Abies Grandis Sapling Trees

At a Glance

• Use: Specimen tree, tall windbreak, not suitable for clipped hedging
• Height: Up to 60m - not for small gardens
• Growth: Fast. Straight trunk, classic Christmas tree shape
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Type: Giant evergreen conifer
• Species: Abies grandis
• Delivery: Bareroot only, Nov-March

Appearance, Growth & Uses

Abies grandis is one of the tallest conifers you can grow, capable of reaching an impressive 60 metres in ideal conditions. This majestic evergreen develops a distinctive straight trunk with a classic Christmas tree silhouette when young, maturing into a towering column of glossy dark green needles.
The foliage has a beautiful lustrous quality, with flat needles arranged in neat rows along the branches, creating dense, dark green coverage that provides excellent screening year-round.

As a vigorous grower, it quickly establishes itself and can add substantial height each year once settled. The bark develops attractive furrows with age, and the overall form becomes impressively columnar.
This is not a plant for small gardens - it's designed for large properties, estates, and commercial timber operations where its full majesty can be appreciated.

It's a good tall windbreak, providing protection for buildings, livestock, and other plantings. Its dense evergreen foliage filters wind, maintains privacy, and creates an impressive vertical feature in the landscape.

Browse other large garden trees, other conifers, or our full range of trees.

Growing Conditions

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soils
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Moisture: Prefers consistent moisture
• Avoid: Dry, chalky, or waterlogged soils
• Maintenance: Minimal once established
• Hardiness: Very hardy, moderately wind resistant

It thrives in moist, fertile soils with good drainage. Unlike many conifers, it appreciates consistent moisture and will struggle in dry conditions.
It performs best in deep, humus rich soils, thriving in the cool, damp climate of northern Britain.

While tolerant of partial shade, it develops its best form and fastest growth in full sun. It's moderately wind resistant once established, but not recommended for very exposed sites.
Avoid planting in shallow, chalky soils or areas prone to waterlogging.

Garden Design Ideas

Use it as a magnificent specimen tree in large gardens or parkland settings where its full height can be appreciated. Plant as a single focal point or in small groups for dramatic landscape impact.

Create impressive tall windbreaks by planting Grand Firs in lines 3-5 metres apart.
Plant at least 20 metres from buildings and boundaries to allow space for full development.
Combine with other large conifers like Douglas Fir or Scots Pine for varied textures in forestry plantations.

History and Trivia

Abies grandis is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, from British Columbia to Northern California, where it grows in the coastal temperate rainforests.

Introduced to Britain in 1831, it quickly proved its worth in forestry operations. Some of the tallest trees in Britain are Grand Firs, with specimens over 50 metres recorded in Scottish estates.
The species name 'grandis' means 'large' or 'great', perfectly describing its impressive stature.

In its native habitat, it can live for over 300 years and reach heights exceeding 80 metres, making it one of the tallest tree species in the world.
Native American tribes traditionally used the bark for medicinal purposes and the wood for construction.

Britain's native red squirrels now mainly survive in forests of these North American conifers, having found refuge from competition with grey squirrels.

The wood is known in the timber trade as 'Hem-Fir' and is light, soft, with straight grain and good workability, making it valuable for commercial forestry. It's commonly used in construction, particularly for framing and general building purposes.