Common Name:

General Information

Abies guatemalensis is an evergreen tree with horizontal branches and a conical crown growing 20 - 45 metres tall. The bole can be 60 - 90cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild as a commercial source of lumber.
This is the southernmost species of its genus. It was reported to be common until the 1940s and large populations may still remain in Honduras. There is disputable evidence that the remaining stands in Guatemala extend no more than 3 hectares. There has been heavy timber exploitation throughout the range. Isolated stands continue to be exploited heavily by local inhabitants and the deep fertile soils, on which the tree grows, are attractive to agricultural development. Cone crops are irregular and germination is poor. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

C. America - El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico.

Habitat

Tropical, montane, moist or wet coniferous forests at elevations from 1,800 to 4,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in deep, fertile soils[].
The average growth rate ranges from 36 - 46cm per year when the plant is between 49 - 71 years old. Annual diameter increment varies from 6 - 7mm[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The best forests formed of this species are so dense that little other vegetation can be found on the ground beneath the trees - only a few low shrubs of rather weak growth, mosses, and a number of herbs[, ].

Other Uses

The wood has been used as lumber since Mayan times and was used extensively for construction work by the
Spanish[]. Today it is the preferred wood for roof shingles, building material, charcoal and firewood. Locally it is used to make hand looms, the branches are used to make temporary shelters, to decorate churches and houses, and young plants are used as Christmas trees. Its branches are used as Christmas decorations[].

Propagation

Seed -

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