92 THE CULTIVATED EVERGREENS 



The firs. 



The firs are not so valuable as the spruces for ornamental 

 purposes, for although attractive in eastern Canada when 

 young, they lose many branches and become ragged-looking 

 later on. In the coast regions of British Columbia, however, 

 they succeed particularly well and make fine ornamental 

 specimens for many years. 



The balsam fir, Abies balsamea, is a rapid-growing tree which 

 is quite attractive when young, with its deep green glossy 

 foliage, and is useful for temporary effects in the landscape. 

 When grown in the open, however, it becomes rather unsightly 

 after being planted twenty to twenty-five years, and at Ottawa 

 many specimens have died about this age. 



While some specimens of alpine fir, Abies lasiocarpa, have 

 killed back at Ottawa, most have proved hardy. Much depends 

 on the source of the plants or seed from which they are grown. 

 It has a denser habit of growth than A. balsamea and promises 

 to remain well clothed with foliage for a longer period. It is 

 wild in the Canadian Rocky and Selkirk mountains, and east 

 of the mountains in the Peace River district. 



Lowland fir, Abies grandis, is a native of the west coast of 

 Canada and grows to be very large there. When given abun- 

 dance of room it makes a fine ornamental tree. It does not 

 succeed in eastern Canada. 



White or amabilis fir, Abies amabilis, is native in the coast 

 regions of British Columbia and is not hardy in eastern Canada. 

 Its habit is more pendulous than that of most species. 



White or silver fir, Abies concolor, is the best ornamental 

 species in eastern Canada. Some forms are almost or quite as 

 blue as the Colorado spruce and, because of its more graceful 

 or less stiff outline, is more attractive than that spruce. It is 

 one of the most beautiful evergreens hardy in eastern Canada. 



