The fir of the Nebrodi or of the Madonie (Abies Nebrodensis (Lojac) Mattei), 1908, is a tree which belongs to the family of Pinaceae. This is because of their spicular leaves. It is part of endemic species of Sicily with a conical-pyramidal shape and it reaches 10-15 m in height.

The species, once classified as a subspecies of the silver fir (Abies alba), may of shaped itself for speciation during the beginning of the last interglacial stage post-wurmiano.

The Abies Nebrodensis, once endemic to the mountains of the chain “settentrionale sicula”, was considered an extinct species since 1900.

It was rediscovered, in 1957, in the “Valley Madonna degli Angeli”, on top of the Madonie which is a mountain range of the Appennino siculo and at present there are almost 30 specimens left. They have survived thanks to their isolation and due to the lack of competition of other stronger species like the beech (Fagus sylvatica).

The Abies Nebrodensis is considered by IUCN a species in real and critical danger of extinction and it has been included in the list of the 50 botanic species most threatened species in the Mediterranean area.

Today, the Park of the Madonie and the office of the Forest of the Sicilian Region, are trying different techniques of strengthening of the species also through the carrying out of a suitable project ‘LIFE Natura’.

In the past, specifically in the times where Greece as it it’s height of success the fir was an important source of commercial products for the people of the country to the point that the city of  Halaesa, near Tusa (ME), minted a coin with the picture of this lopping tree.