PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH
JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College
SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Abies koreana, the Korean fir, is a species of Fir native to the higher mountains of South Korea.
ABIES KOREANA KOREAN FIR With the widespread disease impacts to our beloved Colorado Spruce trees (Picea pungens) namely Cytospora and Rhizosphaera, we’ve encouraged our readers to explore alternatives to the overplanted Blue Spruce. It is difficult to find anything that holds a candle to the bright blue of ‘Baby Blue Eyes’ or ‘Moerheim’ but we can find equally beautiful, pyramidal evergreens to fill the niche left open by dying Spruce. This month we’d like to encourage you to check out Abies koreana, the Korean Fir. Now, much like the native setting of Colorado Spruce, this Fir is found growing on mountains in its native range of Southern Korea. The tree is very slow growing and can reach into the 50’ range with a lot of time, but we expect about half that height in any reasonable time frame. Trees are found between 3,000 and 6,000 feet on slopes with low organic matter and extremely well drained. However, these same mountain ranges experience a lot of rain, making them accustomed to a temperate rainforest.
performance. Heavy clay and poorly drained locations are not advisable. Find a higher point in the yard and amend the entire area (not just a little planting hole) if needed to help loosen up the clay.
These conditions tell you where you should and, more importantly, should not plant this tree to get the best
As with other firs, the cones are one of the premium ornamental features of this tree. Slowly maturing to a deep purple-blue, each
22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association
From an ornamental standpoint, this tree does not disappoint. The underside of each leaf has two thick rows of stomata that give a very silver appearance contrasting sharply with the deep shiny green on top of each leaf. This two color contrast creates a striking specimen plant and also works great as a screening.