Explore the majestic Abies magnifica, commonly known as California Red Fir or Red Fir, a cornerstone of the high-country ecosystems in California and southern Oregon. This remarkable tree, with its impressive presence, plays a crucial role in these mountainous regions by acting as a significant water source. Flourishing at high elevations from the Cascade Mountains in Oregon to the Sierra Nevada in California, California Red Fir thrives in cool, moist climates with distinctive 4- to 5-month summer dry spells. The tree's adaptability to young, nutrient-poor soils, ranging from Entisols to Spodosols, reflects its resilience.
With monoecious growth, California Red Firs display striking purple-red male strobili and large, oblong cones. They start producing seeds as early as 35 years, with heavy yields every one to four years. Besides serving as a prolific timber source for construction, these trees, often called "silvertip fir" due to their lustrous needles, are prized as Christmas trees.
Supporting approximately 111 bird species, 52 mammal species, and a select few reptiles, California Red Fir forests contribute richly to biodiversity.
