European silver fir Abies alba
European silver fir (Abies alba) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Mountains of central and southern Europe. It grows 25–50 m (82–164 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan European silver fir in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
European silver fir at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 25–50 m (82–164 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of central and southern Europe |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇹 Italy |
Is European silver fir toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with European silver fir
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about European silver fir
- How far apart should I plant European silver fir?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does European silver fir need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does European silver fir need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is European silver fir?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- Is European silver fir poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with European silver fir?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for European silver fir. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Shade-tolerant giant of Carpathian beech-fir forests; upright cones break up on the tree. The original Christmas tree of central Europe.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis