The Tree Spotlight: For Firs Sake!

Hello everyone,

As we are now in the full spring season, I would like to spotlight some beloved conifers that you should consider adding to your yard. Some come with a bit of personal bias, as I have some planted in my yard.

Up First: The (White, or Concolor fir), a Western American native species ranging from Colorado to Southern California, New Mexico and into Mexico, can grow to 100 feet in the wild, apparently, but in a garden setting you are more likely to see it get to 30 or maybe 50 feet in time, and half as wide. Now this one pictured is mine, and what I've learned from our Plant Healthcare Crews is that it's actually quite a specimen in this area as they can be somewhat challenging in the Cincinnati area, but still growable if you give it the right conditions.

The biggest challenges around here are:

• Heavy clay soils common in southwest Ohio

• Summer humidity and heat

• Poor drainage during wet periods

• Occasional winter salt exposure near roads

  
  

What people notice first are its long needles, which are particularly silvery-blue and curve outward and up. Unlike a Colorado blue spruce, the fir’s foliage is soft (almost rubbery-like) to the touch, far less stiff. It is also far less trouble-prone than the Colorado blue spruce, which, if you’ve encountered a case of spruce gall, spider mites, or the canker that can affect lower branches, you will know how disfiguring these issues can be. Stated simply: If you want a big blue pyramidal conifer in Zones 4-7, this fir is it (just not in heavy clay, which it apparently will not tolerate).

White fir naturally prefers cooler mountain climates with well-drained soils.

That said, among firs, Concolor fir is actually considered one of the more heat-tolerant and adaptable species. It is often recommended for the Midwest because it handles heat and drought better than many other firs.

To succeed in Cincinnati:

• Plant in full sun

• Avoid low wet spots

• Improve drainage if you have clay soil

• Plant slightly high or on a berm/mound

  

• Mulch but keep mulch away from the trunk

• Water during summer drought the first few years

If your yard has compacted clay that stays wet in winter/spring, the tree may decline slowly over time from root stress.

Up Next: for our area, these conifers are usually easier and more reliable:

Eastern White Pine

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  Personally, I'm a sucker for white pines, and I would love to have one. Its fine feathery needles, open canopy, and straight trunk get more picturesque with age. These trees are fast-growing and long-lived.

  
  

  Norway Spruce

  

  • I have 2, and I love them. You can plant and almost forget about them from a

    maintenance standpoint. This sun-loving, 40 to 60-foot high tree is often used as windbreaks, screens, or hedges in large-scale landscapes. Plant one today!

  • Honorable mention: Green Giant Arborvitae

Hemlock

While not a fir. The Eastern Hemlock can grow in our area, but it is usually considered a difficult long-term tree there because our climate is warmer and drier than what hemlocks prefer. Having said that, they can be planted and thrive in shady moist areas in your yard.

In Cincinnati, they do best if you can provide:

• morning sun / afternoon shade,

• protection from hot west sun,

• mulch over the root zone,

• evenly moist soil,

• and good air circulation.

They often struggle when planted:

• in open baking lawns,

• next to pavement,

• or in compacted clay soil.

I have 2 planted in my side yard, where there isn't much sun, and the soil is always moist.

They love it, and they hide my home's meter boxes.

Canaan Fir

Originates from isolated pockets of West Virginia and the Appalachian Mountains — a natural hybrid zone between Fraser and Balsam Fir.

• Long overlooked because it was hard to reach in the wild, it became popular when growers realized how adaptable it is.

• Has the fragrance of Balsam Fir but grows more reliably in varied climates like ours.

• Known for its “best-of-both-worlds” traits.

Lastly, healthy trees start with healthy soil. Some of my trees benefit from seasonal support, while others only need periodic treatment.

It's a constant battle with our compacted, clay-heavy soil. However, we offer tree programs that focus on root-zone conditions, moisture availability, and nutrient balance.

Leave the health of your trees in the hands of our experienced team—and watch them flourish for years to come.