Abies fraseri

A glacial relict and southern Appalachian endemic occurring above 1,200 m from southern Virginia to North Carolina and Tennessee. Historically a local a canopy dominant in its best-developed sites. Following moderate losses due to logging and land-clearing in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the species has more recently experienced declines due to an introduced insect pest (the Balsam Woolly Adelgid), for which there is currently no effective mitigation. Adelgid impacts are somewhat exacerbated by other threats such as pollution and trampling.

Abies fraseri is a southern Appalachian endemic, occurring above 1,200 m from southern Virginia to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The species is also planted for forestry and the Christmas tree trade. It is reported to be persisting in Georgia (although not native there) and cultivated but not persisting in West Virginia.

Fraser Fir is a glacial relict species that occurs on 7-10 mountain crests in the southern Appalachians. Mapped broadly, these might be considered 7-10 occurrences. Mapped more finely, there is 1 occurrence in Virginia, 10 extant and 10 historical occurrences in Tennessee (many of which connect with North Carolina occurrences), and approximately 25-30 occurrences of pure fir stands or fir stands mixed with spruce and sometimes hardwoods (depending on elevation) in North Carolina. North Carolina figures are approximate as this species is mapped only as a component of natural community occurrences at present.

Abies fraseri is threatened across its limited range by the insect parasite, Balsam Woolly Adelgid, which has caused substantial direct and indirect effects (Ammon 1970, Eager 1984, White 1984, Witter 1988, Witter & Ragenovich 1986, Zedaker et al 1988). Adelgid infestation causes selective mortality of adult fir trees. Heavy mortality of the fir canopy trees has caused changes in understory vegetation (Boner 1979, Busing & Clebsch 1988, Busing et al 1988, DeSelm & Boner 1984, Nicholas 1992, Nicholas & White 1985, Nicholas, Eager & Peine 1999, Pauley & Clebsch 1990, Smith 1997, Smith & Nicholas 1998) by increasing competition from the invading shrub and herb species. Further, infestation reduces the seed viability of the few surviving old-growth fir trees (Fedde 1973, Nicholas et al 1992) and increases their susceptibility to fungal infection. Infestation can also prevent saplings from attaining reproductive age. The decimation of fir populations threatens the genetic viability of the species. Harvest of saplings and collection of what viable seed that may be produced may decrease the remaining genetic variability even further. The direct stress of adelgid populations on mature Fraser Fir trees is compounded by stresses imposed by the increasing recreational use of its montane habitat. Recreation activity can cause a decrease in plant cover, leading to soil erosion, and potentially, an increase in tree loss due to windfall. It may also open a window for invasion by exotic plants. Erosion due to heavy hiking traffic and grazing can expose root systems of trees which perhaps leaves them more susceptible to disease infection. Major openings in the forest canopy (from logging or fire, etc.) are a serious hazard due to the exposure of the soil to erosion; regeneration is slow to occur following such a disturbance. Also at some risk of habitat loss and fragmentation, with a small portion of this species' habitat having been lost on private land through development. Threatened by pollution, as acid deposition seems to have impacted regeneration (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).