Non-Drop Christmas Tree Saplings

• Common name: Nordmann Fir, Caucasian Fir, Non-Drop Christmas Tree
• Latin name: Abies nordmanniana
• Type: Large evergreen conifer
• Sold as: Bareroot saplings in two sizes, and pot-grown in a 3 litre pot
• Mature size: More than 12m tall, in time 30m or more, and 4 to 8m wide. 20 to 50 years to full height
• Shape: Narrowly conical, with a straight trunk and down-swept branches
• Use: Specimen tree, tall screening, growing your own Christmas tree. Not for a clipped hedge
• Best soil and site: Moist but well-drained, slightly acid soil: loam, clay or sand. Full sun, with shelter
• Pruning: None needed
• Hardiness: H7, hardy in the severest British winter
• Delivered: Bareroot, November to April. Pot-grown, all year when in stock. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Nordmann Fir is the Christmas tree that holds its needles, an evergreen conifer with glossy dark green foliage and a narrow conical shape. Left to grow it makes a large tree of 30 metres or more, in moist, slightly acid soil in full sun. These are young saplings, bareroot or in a 3 litre pot.

Non-Drop Christmas Tree Saplings

Appearance, Growth & Uses

Nordmann Fir is a magnificent evergreen conifer that develops into an impressive specimen tree with a distinctive straight trunk and perfect Christmas tree silhouette.
This majestic tree reaches up to 60 metres in ideal conditions, but is quite slow growing.

The dense, glossy, dark green needles create an attractive layered appearance on the symmetrical branches, maintaining an elegant architectural presence.

It maintains its classic conical form throughout its life. The bark becomes attractively furrowed with age, and the overall form remains impressively columnar and neat.

It excels as a tall screening tree, providing year-round privacy and wind protection, although it's not recommended as a frontline windbreak tree in very exposed areas.

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

Growing Conditions

• Soil: Deep, well-drained soils
• Light: Full sun. Young trees tolerate shade
• Moisture: Tolerates various moisture levels once established
• Avoid: Waterlogged or very dry soils, urban pollution
• Maintenance: Minimal once established
• Hardiness: Very hardy, reasonably wind resistant

Nordmann Fir thrives in deep, well-drained soils, preferring a moist, acidic site.

It won't grow on shallow chalk, but should tolerate mildly alkaline soils.

It's not suitable for dry sites or polluted urban areas.

Young trees are shade-tolerant, but want to grow up into the sun reasonably quickly.

Garden Design Ideas

Use Nordmann Fir as a magnificent specimen tree in large gardens where its full height and perfect symmetry can be appreciated.
Plant as a single focal point or in small groups at 4-6 metre spacing for dramatic landscape impact.

Perfect for framing views and creating vertical structure in large garden designs.
The dense foliage provides year-round screening and privacy.

History & Trivia

Abies nordmanniana is native to the mountains of Turkey, Georgia, and the Caucasus region, where it grows in cool, moist mountain forests at high altitudes.

Introduced to Britain in 1848, it became the preferred Christmas tree species from the 1950's, when its excellent needle retention after being cut down was widely known.
On the living tree, each needle remains for up to 20 years, longer than any other fir species.

It's named after Alexander von Nordmann (1803 to 1866), a Finnish Professor of Botany in the Russian Empire (Finland became independent from Russia in 1917).

In its native habitat, Nordmann Fir can live for over 500 years.

The timber, classed as a whitewood (as opposed to redwood), is used for construction and paper production.

Planting Companions

We sell two other conifers as young plants for the same kind of planting: Norway Spruce and the native Scots Pine. Dust the roots of bareroot saplings with Rootgrow as you plant.

Why Ashridge?

Ashridge has sold trees since 1949 and is a Which? Best Plant Supplier 2025. Your bareroot Nordmann Fir saplings are lifted to order while dormant and guaranteed for 12 months. The pot-grown plant can be planted in any month, and real people answer the phone in Somerset.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Nordmann Fir called the non-drop Christmas tree?

Because it holds its needles after it is cut, which is why it has been the preferred Christmas tree in Britain since the 1950s. The needles are soft, glossy and dark green.

How fast does a Nordmann Fir grow?

Slowly to begin with, then at a moderate pace. It takes 20 to 50 years to reach full height, which is 30 metres or more if you leave it.

Can you grow Nordmann Fir as a hedge?

No. It is not suitable for clipped hedging, and it needs no pruning at all. Grow it as a specimen, in a group, or as a tall screen.

What soil does Nordmann Fir need?

Moist but well-drained soil that is slightly acid: loam, clay or sand. It will not grow on shallow chalk or on dry ground, but should take a mildly alkaline soil.

Does it need full sun?

A grown tree does. Young trees tolerate shade, but they want to grow up into the sun reasonably quickly. Give yours some shelter from the strongest winds.

When are the saplings delivered?

Bareroot saplings come from November to April, while they are dormant. The plant in a 3 litre pot can come in any month when you find it in stock.