In nature, firs are tall, erect, symmetrical trees with
uniformly spaced branch whorls. Though sometimes confused with
spruces (Picea), they have softer needles that fall directly
from the stems (spruces leave short pegs behind), and their
large cones grow up rather than down. Cones shatter after
ripening, leaving a spiky stalk. Most are high-mountain plants
that do best in or near their natural environments. They grow
slowly if at all in hot, dry,windy areas at low elevations,
though firs from some other parts of the world do well in warm,
dry climates. Christmas tree farms grow native firs for cutting,
and nurseries in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California
grow a few species for the living Christmas tree trade. Licensed
collectors in the Northwest dig picturesque, contorted firs at
high elevations near the timberline and market them through
nurseries as “alpine conifers.“ Use these in rock gardens; small
specimens are good container or bonsai subjects. Birds are
attracted by fir seeds. New growth on