Abies squamata, also known as Barked Fir or Flaky Fir, is a species of conifer found only in China. This evergreen tree grows up to 30m at a slow rate and has a reddish-brown bark that exfoliates in thin papery layers resembling that of a birch. Common in the Southeast of the Tibetan Plateau in an altitude ranging from 3200 m to tree-line in 4400 m, it is dominant on North-facing slopes and often grows with Balfour's spruce. The timber of Abies squamata is used for construction, furniture, and wood pulp. This tree is susceptible to stem rot and was reduced significantly due to government sector logging until a logging ban in 1998. Undergrowth is commonly dominated by members of the genus Rhododendron, and local Tibetans refer to this fir as "bollo". Purchase Abies squamata for a unique addition to your garden or landscape.
