Post 35: Abies Squamata

Known as the Flaky Fir, it is native to China and Tibet. It can grow to 40 metres (120 feet) tall. Direct exploitation for timber has led to a decline in the population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has rated this species as “vulnerable”. This specimen was part of a consignment of trees received from the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) as part of the International Conifer Conservation Programme (ICCP). Heriot-Watt University struck a relationship with the RBGE to help with conservation work and it allows us to obtain rare trees to add to the wide variety of species already on campus.