Family: Pinaceae

Abies procera, commonly known as the noble fir, is a large, elegant evergreen tree native to the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest of the United States, particularly Oregon and Washington. It can reach heights of 50–70 meters in the wild, with a narrow, pyramidal form and strong, straight central leader, making it highly prized for timber and ornamental purposes. Its needles are dark green on top with silvery undersides, stiff, and slightly curved, giving the tree a distinctive appearance. The cones are long, cylindrical, and often slightly resinous, maturing in a single season. Noble fir grows best in cool, moist, and well-drained soils, typically at elevations between 900 and 1,800 meters, and it thrives in the region’s wet, temperate climate.

In addition to its timber value, noble fir is widely cultivated as a premium Christmas tree due to its symmetrical shape, sturdy branches, and excellent needle retention. It is also appreciated in landscaping and reforestation projects for its rapid growth and adaptability to suitable climates. Although it is generally not invasive outside its native range, cultivation requires careful site selection to mimic its natural mountainous conditions. Conservation efforts in its native habitat focus on maintaining healthy forest stands and sustainable logging practices to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic Pacific Northwest species.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized in Great Britain
  
• Potentially allelopathic
  
• Possibly increased fire risks
  
• Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many different habitat types)
  
• Forms dense thickets
  
• Hybridizes with other Abies species
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Wind-dispersed seeds

Low Risk Traits:

• Despite ability to spread, no negative impacts have been documented
  
• Browsed by animals (which could limit its ability to spread)
  
• Non-toxic and non-allergenic
  
• Shade-intolerant
  
• Long time to reproductive maturity (25+ years)
  
• Does not spread vegetatively
  
• Used for Christmas trees
  
• Large, wind-dispersed seeds unlikely to be inadvertently dispersed