Abies alba

Botanical Description

Abies alba is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal crown that becomes flat-topped with age; it can grow 45 - 55 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for most of its height; up to 200 - 260cm in diamete[ 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. An important timber tree in central and western Europe, where it is harvested from the wild, encouraged to grow in semi-natural forests and also cultivated for its timber, which is traded. It has a range of medicinal applications and also provides tannins, essential oil, resin etc. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental and is sometimes used as a 'Christmas tree'. This tree is the only widespread species of fir in Europe. Its extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and population are beyond any of the thresholds for a threatened category and there is no evidence of continuing decline. In some areas it is probably increasing. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].