About this tree
Abies nordmanniana, known as the Nordmann fir or Caucasian fir, is a large evergreen conifer native to the mountains south and east of the Black Sea in Turkey, Georgia, and the Russian Caucasus, where it typically grows at elevations of 900–2200 m. It can reach heights of 55–61 m tall with glossy, flattened, dark green needles and cylindrical cones. The species is named after Finnish zoologist Alexander von Nordmann. There are two subspecies, one of which is found on Mount Ida in Turkey. The Nordmann fir is characterized by soft rather than sharp needles and a resistance to shedding; as a result, it is widely cultivated as a Christmas tree and popular in parks and gardens. Its pale, soft wood is used for construction and paper. Due to its temperature tolerances, it has been planted throughout Europe as part of efforts to mitigate forest decline caused by climate change.