver on the undersides. This cultivar is vastly different from the parent plant, Abies koreana, whose needles are flat and glossy green. It was given the name "Silver Show" for obvious reasons – it does put on a captivating show of silver.

Take one look at a white fir 'Compacta' and you'll see how it gets its name since it grows in an unusually dense and compact rounded shape. This dwarf white fir grows to just 75 cm which is much, much smaller than the lofty 60 m attained by the parent tree. This award-winning cultivar is a decorative tree with blue-white needles that is a popular addition to countless ornamental gardens.

A group of evergreen trees, korean fir 'Green Carpet' are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of korean fir 'Green Carpet' are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

A group of evergreen trees, korean fir 'Blauer Eskimo' are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of korean fir 'Blauer Eskimo' are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

A group of evergreen trees, white fir 'Piggelmee' are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of white fir 'Piggelmee' are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

A group of evergreen trees, shensi fir are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of shensi fir are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

A semi-dwarf cultivar, subalpine fir 'Green Globe' is distinguished by its dark green, non-fading needles and distinctive growth form. When young, the cultivar is globe-shaped (thus the name), but it becomes more conical as it ages. A slow-growing variety, it makes a great choice for small gardens.

The korean fir 'Alpin Star' is most likely named for the way its dark green needles look white and snowy from underneath. This is a compact and dense dwarf fir variant enjoyed in small gardens and rockeries because it grows slowly and reaches a maximum height of only 61 to 91 cm at maturity.

Spanish fir 'Glauca' is distinct for its grey-green needles. A cultivar of Abies pinsapo, its name means “silvery blue-green” in Latin. Gardeners love this tree for its interesting, architectural form and its drought tolerance. It will grow over 30 cm a year once established.

Shasta red fir is a majestic conifer native to the western United States. It can grow up to 70 meters tall and boasts a narrow pyramid shape. The needles are a unique shade of blue-green and emit a wonderful aroma when crushed. The tree's large cone size and impressive timber make it highly sought after in the logging industry. Additionally, its attractive appearance and delightful scent make it a popular choice for holiday decorations.

Spanish fir 'Aurea' is a golden Spanish fir which has a very long heritage: it was selected in 1868 by the Adren Seneclauze Nursery in France. It is named for its distinctive yellow needles, which appear very bright when they are young. This cultivar grows quite slowly and in a neat conical shape, so gardeners enjoy it for rock gardens and smaller spaces.

A group of evergreen trees, faxon's fir are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of faxon's fir are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

Double award-winning korean fir 'Kohout's Ice Breaker' is a uniquely compact, icy-needled fir. Found as a "witch's broom" off of a Korean fir 'Horstmann's Silberlocke,' this cultivar was named after its discoverer and icy coloration. Korean fir 'Kohout's Ice Breaker' has its prestigious reputation due to its dwarfish size, distinctive appearance, and extreme hardiness.

Balsam fir 'Nana' is a dwarf evergreen conifer, cherished for its compact, mounded shape and dense, dark green needles. This miniature variety of the balsam fir grows slowly, making it ideal for small gardens or rockeries. Its lush foliage and characteristic resinous fragrance embody its resilience in cold, northern climates, appealing to those seeking hardy yet attractive foliage plants.

Abies nephrolepis, commonly known as Khingan fir, is a species of fir native to northeastern China (Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shaanxi), North Korea, South Korea, and southeastern Russia (Amur Oblast, Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Primorsky Krai, southern Khabarovsk Krai). It is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree growing to 30 m tall with a trunk up to 1.2 m diameter and a narrow conic to columnar crown. The bark is grey-brown, smooth on young trees, becoming fissured on old trees. The leaves are flat needle-like, 10–30 mm long and 1.5–2 mm broad, green above, and with two dull greenish-white stomatal bands below; they are spirally arranged, but twisted at the base to lie flattened either side of and forwards across the top of the shoots. The cones are 4.5–7 cm (rarely to 9.5 cm) long and 2–3 cm broad, green or purplish ripening grey-brown, and often very resinous; the tips of the bract scales are slightly exserted between the seed scales. Each seed scale bears two winged seeds, released when the cones disintegrate at maturity in the autumn. It is closely related to Abies sachalinensis, Abies koreana, Abies veitchii, and Abies sibirica, which replace it to the east, south, southeast, and west respectively. The range abuts that of A. sibirica and hybrids occur where they meet; these have been named as Abies × sibirico-nephrolepis Taken. & J.J.Chien. The wood from this tree was used for pulp production during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1920s.

Spanish fir 'Horstmann' is named after Günter Horstmann, who discovered this cultivar and released it through his family nursery. It is a dwarf Spanish fir growing to 1 m in ten years – a marked contrast to the parent plant's 20 m height. This attractive garden feature tree is prized among gardeners for its striking blue color.

A group of evergreen trees, pacific silver fir 'Spreading Star' are tall conifers that can grow as high as 76 m. They are easily recognized by the unusual way their slender, needle-sized leaves attach to each stem via a basal structure that looks like a small suction cup. The cones of pacific silver fir 'Spreading Star' are different than pine cones, as they stand erect rather than drooping and tend to be more slender than those of true pine trees.

Korean fir 'Silberlocke' (Abies koreana 'Silberlocke') is a very compact cultivar of Korean fir (Abies koreana) introduced by Gunter Horstmann in Germany. Its name means "silver curls" in German. For the first 10 years, korean fir 'Silberlocke' takes on a pyramidal shape and eventually branches out. The needles have silvery undersides and new cones show purple hues.

Noble fir 'Glauca' is distinct for its steel blue needles and blue cones that mature to brown. A cultivar of Abies procera, its name derives from the Latin word for “silvery blue-green.” This tree is slow-growing at first, but will eventually achieve up to 20 m in height, growing in a conical shape.

Abies holophylla also called needle fir or Manchurian fir is a species of fir native to mountainous regions of northern Korea southern Ussuriland and China in the provinces of Heilongjiang Jilin and Liaoning. It is an evergreen coniferous tree growing to 30 m (100 ft) tall and 1 m (3 ft) in trunk diameter with a narrowly conical crown of horizontal spreading branches. The bark is scaly and gray-brown with resin blisters. The leaves ("needles") are flattened 2–4 cm (⁄4–1 ⁄2 in) long and 1.5–2.5 mm (⁄16–⁄32 in) thick spread at right angles from the shoot and end in a point. They spread on two sides but not flat like for example in silver fir. Usually they more or less rise up forming with the shoot a V-shape empty compartment above it. Unlike in silver fir the leaves here are sharp and prickly without any indentation at the top. They are bright green above and whitish-green below with 2 whitish strips each of which is formed by 7–10 wax-covered stomatal bands. The shoots are glabrous shiny yellow-gray when young and turning gray-brown. The cones are 12–14 cm (4 ⁄4–5 ⁄2 in) long by 4–5 cm (1 ⁄2–2 in) wide yellow-brown and slightly tapering with a bluntly rounded apex. The scale bracts are hidden under the cone scales. The seeds 8–9 mm (⁄16–⁄8 in) long with a wedge-shaped wing 1.5 cm (⁄8 in) long are released after the cones disintegrate at maturity in fall. Manchurian fir is sometimes but not commonly used as an ornamental plant.

The grand fir was first described by Scottish botanical explorer David Douglas, who in 1831 collected specimens of the tree along the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. Abies grandis is a large evergreen coniferous tree growing to 40 to 70 m (exceptionally 100 m) tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 2 m.

Korean fir 'Blue Emperor' is a showy cultivar of the Korean fir, bred to be dwarf-sized. The cultivar can also be distinguished by its pyramidal shape, blue-green needles with a metallic sheen, and the famous, upright-standing, bright purple cones. This miniature slow-grower is perfect for small gardens with limited space.

Vejar's fir is a majestic conifer, typically found in the high altitude forests of Mexico’s mountainous regions. It boasts a distinctive pyramidal shape and dense, dark green foliage, with needle-like leaves that offer a sharp visual and textural appearance. The bark is smooth and grayish when young, becoming furrowed with age. Its robust stature allows it to withstand the harsh, cool climates it calls home, while its cones provide a striking contrast against the lush needles.

Sacred fir is a majestic evergreen conifer, standing tall with a pyramidal shape and reaching heights over 50 meters. Its needles are dark green with two distinctive white bands underneath. This towering tree is adapted to high-altitude life in mountainous regions, where it plays a crucial role in local ecosystems, serving as both a habitat to a variety of wildlife and an important cultural symbol.

Corkbark fir is a hardy conifer recognized by its spire-like shape and dense clusters of blue-green needles that offer a soft, feathery appearance. Typically found in the mountainous regions of the Southwestern United States, corkbark fir's thick foliage serves as a refuge from harsh altitudes and cold climates. Its bark is smooth and gray on young trees, becoming furrowed with age. The cones are small and purplish, maturing to a woody brown.