We are very familiar with the sight of lush green fir trees, because they grow everywhere in our country. One of the most popular species in Central Europe is undoubtedly the shapely Nordmann fir, which has soft needles. But their origin lies in other areas of the world.

The Nordmann fir originally comes from the Caucasus

With the middle name Caucasus fir

The Nordmann fir is also known to many people under the term Caucasus fir. She doesn't bear this name by accident, it was given to her with good reason. Anyone interested in the geography of the earth will now sit up and take notice. For there is a region further away from us called the Caucasus. Is there a connection?

In fact, the name Caucasus fir refers to the origin of the Nordmann fir. And as expected, it is in the region that also bears this name.

Where is the Caucasus anyway?

For us, the Caucasus is not a typical tourist region. That is why very few Europeans know where exactly the Caucasus is located. It is a high mountain range lying between the Black and Caspian Seas. The region is approximately 1,100 kilometers long, running west-northwest to east-southeast. It extends across the countries of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran and Azerbaijan.

In the Caucasus there is a continental climate to which the fir is well adapted and is therefore hardly affected by pests. In its homeland it is represented in large numbers and is part of huge forests.

The name of the variety reveals the exact origin

If you read the names of the different varieties, you will find that they have unusual-sounding names for us. These are not names created from an advertising point of view, but a reference to the exact region of origin of the fir variety. Here some examples:

  • Ambrolauri
  • Apsheronsk
  • Arkhyz
  • Artvin Yalya
  • Borshomi
  • Krasnaya

When did the fir leave its native area?

The Nordmann fir was discovered by a Finnish botanist by the name of Alexander von Nordmann. Hence its name Nordmanntanne, which gives no hint of its Caucasian origin. The discovery is dated 1835. In Central Europe, this type of fir is therefore cultivated for less than 200 years. That's a short amount of time by botanical standards.

Where do the Christmas firs come from?

Nordmann firs are the most popular fir trees because they stay fresh in the living room for up to four weeks and do not need needles. However, the countless specimens that are sold every year around Christmas do not come from the far-off Caucasus. The main growing regions are in Schleswig-Holstein, Sauerland and Denmark.

tips

The "Borshomi" variety grows bushy and has an ideal pyramid shape. Not only is it the most popular Christmas tree, it also makes an attractive appearance as a solitaire in the garden.

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Trees