Abies

The Farges’ firs in the upper part of Mustila’s Etelärinne (Southern Slope) have survived for about 90 years, but are nevertheless a good example of how even the most promising exotic species fail to satisfy expectations in the long run. Not a single specimen of this fir, native to the mountains of south-west China, has grown into a proper tree, all having regularly frozen down to the snow line.

In the wild Farges’ fir grows into a massive tree with fresh green needles to each side of the shoot, though not comb-like as in some other species. The red-brown (occasionally bluish) cones are 5-9 cm long, but so far there has been no opportunity to admire them in Finland – perhaps one day, if a hardier provenance is found.

The only conifer species from the areas east of the Himalayas to succeed in Finland, so far at least, has been the Chinese (or Dragon) spruce (Picea asperata), and it is unclear why firs from the same area are less successful. Perhaps climate conditions in the collecting areas have not been ideal, bearing in mind Finnish conditions. This is unfortunate, as this species makes a magnificent tree.

Colorado fir is easily distinguished from the other conifers used in landscaping by its needles. Long and curved, the needles are a silvery grey-green on both upper and lower surfaces. The colour differs from tree to tree, much like it does on Colorado (or blue) spruce (Picea pungens), which is native to the same area in the American Rockies.

Colorado fir is not very long lived but forms a strong broad crown. When small, it is a beautiful tree but only maintains its beauty in full light. In forest shade it soon deteriorates, as have all the early plantations established by the founder of the Arboretum, A. F. Tigerstedt. What is more, most of the Colorado firs at Mustila seem to be susceptible to some kind of disease, to which only a few individuals have resistance. The best specimens grow in Pähkinärinne (or Hazelnut slope) and are mostly self-germinated descendants of older trees.

The most widespread of the North American firs, balsam fir grows on mires and at the edges of drier land, often forming mixed forests with broadleaf trees, black and white spruce (Picea mariana and P. glauca), and tamarack (aka American larch, Larix laricina). The crushed needles give off a typical balsam fragrance. This aromatic fragrance and the regular conical shape contribute to the popularity of this species as a Christmas tree in its native Canada, in addition to which the dark green needles also remain long on the tree indoors.

In Finland, balsam fir is the second most common of the firs, used mainly in parks. It hybridises easily with Siberian fir and very often park plantings include hybrids. Balsam fir also regenerates spontaneously and young growth forms close-growing mats in fir plantations.

Balsam fir is undemanding. At Mustila it grows quite happily on drier ground, though is of somewhat stunted growth on very poor soil. It is usually found here in plantations dating back to the Arboretum’s early days, grown from seeds received from the Dane, Johannes Rafn. Exactly where this seed was collected is not known.