{"product_id":"candicans-white-fir","title":"Candicans White Fir","description":"\u003ch1\u003eOne of the Bluest, Most Silvery Firs You Can Plant\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCandicans White Fir (\u003cem\u003eAbies concolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Candicans') is prized for its intense silver-blue, almost white, needles - among the brightest of any conifer. It forms an upright, narrow pyramid 30-50 feet tall, soft to the touch and tolerant of heat and drought like all concolor firs. A show-stopping blue specimen for a focal point in the Minnesota landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCandicans White Fir Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAbies concolor\u003c\/em\u003e 'Candicans'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCandicans White Fir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-50 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12-18 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate - 12-18 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; drought-tolerant once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3-7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b-5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - soft, long, intense silver-blue needles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGood - deer generally avoid firs, browsing them far less than arborvitae or yew.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot native; a western North American selection well adapted to the Midwest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCandicans White Fir Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePremier Silver-Blue Specimen Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCandicans is one of the bluest conifers you can grow - its long, soft needles glow an intense silver-blue that rivals any blue spruce. As a large 30-50 foot specimen it commands a big front yard in Wayzata or Eden Prairie, drawing the eye from the street and holding its color through every Minnesota season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBold Color Contrast and Shade Tree\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it where you want a strong color statement - a single Candicans against a backdrop of green conifers or deciduous trees is a showpiece. With age it becomes a stately shade tree, so give it space on a larger Minneapolis or St. Paul lot to develop its full pyramidal form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTough, Deer-Resistant Evergreen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite fir is notably cold-hardy and adaptable, shrugging off Minnesota winters and tolerating drought once established. Its needles are soft to the touch - unlike a prickly spruce - and because deer browse firs far less than arborvitae or yew, it stays a showpiece even in deer country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Candicans White Fir in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Candicans establishes best when planted in late summer to early fall - late August through mid September is the ideal Twin Cities window, giving roots time to settle before the ground freezes and reducing winter desiccation. Spring (late April through May, after the ground thaws) is the strong second choice. Avoid midsummer planting, and never plant after mid-October or before the ground thaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Candicans White Fir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper - in heavy clay, go wider still and set the top of the root ball slightly above grade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck for clay hardpan: if water pools in the bottom of the hole, break through the compacted layer or mound-plant. White fir wants well-drained soil and dislikes wet feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20-30% compost; avoid creating a pure-compost pocket that traps water around the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive a specimen plenty of room for its mature spread - 15-20 feet from buildings and other large trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3-4 inch watering basin around the root zone, then flatten it before winter to prevent ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2-3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept a couple of inches back from the trunk. Do not use gravel mulch - it offers no winter insulation in Minnesota.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Candicans White Fir in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1-2: water deeply every 1-2 days, soaking the root ball slowly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1-2: water every 3-4 days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3 onward: water every 5-7 days through the growing season, easing off when rainfall is adequate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2-3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro). A single deep soak in early December helps if fall was dry, since evergreens lose moisture all winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablished trees are quite drought-tolerant and need supplemental water only during extended dry spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater deeply and infrequently, soaking to 6-8 inches, and let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Candicans White Fir survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasily. It is hardy to roughly -40F (USDA zone 3), well beyond the Twin Cities metro range of zone 4b-5a, and white fir is one of the more adaptable, cold-hardy conifers you can plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt matures to about 30-50 feet tall and 12-18 feet wide - a true specimen and shade tree, so plan for its full size and give it room rather than crowding it near the house.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does it compare to a blue spruce?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCandicans matches or beats a Colorado blue spruce for sheer blue color, but its needles are longer and soft to the touch rather than sharp, and it tends to hold a cleaner, more uniform shape - a softer, often bluer alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Candicans White Fir deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes - more so than many conifers. Deer generally avoid firs, browsing them far less than arborvitae or yew, which makes it a reliable choice in high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Select White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - another blue-toned white fir specimen for the same striking color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - a narrow, weeping silver-blue white fir for a graceful cascading form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBaby Blue Colorado Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e - a bright blue spruce for a classic blue specimen alternative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConica Dwarf White Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e - a compact dwarf white fir with the same soft blue-green needles in a small package.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Candicans White Fir Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCandicans is a focal-point specimen — a single tree carries an entire front yard. Allow for its 12–18 foot mature spread and plant 15–20 feet from buildings, driveways, and other large trees. On larger lots, a staggered group of 3 spaced 15–18 feet apart makes a dramatic silver-blue backdrop; for a loose evergreen screen, plant a row at 12–15 foot spacing (a 50-foot run takes 4–5 trees).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCandicans White Fir Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e New growth pushes nearly white-silver, the brightest the tree looks all year — a stunning contrast against fresh green lawns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long, soft silver-blue needles hold their intense color through heat and drought; upright cones may form on older trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The blue glow intensifies by contrast as surrounding maples and oaks turn orange and red.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silver-blue pyramid against the snow — arguably the best winter-color conifer you can plant in the metro.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-select-white-fir\"\u003eBlue Select White Fir\u003c\/a\u003e — a sister selection for an all-blue fir grouping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/blue-cloak-white-fir\"\u003eBlue Cloak White Fir\u003c\/a\u003e — weeping silver-blue form for graceful contrast beside the upright Candicans.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/baby-blue-colorado-spruce\"\u003eBaby Blue Colorado Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic blue spruce alternative with a denser, stiffer texture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/french-blue-scotch-pine\"\u003eFrench Blue Scotch Pine\u003c\/a\u003e — a tough, blue-toned pine that thrives on the same dry, sunny ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Candicans White Fir Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose Candicans if you have a full-sun spot with well-drained soil and room for a 30–50 foot specimen — it rewards you with the bluest, softest needles in the conifer world, strong deer resistance, and real drought tolerance once established. Not a fit if your site has wet, poorly drained ground: white fir sulks with wet feet, so pick Canaan Fir or Black Spruce for damp soil instead.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#20 \/ 5' B\u0026B","offer_id":54295917068593,"sku":"GT-E0053","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/candicans-white-fir.jpg?v=1779469303","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/candicans-white-fir","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}