Korean Fir is a very popular ornamental conifer in gardens in cool temperate climates. It is native to the higher mountains of South Korea and is naturally found in only four isolated scattered locations and is regarded as endangered in the wild.
It is a slow growing, small to medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree with a pleasing conical outline. Eventually growing to a maximum size between 10-18m (approx 30-50ft) tall it has attractive foliage made up of broad flattened needles that are dark green above and appear white beneath due to the presence of two broad, vividly white stomatal bands.
Young trees are notable in producing cones at a very young, sometimes even on young trees that are only 1-2m tall (approx 3-7ft). These handsome barrel shaped cones are between 4-7 cm long and 1.5-2 cm broad, blue or purple in colour at maturity and are often seen in abundant quantities. As you can see in the photo the scale bracts are long, green or yellow, and emerge between the scales in the closed cone. The tiny winged seeds are released when the cones disintegrates at maturity during the Autumn -about 5 to 6 months after pollination.
The bark of the tree is smooth with resin blisters and grey-brown in colour. This species grows best in areas of higher rainfall with a moist, well drained acid soil. It will not grow in compacted or waterlogged soils or soils with a high pH. It is wind tolerant and dislikes air pollution. It has a naturally shallow root system and is relatively easy to transplant when young.
Grows and look at its best when planted in an open position with plenty of sun. It casts a dense shade but is not shade tolerant and is said to be more heat tolerant than most other members of the true fir family. Susceptible to damage from deer which can cause unsightly damage.
It is a slow growing, small to medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree with a pleasing conical outline. Eventually growing to a maximum size between 10-18m (approx 30-50ft) tall it has attractive foliage made up of broad flattened needles that are dark green above and appear white beneath due to the presence of two broad, vividly white stomatal bands.
Young trees are notable in producing cones at a very young, sometimes even on young trees that are only 1-2m tall (approx 3-7ft). These handsome barrel shaped cones are between 4-7 cm long and 1.5-2 cm broad, blue or purple in colour at maturity and are often seen in abundant quantities. As you can see in the photo the scale bracts are long, green or yellow, and emerge between the scales in the closed cone. The tiny winged seeds are released when the cones disintegrates at maturity during the Autumn -about 5 to 6 months after pollination.
The bark of the tree is smooth with resin blisters and grey-brown in colour. This species grows best in areas of higher rainfall with a moist, well drained acid soil. It will not grow in compacted or waterlogged soils or soils with a high pH. It is wind tolerant and dislikes air pollution. It has a naturally shallow root system and is relatively easy to transplant when young.
Grows and look at its best when planted in an open position with plenty of sun. It casts a dense shade but is not shade tolerant and is said to be more heat tolerant than most other members of the true fir family. Susceptible to damage from deer which can cause unsightly damage.
Germination, Sowing and After Care Information for
Korean Fir (abies koreana)
Seeds of the true fir species are relatively easy to germinate and grow. The dormancy within the seed is short and easily broken. This is achieved by a short period of cold stratification in the fridge.
You can do this by first soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours. Fully drain away all of the water and place the seeds in a zip-lock freezer bag. Place the seeds in the fridge, it is important that during this period that the seeds do not dry out or are waterlogged otherwise the pre-treatment will be ineffective. After between 6 and 8 weeks under these conditions the seeds are ready to be sown. In general, the seeds will fail to germinate unless treated in this way, simply sowing untreated seeds in compost at room temperature will not break down the dormancy and germination will be disappointing.
Fill your chosen container with a good quality general potting compost. Suitable containers could be plant pots, seed trays or plug trays or even improvised containers with drainage holes. Firm the compost gently and sow the seeds on the surface. If you are sowing in plug trays, sow 2 or 3 seeds per cell. Cover the seeds with a couple of millimeters of vermiculite or failing that a fine layer of sieved compost. Follow with a gentle watering and keep them at room temperature.
Germination will begin a few weeks from sowing. The seedlings are reasonably robust and trouble free and usually grow to a height of between 2 and 5 cm in the first growing season depending on the sowing date and cultural techniques. Densely sown seedlings are at risk from fungal diseases such as “damping off” which can cause rapid loss of many seedlings.
Developing seedlings should be fine in full sun, keep them well watered and free of competing weeds. Growth will accelerate in the second and subsequent years and the developing young trees should be re-potted as necessary preferably during the dormant season. After perhaps 3 years they are ready to be planted in their permanent position
