White Fir Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing white fir.

Light

White fir prefers to grow infull to partial sun.

Keep younger trees in full sun either shaded or well irrigated.

White fir tree growing in a tall triangular shape next to cement pathway

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

It is very adaptable, though, and will take to almost any conditions other than standing water.

Water

The white fir is extremely drought-tolerant once it has established itself.

Giving your tree supplemental irrigation is important toensure healthy root growthduring the first growing season or two.

White fir tree trunk and branches with blue-green needles closeup

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Fertilizer

There is no need to fertilize a mature white fir once it has been established.

You may want to help your young tree along a bit by using a fertilizer specifically formulated for evergreens.

Once your tree reaches maturity, it will not need supplemental fertilizer.

White fir tree ‘Compacta’ with blue-green needle branches in a triangular shape in middle of forest

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

However, prune away dead, broken, or diseased branches when you see them.

In the winter, remove branches that are touching the ground to improve the air circulation around the tree.

Otherwise, you might want to leave a white fir undisturbed.

White fir tree ‘Compacta’ branches with blue-green needles growing upwards

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Harvest seeds when the tree’s cones shed seeds in late September or early October.

Seeds germinate in the spring.

Applyinsecticidal soapsor oils to minimize the issues.

White fir ‘Piggelmee’ tree growing as a short shrub with clustered branches of blue-green needles

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Fungal issues can include twig blight, canker, androot rot, especiallyArmillaria root rot.

Also keep the tree watered, but avoid overwatering, especially near the trunk, in very dry weather.

However, stay on the lookout for any of these issues.

Weak Limbs

Watch for broken, dangling limbs that need to be removed.

Strong winds may damage taller trees.

Scarred Trunk

White fir has thin bark.

Be careful when mowing around the tree.

Accidentally banging into the tree can cause scarring or wounds.

It is likely a pop in of a pop in of rust, root rot, or blight.

White fir is a good tree if it has enough room around it to grow.

These two fir trees grow much the same size but the needles look different.

White fir branches have fewer needles and they are grayish.Douglas firbranches are densely packed with brighter green needles.

Note also that the white fir lasts longer than the Douglas fir as aChristmas tree.

White fir is a softwood commonly used in construction.

White Fir.University of Washington.

High Elevation White Pines.USDA.

Abies Concolor: White Fir.University of Florida Extension.

Hem-Fir and White Fir.Western Woods Product Association.