bristlecone fir
Also known as: Santa Lucia fir
An evergreen, coniferous tree of slender habit, reaching up to 20 - 35m when mature. New distinctive shoots are non-resinous, long and spindle-shaped. Sharp-pointed, dark glossy needles, silvery green beneath, are among the longest and widest of all Abies, growing to 5cm long and 3 mm wide. They cover branches in 3 or 4 ranks. The species is also distinctive by its unique, golden-brown seed cones. Ovoid, up to 8cm long cones have large, protruding bracts with long, narrow, reflexed points, often covered with drops of resin.
Scientific classification
- Species
- bristlecone fir (Abies bracteata)
- Genus
- Abies
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Conifers · Trees
- Plant type
- Higher than 12 metres
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- Evergreen
- Foliage
- Columnar upright
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
bristlecone fir pictures
Distribution of bristlecone fir
Distribution map
Southwestern California
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Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of bristlecone fir
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bristlecone fir care guide
- Deep occasional watering, let soil drain freely
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Deep occasional watering, let soil drain freely
Fertilizing
FertilizingLight slow release conifer feed in spring
Pruning
PruningNo pruning required
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed
Growing
GrowingGrows best in deep, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soils in cooler climates. See conifer cultivation
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
Generally disease-free, but may be affected by honey fungus.
Pests
May be susceptible to adelgids and aphids
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