CONIFEROUS TREES AND SHRUBS
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Silver fir
Abies alba
Silver firs are long-lived, slowly growing trees. They are ones of our highest native trees and they can reach as much as 60 meters in height. The tops of the silver firs form a characteristic flattening called a "stork nest". The relatively large cones grow vertically upwards, and when ripe they spread apart, leaving a prominent stem on the branch. The needles reach 1.5-3 cm in length, and they are flat and shiny. They are characterized by two white stripes of waxy coating occurring on the underside. The aphids feeding on the needles produce dew which is used to make honeydew honey.