Abies, Korean Fir 'Golden'

Golden Korean Fir | Abies koreana 'Aurea'

Height:  20 feet

Spread:  15 feet

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Hardiness Zone:  4b

Description:

An uncommon but highly artistic fir tree with rich golden needles and an irregularly spreading form; a wonderful accent tree for home landscapes, but particular as to siting

Ornamental Features

Golden Korean Fir is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive chartreuse evergreen foliage which emerges gold in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain chartreuse throughout the winter. The purple fruits are held in cones from late summer to late winter. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Korean Fir is an open evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a high maintenance tree that will require regular care and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Golden Korean Fir is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Planting & Growing

Golden Korean Fir will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.