Abies magnifica - Conifer - California Red Fir, Red Fir Page

Abies magnifica, also known as the California Red Fir or Red Fir, is an evergreen tree that grows well in heavy clay soils. It requires a cool position in a good moist but not water-logged soil. It is very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth may be slower in dense shade. The tree prefers growing on a north-facing slope. This large tree can grow up to 40-60 m tall and 2 m trunk diameter, and is typically found in the mountains of southwest Oregon and California in the United States. The Red Fir is a high elevation tree, usually found at elevations between 1,400–2,700 metres, though it rarely reaches tree line. The bark of old trees gives the tree its name, as it becomes a beautiful orange-red color. Red Fir is an important forest tree and its wood is used for general structural purposes, paper manufacture, and it is also a popular Christmas tree. Its high-quality young Silvertip Firs, with dense dark-green needles, sell for top prices as Christmas trees. The Red Fir dominates large areas of high country, which are a major source of water, especially in California. This makes the Red Fir a significant tree for those interested in preserving the environment and ecology of natural forests.