Abies pindrow Royle

Description :

A large, evergreen, tree 45 to 60 in tall with a diameter of 1.8 to 2.4 m. The crown extends to the ground with the branches drooping, forming a conical crown. The leaves are needles 2 to 4 cm long. The needles are arranged in two rows. It is monoecious. The male flowers or cones are in clusters on the lower sides of the last years shoots. The female flowers are in ones or twos, erect along the tops of the branches. They bloom between April and May. The fruit is the female cone, 10 to 16 cm long and 5 to 6 cm in diameter. When the cone matures it breaks apart allowing the winged seed to be distributed by the wind. The seed is 1 to 1.2 cm long with a thin, papery wing that is 2 to 2.4 cm long. It is reproduced from seed. There are 6000 to 7000 seeds/kg. Seed in airtight containers, cold stored will remain viable for 2 to 3 years. Having white color wood which turns brown at maturity. Having Specific gravity of 0.48 with a calorific value of 4500 kcal/kg. 

Distribution :

The tree is native to the Himalayas of the subcontinent including Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. In Pakistan it is found at high elevation in Azad Kashmir. Murree Hills, Hazara, Swat, Dir and Chitral. It is a tolerant tree that will grow fairly well in shade. It grows on a variety of deep, rich soils, formed from various parent materials. It grows on steep, cool, northern exposures. It avoids poor soils, especially if they are poorly drained. It is adapted to a precipitation zone of 1100 to 2500 mm/yr. It prefers a humid cold temperate climate with a temperature range of -10 to 30°C, within an elevation range of 2000 to 3000m. It is susceptible to a number of wood rotting fungi. The tree is a valuable member of the coniferous forest that grows on steep sites. It is difficult to regenerate and logging probably should be restricted until regeneration methods have been perfected. 

Uses :

Wood is used in construction, fuel fodder, for watershed protection, and in plywood.