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need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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Posted by bunkers z5 CO (My Page) on Sun, Sep 21, 08 at 19:30
| This tree was taken down from the Mtns of Colorado over 30 years ago. Naughty kids. Well, it was always quite a dwarf, but now its grown a lot since it was planted over 30 years ago as a 2-3' tree from the mountains ...
It has a really nice smell that reminds me of my days as a boy scout camping up in the mtns.
I know its probably really obvious, but can anyone identify this tree and possibly also the leaf shaped insect as well.
Does the tree look healthy? It's a slow grower, but has a prety thick trunk to show its deceptive age. Probably planted around 1976-77 or so.
Thanks,
Scott
see the bug below? what is it?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| Bunk...concerning the insect...hit the link. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Kadydids
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| It's a beautiful specimen of Abies lasiocarpa, alpine fir. Doing very well and growing at a fast clip compared to in the wild. |
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| Wow, thanks ... that would make sense and explain why it smells so good and probably why its smell bring back memories for me ... of camping up in subalpine areas West of Boulder, CO. My parents have wondered what this was for ages ... and its made a wonderful christmas tree for over 30 years and never has had had any irrigation. |
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| Yep, Subalpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa. From the first pic, it looks like it might have a double leader from a forked trunk somewhere. This makes it potentially weak in storms, liable to split at the fork. Might be worth seeing if something can be done about this; if one trunk is pruned back a short way, it is unlikely to regain co-dominance. Resin |
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| Actually, very good observation ... it does have a split trunk about half way up .. then two leaders. I'm sure my parents won't do anything about it ... this tree will likely outlast them. Its been fun watching it grow over the years. I was literally a 2nd grader out at the corner bus stop when this tree with 2-3' tall. It was a puny thing for so long, could barely hold 1 strand of christmas lights. |
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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- Posted by bboy z8 WA USA (My Page) on
Thu, Sep 25, 08 at 23:29
| Short needles from Colorado would seem to point to A. bifolia. The small dead shoots may indicate a need for pest control. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Abies bifolia in Flora of North America @ efloras.org
RE: need ID of this conifer from the mtns of CO
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| "Short needles from Colorado would seem to point to A. bifolia" Correct, if one considers A. bifolia to be a distinct species . . . which most authorities don't! The taxon would have been better treated as A. lasiocarpa subsp. bifolia, but the Flora of North America appears to have discouraged use of the rank of subspecies (in conifers, at least). Resin |
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