Abies pinsapo

• BOTANICAL NAME: Abies pinsapo
• PRONUNCIATION: a-BEEZ pine-SAP-po
• COMMON NAME: Spanish Fir
• FAMILY: Pinaceae
• NATIVITY: Spain.
• GROWTH HABIT: Broadly conical and stiff...stiff...STIFF!
• SIZE: 25 - 40' to 60' in native stands.
• HARDINESS: Zone 6 - 8.
• CULTURE: Sun and well drained soils. Is doing well at the National Arboretum. Possibly more heat tolerant than some give it credit.
• LANDSCAPE USE: Specimen tree in formal gardens or used for its distinctive habit.
• FOLIAGE: Alternate, radially arranged around the stem, 1/4 to 5/8" long.
  Foliage is stiff and plastic-like, with white bands beneath.
• BUDS: Globose and resinous, small.
• BARK: Smooth in youth, becoming rougher with age.
• FRUIT: Cone, sessile, 3/4", light brown.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cultivars are grafted.
• PESTS: None serious.
• CULTIVARS:
  • `Aurea' - yellow foliage
  • `Glauca' - distinct steel blue color.