Mission to see Santa Lucia Fir (Abies bracteata)

[Cruiser]

Does anyone know of easily accessed areas to see these trees in the wild? It seems like every road that leads to a known grove is washed out.. cone peak, no access; bottchers gap campground, closed…

The Monterey ranger district was unable to give me a solid answer on where to see these trees up close..

My wife and I are flying down to Monterey next week. The reason is that I’ve always wanted to see Santa Lucia firs. I’m desperate here.

 

[Cruiser]

No firs yet. Some other rarish trees…

Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa
Bishop Pine Pinus muricata
Monterey Pine Pinus radiata

There are some very large Monterey cypresses along the coast that are inspirational in a bonsai sense. The shorter branchier ones are excellent to climb as they have soft spongy bark and a sinewy habit to the limbs..

The book in the photos is The Sibley Guide to Trees

 

[Cruiser]

Nice movement in this Pinus sabiniana.

 

[Cruiser]

Mission Accomplished.
After a few cold calls and hours of searching, at last we found a Santa Lucia fir.
It may not be the most majestic example but I’m happy. The alternative was a 14 mile hike to see the big boys, which we were not prepared for.
Despite my willingness to climb for one, I could not find any cones. Kind of a shame really, since they are what this species is most known for…

 

[0soyoung]

Foliage and buds are remarkably similar to Douglas fir. Bark, well that is pretty smooth.
Cone is as unique as Douglas fir's (not a fir if fir no other reason than its cone dangles).

Seeing one of those bizarre Santa Lucia fir cones ....
... well, what do I need to say?

 

[Cruiser]

Not my photo… As you can see, out of this world. They only grow at the very tip tops of the trees, more so it seems than other true firs.
The needles are similar in appearance to Doug firs but larger and very pointed at the tips. No notches. Sharp enough to penetrate skin, which makes it all the more difficult to climb a tree and get a cone…

 

[Mikecheck123]

Not my photo… As you can see, out of this world. They only grow at the very tip tops of the trees, more so it seems than other true firs.
The needles are similar in appearance to Doug firs but larger and very pointed at the tips. No notches. Sharp enough to penetrate skin, which makes it all the more difficult to climb a tree and get a cone…

Looks like a delicious pineapple.

 

[Mikecheck123]

Not my photo… As you can see, out of this world. They only grow at the very tip tops of the trees, more so it seems than other true firs.
The needles are similar in appearance to Doug firs but larger and very pointed at the tips. No notches. Sharp enough to penetrate skin, which makes it all the more difficult to climb a tree and get a cone…

It took these people 4 years to find some seeds. So don't be discouraged that you couldn't do it in a weekend.

 

[Cruiser]

Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting that they’re trying to grow the seedlings in such a different habitat. The horticulturalist talks about losing some and the “trial and error”. He sounds like a bonsai practitioner

 

[Mikecheck123]

Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting that they’re trying to grow the seedlings in such a different habitat. The horticulturalist talks about losing some and the “trial and error”. He sounds like a bonsai practitioner

That was a little bit surprising to me as well and made me wonder about their experience and qualifications. Are these top notch scientists or enthusiastic volunteers?

Losing 5 out of 12 seems really high. Not rocket science!

 

[afleischer]

I just picked up one of these from Lone Pine Gardens in Sebastopol and came to the forums to see if anyone had some useful horticultural tips. Steve at Lone Pine said this one has been in the pot for 3-4 years and to me it seems to be looking quite healthy. Going to try to propagate from some cuttings and see how it goes. If anyone has some useful tips regarding this species I would love to hear them!

 

[Cruiser]

Interesting find.
As you’re likely aware, this is an endangered species and the rarest true fir species in the world.
Is it collected? That bark looks pretty mature, even compared to some older trunks I’ve seen.

 

[jszg]

Looks like a delicious pineapple.

