Abies kawakamii

RHS Plant Profile

Formosan fir

Other common names

Taiwan fir

Synonyms

Abies mariesii var. kawakamii

Conifers Trees

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Upright-growing, evergreen coniferous tree, reaching a height of 15m when mature and grown in optimal conditions. Bark on young trees is grey, later grayish-brown with scales. Needles are 10-15mm short, linear, rounded at the tip, dark green with white lines around the tip and on the below side, densely arranged around branchlets. New vegetative buds are very resinous, egg-shaped, approx. 5mm long. Pollen cones are yellowish, up to 1cm long. Seed cones are dark blue when young, up to 9cm long and 4cm wide, maturing through bluish-purple to purplish-brown.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Abies are evergreen conifers, often very tall, with whorled branches bearing flattened, linear leaves, often whitish beneath, and on the upper branches, large cones which break up whilst attached to the tree
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in deep, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils in cooler climates. This species comes from high montane forests of Taiwan, and performs best in areas with high humidity and rainfall. See conifer cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus but generally disease-free