Pinaceae - Pine Family
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 67
Fraser Fir
Albies fraseri
This Fraser Fir lives on a mountain near Asheville. There is so much new life happening this time of year. There are new female and males cones growing.
This tree lives at the Asheville Botanical Gardens in the woods on a quiet winding path. This tree usually grows at a higher elevation. It is doing well where it lives perhaps because it is in a cool shady wooded area. www.ashevillebotanicalgardens.org
One can always identify the Fraser Fir by its needles. They are round ended and not sharp; making them friendly to the touch. They grow in a way that reminds me of the part in a person's hair when they part their hair in the middle of their head. The needles are flat and they are fragrant. There are also two distinct white lines on the underside of each needle. I have a time seeing these lines; however, with a hand lens or microscope you can see them quite well. While looking in my microscope I found it so interesting that the fir needles are stemless. The Hemlocks and Spruce needles all have little stems connecting them to the twigs.
The easiest way to identify a Fir tree is by observing that fir cones stand upright on the branches, and fir needles are flat and friendly. You can differentiate Fir from Spruce for Spruce cones hang down and their needles are sharp and round.
The Fraser Fir is named after the Scottish botanist, John Fraser (1750–1811), who made numerous botanical collections in this region.
The American Forest Champion Fraser Fir lives in Virginia. It is 96 feet tall and has a 116 inch circumference.
http://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/fraser-fir-abies-fraseri-2/
My favorite Fraser Fir Trees live on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the higher elevations. The Richland Balsam trail has beautiful Fraser Firs living all along the trail.
For the love of the trees,
Becky
"A Year With the Trees" - Tree Number 67
Fraser Fir
Albies fraseri
Spring
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| Fraser Fir female cones |
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| Fraser Fir male cones |
Summer
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| Fraser Fir in the Summer at the higher elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
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| Fraser Fir in the Summer at the higher elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway |
Fall
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| Fraser Fir |
One can always identify the Fraser Fir by its needles. They are round ended and not sharp; making them friendly to the touch. They grow in a way that reminds me of the part in a person's hair when they part their hair in the middle of their head. The needles are flat and they are fragrant. There are also two distinct white lines on the underside of each needle. I have a time seeing these lines; however, with a hand lens or microscope you can see them quite well. While looking in my microscope I found it so interesting that the fir needles are stemless. The Hemlocks and Spruce needles all have little stems connecting them to the twigs.
Winter
The easiest way to identify a Fir tree is by observing that fir cones stand upright on the branches, and fir needles are flat and friendly. You can differentiate Fir from Spruce for Spruce cones hang down and their needles are sharp and round.
The Fraser Fir is named after the Scottish botanist, John Fraser (1750–1811), who made numerous botanical collections in this region.
The Champion Fraser Fir Trees
North Carolina's Champion Big Tree Database
Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri)
County: Jackson
Town: Cashiers
Owner Name: High Hampton Inn & Country Club
Nominator Name: Ken & Pam Knox
Native: Yes
Directions: High Hampton Inn, approximately 1.5-2 miles South of Cashiers on East side of Rt. 107; tree is in front lawn of Inn and next to golf course.
Latitude: 35� 05' 54.07"N
Longitude: 83� 04' 56"W
Town: Cashiers
Owner Name: High Hampton Inn & Country Club
Nominator Name: Ken & Pam Knox
Native: Yes
Directions: High Hampton Inn, approximately 1.5-2 miles South of Cashiers on East side of Rt. 107; tree is in front lawn of Inn and next to golf course.
Latitude: 35� 05' 54.07"N
Longitude: 83� 04' 56"W
The American Forest Champion Fraser Fir lives in Virginia. It is 96 feet tall and has a 116 inch circumference.
http://www.americanforests.org/big-trees/fraser-fir-abies-fraseri-2/
My favorite Fraser Fir Tree
My favorite Fraser Fir Trees live on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the higher elevations. The Richland Balsam trail has beautiful Fraser Firs living all along the trail.
For the love of the trees,
Becky
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| My teacher at Tremont in the Smokies, Ken Voohris, says you can tell the Fraser Fir from the other conifers by the needles. The Fraser Fir needles are flat, friendly, and fragrant. Find a Fraser Fir and notice the needles. |
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