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Common Name: Spanish fir
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 6 to 7
Native Range: Southern Spain
Height: 50 to 75 feet
Spread: 15 to 30 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Culture
Best grown in moderately rich, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Trees tolerate neutral to slightly alkaline soils. Trees may grow poorly in heavy clay soils. Trees are native to mountain slopes and generally have better tolerance for hot and dry conditions than many other trees in this genus. This tree is not reliably winter hardy to USDA Zone 5.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Spanish fir is native to a limited number of dry mountain areas in southern Spain in elevations from 3000’ to 6000’. This is a somewhat narrow, evergreen conifer that matures to broad pyramidal. Trees are slow growing, but eventually rise to 50-75’ tall. Branching typically extends to the ground. Short, rigid, sharp-pointed, linear, dark green leaves (needles to 3/4” long) are arranged radially around the branchlets. Seed cones (to 5” long) emerge greenish pink to purple, maturing to brown. After reaching maturity, the cones disintegrate releasing the seeds. As is distinctive with the firs, the cones appear upright on the branches. Pinsapo may come from Spanish pino (pine) and sapo (fir) in reference to the tree being a fir in the pine family.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Insect pests for firs include adelgids, bark beetles, spruce budworms, aphids, bagworms and scale. Spider mites may occur in hot conditions. Disease problems include root rots, needle rust and twig blight Trees are generally intolerant of urban pollution.
Garden Uses
Interesting landscape specimen valued for its needles and attractive shape.