A neat coincidence: the tree is named after the mountain range, but St. Lucy herself is often celebrated by having the girls wear a crown of candles- and the bracts, with a little imagination, could look like a wreath of candles, glittering with resin.

 

[afleischer]

Interesting find.
As you’re likely aware, this is an endangered species and the rarest true fir species in the world.
Is it collected? That bark looks pretty mature, even compared to some older trunks I’ve seen.

From what Steve told me it was not collected. It's one of two saplings that he grew out. The other he still has in the ground at his home.

 

[Cruiser]

Could you post some close up pics of the buds, needles, bark, and newly extended shoots? It will help assess where the trees at health-wise.
At a distance it does not look especially vigorous for a fir, but it can be hard to tell from just a photo.

 

[afleischer]

Could you post some close up pics of the buds, needles, bark, and newly extended shoots? It will help assess where the trees at health-wise.
At a distance it does not look especially vigorous for a fir, but it can be hard to tell from just a photo.

Here's a few I just snapped. Curious to hear your thoughts.

 

[Cruiser]

Here's a few I just snapped. Curious to hear your thoughts.View attachment 552633View attachment 552634View attachment 552635View attachment 552636

Man. That thing is awesome. I’m jealous.

I wouldn’t take cuttings. Let it beef up and settle in. Fertilize, figure out the best place to put it, and get to know the tree this season.

Get in touch with whoever grew it and get their advice on best care practices. Especially when and how it was repotted.

Some observations:

There’s epicormic sprouting low on the trunk. That lets you know it can bud back. If you want to reign in the crown and create a tighter canopy this will help.

Next years buds appear to be forming but are not yet mature. They should end up larger and pointy, similar to Douglas-fir buds. There’s photos in this thread.

The bark looks very mature. Not the thin smooth, blistered skin you’d expect.

The tree looks big overall, which is better proportion for the naturally long needles. What is that, a 3-4” diameter trunk?

You have a special tree there.
Read about the ecology of the species to understand where it grows and how it behaves; and look at examples of wild mature bristlecone firs for inspiration. If you can, visit them. This will help you pick a good design to work towards.

 

[afleischer]

I appreciate the nice write up. Yeah, I'm pretty excited about the future of this tree. I've already given it some food and will wait till next year before I really do anything.

If you have any book recommendations I would love to hear them, the few I have only contain small blurbs about this species.

One of the common things I've read is that it doesn't like to get too hot. I currently have it in a spot that is very close to full sun, whereas previously it was being kept in shade. I suspect it can handle the sun, I just need to pay attention to the forecast and if we get anything near 100 I should probably move it.

I'm in the office currently but I believe the diameter of the trunk is closer to the 4" mark, maybe slightly more.

If you're interested in seeing it's progress I'm happy to make regular updates to this thread.

Cheers.

 

[Cruiser]

ESCTP:: Abies bracteata Fact Sheet

Endangered Species Fact Sheet

www.elkhornsloughctp.org

Abies bracteata

I’m not aware of any books focusing exclusively on the species but most about western conifers mention them.
Ronald M Lanners’s Conifers of California has a good chapter. Donald Culross Peattie waxes poetic about them in A Natural History of Western Trees.


If it was previously kept in shade I would not place it in full sun. More sun does not always equal more growth. Once saturation point is reached in a leaf, excess light becomes heat. Partial sun would be better for now to help it acclimate.

Like most other true firs, bristlecone is adapted to wetter/cooler conditions. Do not treat it like a pine. The fact that they mostly grow on high northern aspects or in moist canyon bottoms clues you to what conditions they should be in. Canyon bottoms are wetter and shadier. A high northern aspect does not get as much sun and likely experiences significant snow melt in the late spring and into summer.

I’m growing many true firs. With free draining soil, the more water I give them the better they do.

 

[afleischer]

Thank you for the links, those had more/better information than anything I had found.

I'll definitely be reassessing the trees placement when I get home tonight based off of your awesome information. Really do appreciate your insights.