Fraser Fir ( Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir.)

Fraser fir ( Abies fraseri [Pursh] Poir.) is a coniferous species native to the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the Eastern United States. Fraser fir has high economic and recreational value but is vulnerable to extinction due to introduced pests and global warming. Somatic embryogenesis may assist in the clonal production of Christmas trees and conservation of rare and valuable germplasm via cryopreservation. Improved protocols for embryogenic tissue initiation, culture capture and growth, somatic embryo development and maturation and cryogenic storage are presented based on the findings of Pullman (47:453–480, 2016).