Nordmann fir - Department of Horticulture - Michigan State University

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This Pot-in-Pot nursery in Denmark produces 90,000 to 100,000container-grown Nordmann fir each year.Showing the flag. Nordmann fir are marketed in Europe underthe “Original Nordmann” label.Christmas Tree Species Profile: Nordmann firAbies nordmannianaBy: Bert Cregg, Ph.D. Michigan State University, Department of Horticulture and Department of ForestryPhotos by Rick Bates, Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University, Department of HorticultureOne of the great things about working with Christmas trees is that we get to workwith some beautiful and fascinating plants. Over the years, many species of pines,spruces, firs, and even cedars have been used as Christmas trees. Each species hasits unique appeal and every species has a story. Beginning with this issue of theGreat Lake Christmas Tree Journal, I will present profiles of interesting Christmas treespecies used in the Great Lakes region and elsewhere. I’ll discuss the basic biology andecology of the species, highlight some of the advantages or concerns of the speciesfor Christmas tree production, and throw in a little trivia or other titillating tidbits.Nordmann fir Abies nordmannianaBeauty, as they say, is in the eye of thebeholder, but few can argue thatNordmann fir is among the most beautifulconifers found anywhere. Evenfamed plantsman Michael Dirr, who isnot given to feint praise, calls Nordmannfir,“stately, elegant, perhaps the handsomestof the firs.” Nordmann fir is by farthe most popular Christmas tree speciesin Europe and there is increased interestin the species in the United States. Thepopularity of this species is due to severalfactors. First and foremost are theglossy, dark green needles, which aredarker than almost any fir except forgrand fir (Abies grandis). Nordmann firneedles are directed forward giving the13
nordmann firfall 2007 great lakes christmas tree journalNordmann fir is a vigorousgrower under plantationconditions. Europeancustomers, however, donot like sheared trees sogrowers rely on plantgrowth retardants orphloem-wounding toolsto control leader growth.14upper surface of the branches a brushed,smooth appearance. There are two distinctwhite bands of stomata on theunderside of the needles, which producesa silvery effect when the undersidesof the branches are visible. But theneedles are just part of the species’appeal. Nordmann fir has outstandingsymmetrical form and a relatively openbranch structure with distinct whorls.These traits are valued in the EuropeanChristmas tree market where a layeredappearance and room for candles aredesired. Nordmann fir is a vigorousgrower under plantation conditions.European customers, however, do notlike sheared trees so growers rely onplant growth retardants or phloemwoundingtools to control leader growth.Extensive research on the genetics ofNordmann fir has been conducted inDenmark and the Danes have typicallyfavored the Ambrolauria seed source.However, tree improvement testing forU.S. environmental conditions and culturalpractices is probably warranted.North Carolina State University geneticistJohn Frampton notes:“Ambrolauria has been widely toutedas the best source of Nordmann fir in theUnited States, however, most AmericansNordmann fir are marketed as 3–4’ living Christmas trees in Denmark.do not realize that this is based on theEuropean preference for slow growth. Inreality, other faster growing Nordmann firsources are likely to be preferable for cultureunder an American shearingregime”. American Christmas TreeJournal 43 (2): 4–11.In its native range, Nordmann occurson calcareous soils and therefore maytolerate a wider range of pH than otherfirs. Like most firs, however, Nordmannfir needs adequate drainage for bestcontinued on page 32
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Nordmann fir - Department of Horticulture - Michigan State University

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