Grand Fir (Abies grandis)
| Needle retention | Its weak point: buy late, cut fresh and keep watered |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Known for its strong fragrance |
| Needles | Glossy needles 1–1.5 in arranged in flat horizontal rows |
| Ornaments | Thick foliage when sheared; not rated for heavy ornaments |
| Color | Glossy dark green with white lines underneath |
| Grown in | British Columbia inland to Montana and south to northern California; a major Christmas species in Idaho and Montana |
| USDA zones | 4-6 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- One of the tallest firs: up to 300 ft in the wild.
- Marketable in 8–10 years.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · Oregon State University: Christmas tree choices · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox