Southern Trees Fact Sheets

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

This document is about Abies concolor, commonly known as White Fir, a hardy evergreen tree valued for its blue-gray foliage and pyramidal form. It provides detailed information on its growth habits, cultural requirements, landscape uses, and adaptability to various soil and climate conditions. The text also addresses common pests and diseases, transplanting considerations, and notable cultivars, making it a practical guide for horticultural planning and tree care.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

This publication provides an overview of Abies firma (Japanese Fir), a slow-growing, evergreen tree native to Japan and suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5B–8B. Characterized by its dense, pyramidal crown and stiff, dark green needles, Japanese Fir reaches 20–30 feet in height and 10–15 feet in spread. It is valued for ornamental use, as a Christmas tree, and for screening purposes. The species thrives in acidic, well-drained soils under full sun and demonstrates high drought tolerance, making it an excellent candidate for southeastern landscapes. Japanese Fir requires minimal maintenance, exhibits resistance to pests and diseases, and has little invasive potential. Propagation is primarily by seed.

Edward F. Gilman, Deborah Hilbert, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, yDrew C. McLean

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman, Deborah Hilbert, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, yDrew C. McLean

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

This deciduous, 30-to 45-foot-high by 25-foot-wide tree has beautiful 3-inch-wide, tri-lobed leaves, glossy green above and paler underneath, which turn various shades of red, orange, and yellow in autumn. Flowers are bright yellow and showy in the spring. Trident maple naturally exhibits low spreading growth and multiple stems but can be trained to a single trunk and pruned to make it branch higher, allowing passage below its broad, oval to rounded canopy. With its moderate growth rate, attractive orange-brown peeling bark, and easy maintenance, trident maple is popular as a patio or street tree and is also highly valued as a bonsai subject. Crown form is often variable and selection of a uniformly-shaped, vigorous cultivar is needed.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Hedge maple is usually low-branched with a rounded form, but there is considerable variability from one tree to the next. The branches are slender and branch profusely, lending a fine texture to the landscape particularly during winter. Lower branches can be removed to create clearance beneath the crown for vehicles and pedestrians. The tree eventually reaches a height and spread of 30 to 35 feet but it grows slowly. The small stature and vigorous growth make this an excellent street tree for residential areas, or perhaps in downtown urban sites. However, it grows a little too tall for planting beneath some power lines. It is also suitable as a patio or yard shade tree because it stays small and creates dense shade.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Hedge maple is usually low-branched with a rounded form, but there is considerable variability from one tree to the next. The branches are slender and branch profusely, lending a fine texture to the landscape particularly during winter. Lower branches can be removed to create clearance beneath the crown for vehicles and pedestrians. The tree eventually reaches a height and spread of 30 to 35 feet but it grows slowly. The small stature and vigorous growth make this an excellent street tree for residential areas, or perhaps in downtown urban sites. However, it grows a little too tall for planting beneath some power lines. It is also suitably as a patio or yard shade tree because it stays small and creates dense shade. The leaves of this cultivar emerge yellowish and gradually change to green in the summer.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Ivy-leaf maple reaches 20 to 30 feet in height and is equally wide, with a broad, rounded, very dense, fine-textured canopy. The branches have a twisted and contorted growth habit which, along with the smooth, grey bark, creates an attractive winter silhouette. Upper branches are upright, middle ones horizontal and lower branches slightly pendulous. The crown is made up of a large number of finely-divided, small diameter branches with none really dominant.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Amur maple is an excellent, low-growing tree for small yards and other small-scale landscapes. It can be grown as a multi-stemmed clump or can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk up to four to six feet tall. The tree grows about 20 to 30 feet tall and has an upright, rounded, finely branched growth habit which creates dense shade under the crown.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Amur maple is an excellent, low-growing tree for small yards and other small-scale landscapes. It can be grown as a multi-stemmed clump or can be trained into a small tree with a single trunk up to 4 to 6 feet tall. This cultivar (or cultivar complex) is known to have bright red fruit which is very showy. The tree grows about 20 to 30 feet tall and has an upright, rounded, finely branched growth habit which creates dense shade under the crown. Due to excessive branchiness, some pruning is required early in the life of the tree to create dominant major branches. Amur maple can grow rapidly when it is young if it receives water and fertilizer, but it is well-suited for planting close to power lines since it slows down and remains small at maturity.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

This North American native reaches 50 feet in height with a broad, spreading canopy and grayish-brown bark which may be either smooth or scaly. The 2-to 5-inch-diameter, lustrous, dark green, lobed leaves which have a pale underside are noted for their striking brilliance in fall, when they change into beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow before dropping. The insignificant, hairy, yellow flowers appear among the leaves in late spring and are followed by the production of 1-inch-long, winged seeds.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

Perhaps the most beautiful maple, paperbark maple has trifoliate leaves and wonderfully orange to bronze, peeling, papery bark which provides year round interest. The bark begins peeling on the sculptured trunk and on 2-or 3-year-old branches. It may be cinnamon brown or orange but is usually a dark reddish-brown, looking particularly striking in the snow. Even small branches display exfoliating bark making this a true specimen tree, even at a young age. Most specimens are seen with multiple trunks which branch close to the ground, but proper training when young can create a single trunk. Paperbark maple has vibrant, scarlet, autumn foliage.

Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, and Deborah R. Hilbert

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID.

Edward F. Gilman yDennis G. Watson
Otros contactos: Michael G. Andreu

This 25-to 30-foot-tall native North American tree is reportedly quite similar to Acer barbatum or Florida Maple and is often seen with multiple trunks. The chalky white or light gray bark is quite attractive, with the bark on older trees becoming ridged and blackened near the ground. The two-to three-inch-diameter, lobed leaves, with fuzzy undersides, give a spectacular display in the fall months, ranging from shimmering yellow to vivid orange and deep red.

Edward F. Gilman, Deborah Hilbert, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan Klein, Andrew Koeser, yDrew C. McLean