Fat Albert Spruce vs Fraser Fir - TreeTime.ca

Fat Albert Spruce vs Fraser Fir

Abies fraseri

Picea pungens Fat Albert

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Fraser Fir
Fat Albert Spruce

Fraser Fir is a great choice for a Christmas tree, or as an addition to your landscape. It retains its needles when cut, has good branch strength, and grows into the classic conical Christmas tree shape. When the cones are young they emerge purple, which adds an additional splash of colour to the tree.

Fraser Fir may suffer in warmer climates, we do not recommend this tree in hardiness zones 7 or higher. It is very similar to Balsam Fir, and can freely be used as a substitute.

The Fat Albert Spruce is a cold-hardy evergreen variety with silvery-blue needles, and a large, tear-drop shape. It is deer resistant, and considered a good choice for xeriscaping projects as it is quite drought tolerant.

The Fat Albert Spruce is a Blue Spruce cultivar that was introduced in the late 1970’s by the Iseli Nursery and is named after the fictional character of the same name.

Fraser Fir Quick Facts

Fat Albert Spruce Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: silvery blue
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: frasers balsam fir, frasier fir, she balsam, southern balsam fir