Corkbark Fir
Erie, Colorado area landscapes {Monthly Series}
Corkbark Fir or Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica is a subspecies of Subalpine fir which is a high altitude western North American fir tree. It grows natively in the high altitudes of the southwestern Rocky Mountains in southern Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is sometimes used as an ornamental in our Erie Colorado Landscapes though it is often hard to find in local nurseries, coming available only once or twice a decade.
The one in this picture is located in a back yard in Erie Commons subdivision just south of the Erie Rec Center. It was planted about 10 years ago or so and is now about 7’ tall. They stay quite narrow and conical, and are slow growing, only putting on about 4” per year.
Its needles are blue green in color and it has a distinctive corky type yellow to whitish bark which is thickly furrowed. It will reach 40-50’ (in 50 years or more), and is hardy from USDA zones 5-7. It likes moderate moisture and full sun, though can handle partial shade. Like most Fir trees, the needles are soft to the touch. If you can find one, plant one.
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