Abies fraseri, commonly known as Fraser's fir, is an endangered species of fir native to the Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. It is endemic to the Appalachian Mountains, where it grows in 48 populations on seven montane regions in the range.
Taxonomy
Abies fraseri is closely related to Abies balsamea (balsam fir), of which it has occasionally been treated as a subspecies (as A. balsamea subsp. fraseri (Pursh) E.Murray). Some botanists regard the variety of balsam fir named Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis as a natural hybrid with Abies fraseri, denominated Abies × phanerolepis (Fernald) Liu. in contrast to the "he balsam" (or Picea rubens, the red spruce) which could not be milked. It has also been called southern balsam fir,
Description
thumb|Close-up view of the foliage
Abies fraseri is a small evergreen coniferous tree typically growing to tall, rarely to , The cone buds usually open from mid May to early June. Female cones are borne mostly near the top of the crown and on the distal ends of branches. The male cones are borne below female cones, but mostly in the upper half of the crown. Seed production may begin when trees are 15 years old. Seeds germinate well on mineral soil, moss, peat, decaying stumps and logs, and even on detritus or litter that is sufficiently moist.
Distribution and habitat
thumb|Fraser's fir forest, with many trees killed by balsam woolly adelgid
Abies fraseri is restricted to the southeastern Appalachian Mountains in southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, where it occurs at high elevations, from to the top of the highest summit in the area, Mount Mitchell, at .
Pests
Abies fraseri can be severely damaged by a non-native insect, the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae) from Europe. The insect's introduction and spread led to a rapid decline in the species across its range, with over 80 percent of mature trees having been killed. The rapid regeneration of seedlings with lack of canopy has led to good regrowth of healthy young trees where the mature forests once stood. These young trees are now old enough for the bark to develop fissures, but despite this, there has been no resurgence by the adelgids. Threats include climate change and the aforementioned balsam woolly adelgid.
Cultivation and uses
thumb|A Fraser's fir as the 1995 White House Christmas tree
Although not important as a source of timber, the combination of dense natural pyramidal form, strong limbs, soft long-retained needles, dark blue-green color, pleasant scent and excellent shipping characteristics, has led to Fraser's fir being widely used as a Christmas tree. Fraser's fir has been used more times as the White House Christmas tree than any other tree.
The Christmas decoration trade is a multimillion-dollar business in the southern Appalachians. North Carolina produces the majority of Fraser's fir Christmas trees. It requires from seven to ten years in the field to produce a tree. In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation making the Fraser's fir the official Christmas tree of North Carolina.
Fraser's fir is cultivated from seedlings in several northern states and in Quebec, especially for the Christmas tree trade.