Abies 735 



Isolated groups of a few trees, the remains of former forests, are reported to be 

 growing on the Sierra de Alcaparain, near Carratraca, north-east of Ronda, and at 

 Zahara and Ubrique, not far from Grazalema. Mr. Mosley of Gibraltar, who gave 

 me valuable help and information, saw A. Pinsapo also growing on the Sierra 

 Blanca de Ojen near Marbella. 



History and Cultivation 



This species was discovered by Edmond Boissier in 1837. He sent about 

 half-a-dozen seeds to M. de Vilmorin in the same year, and from one of these was 

 raised the very fine tree, which is now growing at Verrieres ^ near Paris, and which 

 is certainly the oldest cultivated specimen. This tree was in 1905, 70 feet high by 

 7 feet 3 inches in girth. Abies Pinsapo was introduced into England in 1839 by 

 Captain Widdrington,^ who was the first to obtain information about the existence 

 of a new species of Abies in Spain, though he was anticipated in its discovery by 

 Boissier. (A. H.) 



In cultivation this has proved to be, all over the southern, midland, and eastern 

 counties, one of the most ornamental of its genus, and is perfectly hardy on dry 

 soils throughout Britain, ripening seed at least as far north as Yorkshire. It is one 

 of the few silver firs that seems to require lime to bring it to perfection, and though 

 it will grow fairly well on sandy soils, it will not thrive without perfect drainage, or 

 on heavy clay. It seems to have a great tendency to divide into several leaders and 

 often forms a bushy rather than a clean trunk, unless carefully pruned. It is not 

 often injured by spring frost, and, though not likely to have any economic value, is 

 a tree that should be planted in all pleasure grounds on well-drained soil, and 

 in a sunny situation. 



The seedlings which I have raised grow at least as fast as those of A. pectinata, 

 and are hardier when young, but require five or six years' nursery cultivation before 

 they are fit to plant out. 



\ The wood is soft and knotty like that of most of the silver firs when grown 

 singly in cultivation. 



Remarkable Trees 



Though specimens of this tree of from 50 to 60 feet high are found in many 

 places all over England, we have not measured any which are specially remarkable. 

 The largest recorded at the Conifer Conference in 1891 was a tree reported to be 

 62 feet high by 9 feet in girth, at Pampisford in Cambridgeshire ; but these 

 measurements were erroneous, as it now is only 56 feet high by 7 feet 3 inches in 

 girth. Here there is a remarkable dwarf form^ of this species, which is only a 

 foot in height, with branches prostrate on the ground for 6 or 7 feet. 



The largest tree we know of is growing in a sheltered position in moist soil, at 

 Coed Coch, near Abergele in North Wales, the residence of the Hon, Mrs. Brodrick. 



' Hortus Vilmorinianus, 69, pi. 7 (1906). 2 Sketches in Spain, ii. 239. 



' This is var. Hammondi, Veitch, Conifers, ed. i. p. 105. 



