The genus Abies, commonly known as firs, encompasses approximately 50 species of evergreen, coniferous trees within the family Pinaceae. These majestic trees are characterized by their spiral arrangement of needle-like leaves, distinctive upright cones, and pyramid-shaped growth habit. Abies species play a vital ecological role in temperate and mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere, providing habitat for wildlife, stabilizing soil, and sequestering carbon dioxide. Beyond their ecological importance, they are prized for their high-quality wood, which finds applications in construction and furniture making, and many species are cultivated for their ornamental value in gardens and parks. Abies is a remarkable genus that combines ecological significance with aesthetic appeal and economic value.

Abies concolor commonly known as White Fir is native to the western United States, through the Rocky Mountains from southern Idaho south through Utah and Colorado to New Mexico, Arizona and also Nevada. When mature it can reach a height of 20 to 25 metres or even a little more used in a garden or landscape situation a height of 12 to 15 metres is more usual. It is fairly slow growing at around 30 to 45 cm/year and even with good growing conditions it can take quite a while to outgrow its position in a large garden. It has a pyramidal shape and horizontal branching with the lower branches drooping toward the ground and for the best visual result it should be grown in an open area so the lower branches can touch the ground. The foliage is a wonderful blue-grey colour which appears much like that of the Colorado Blue Spruce. This makes it popular as an ornamental landscaping tree and as a Christmas tree. The foliage is also used in large quantities for Christmas wreaths and decorations owing to its soft needles and generally excellent needle retention and abundance. It is regarded as one of the most adaptable and less site exacting species of the fir genus and will withstand heat and drought better than most firs and can is cold hardy to -40°C.