Abies magnifica
California red fir, California Red Fir
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Pinaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Abies magnifica (California red fir) is a native California tree in the Pinaceae family.
California red fir is a native conifer found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in mixed conifer and subalpine forest at elevations of 1,500 to 2,700 meters. Growing majestic trees up to 57 meters tall with a cylindric crown and rounded top, this species develops distinctive gray bark with dark reddish ridges that becomes deeply furrowed with age. Its needles are bluish-green, approximately 3 centimeters long, and uniquely arranged in a flattened, almost four-sided pattern with white bands visible on the upper surface. The needles have a characteristic blunt or slightly notched tip, creating a soft, dense appearance across the tree's branches. Seed cones are impressive, measuring 9 to 23 centimeters long and hanging vertically from the branches in an oblong or cylindrical shape.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Listed as geographically isolated but has varieties; unclear range data
Habitat and range
California counties: Placer, Fresno, Mono, Modoc, Mariposa, Madera, Nevada, Mendocino, El Dorado, Butte, Amador, Alpine, Plumas, Tulare, Siskiyou, Sierra, Trinity, Tuolumne, Inyo, Shasta, Glenn, Humboldt, Kern, Tehama, Lassen, Calaveras, Del Norte
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudotsuga: Fir cones stand upright and disintegrate on tree; Douglas-fir cones hang down with pitchfork bracts and fall intact.; vs Pinus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; pine needles come bundled in groups of 2-5.; vs Picea: Fir twigs are smooth after needle drop; spruce twigs have rough, persistent peg-like bumps.; vs Sequoia: Fir has individual flat needles and upright cones; redwood has flat sprays of scale-like leaves and small round cones.; vs Cedrus: Fir needles attach individually to smooth twigs; cedar needles grow in dense rosettes on short shoots with barrel-shaped cones.
Frequently asked questions
Is Abies magnifica native to California?
Yes. Abies magnifica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Abies magnifica grow?
Abies magnifica occurs in Placer, Fresno, Mono, Modoc, Mariposa, Madera, Nevada, Mendocino and other counties.
What plant family does Abies magnifica belong to?
Abies magnifica is in the Pinaceae family, genus Abies.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.