Nikko Fir
Abies homolepis
Family: Pinaceae
What it is like
Form: Pyramidal, Upright or erect.
Abies homolepis is an evergreen Tree growing to 36 m (118ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 36
Where it is found
Cool wet mountainsides. In mountain forests at elevations of 1000 - 1800 metres, generally growing in the intermediate zone between A. firma and A. veitchii.
E. Asia - central and southern Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Wood - light, soft, coarse grained. Used for construction, pulp etc.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Screen, Specimen. Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution. This species is the most tolerant of the genus to atmospheric pollution. Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5. Prefers growing on a north-facing slope. This species thrives in Britain, succeeding in the drier east of the country though growing better in the moister west and at its best in the Perthshire valleys of Scotland. Growth is fairly good, averaging around 30 cm per year for at least the first 100 years. Increase in girth is also reasonable, 1.2 metres in 36 years has been recorded. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance. The flowers are produced in axils of the previous year's shoots. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Special Features:Not North American native, There are no flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March. Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks. Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed. One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Canopy;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 4-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist