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Home > Fir > Balsam Fir

Balsam Fir

Balsam fir is a species of small to medium-sized North American coniferous trees with a dense, symmetrical pyramidal crown. Known for its spicy fragrance and dark green color, the balsam fir has been commonly used as a Christmas tree over the years.

Balsam Fir Range

Balsam Fir Range

Balsam Fir

Balsam Fir

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Division Pinophyta
Class Pinopsida
Order Pinales
Family Pinaceae
Genus Abies
Scientific Name Abies balsamea
Balsam Fir Tree

Balsam Fir Tree

Balsam Fir Needles

Balsam Fir Needles

Quick Information

Other Names Canadian balsam, Bracted balsam fir/Canaan fir , Eastern fir, Sapin balsamier (French)
Size 14-20 m (46-66 ft) tall; trunk diameter of around 2 ft
Identification Leaves (Needles): Flat with notched tip; dark green above, two white stomatal strips below; 15-30 mm long, spirally arranged on the stem

Cones: Erect, 40-80 mm long; male strobili are yellowish brown with a tinge of purple, female strobili are dark purplish

Bark: Smooth, gray, with resin blisters when young; turn rough, scaly, and fissured at maturity

Tree Type Evergreen
Distribution/Range Alberta, Manitoba, Labrador, Newfoundland Island, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island (in Canada); Wisconsin, Virginia, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Iowa, Connecticut (in  the US)
Hardiness Zones 3-5
Growth Rate Slow; annual increase of height is less than 12 in
Lifespan 150-200 years
Growing Conditions Winter Conditions: Very cold; average winter temperature ranging between -18° C and -12° C

Summer Conditions: Pleasant weather with average temperature ranging between 16° C and 18° C

Rain: Grows best in areas annual precipitation is from 760-1100 mm

Sunlight: Full sun, partial shade

Soil Requirements: Cool, well-drained, moist, acidic soil; somewhat tolerant to salty soil

Diseases and Pests Red heart rot, root and butt rot, brown cubical rots, white stringy rots, and witches’ broom disease; insects such as balsam wooly adelgid and spruce budworm
Flowering/Fruiting Flower buds open during late May-early June, though flowering can occur early in late April
Breeding System Monoecious
Seed Production Regular seed production occurs after 20-30 years
Seedling Development Germination takes place from late May-early July; seedlings in the open sustain drought and frost heaving damage
Wildlife Value Mice, voles, squirrels, and grouse feed on the buds and seeds; moose, white-tailed deer, and snowshoe hares use it for cover, shelter, and food; black bears also browse the bark; lepidopteran caterpillars and Io moth feed on the needles
Varieties/Cultivars
  • Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis
  • Abies balsamea var. balsamea
  • Abies balsamea cv. Nana (Dwarf balsam fir)
Uses Lumber for crates, paneling, and light-frame construction; wood is used for making pulp; needles are used as the filling for souvenir pillows, and making wreaths, incense sticks, and candles; needle extracts are used for producing essential oil
IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern
Balsam Fir Trees

Balsam Fir Trees

Balsam Fir Cones

Balsam Fir Cones

Balsam Fir vs. Fraser Fir

The Balsam fir grows shorter than the Fraser fir, and its bracts are shorter than its cone scales while those on the Fraser fir are longer than the seed scales. Moreover, Balsam firs have longer needles as compared to those of Fraser firs.

Balsam Fir Pictures

Balsam Fir Pictures

Balsam Fir Bark

Balsam Fir Bark

Interesting Facts

  • Hudson fir, a cultivar of balsamea, has been granted the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • The Balsam fir resin was once used for treating various health conditions. It was used as an adhesive for optical instruments and glasses, and for mounting specimens under a microscope.
  • Balsam fir has been officially recognized as the tree emblem of the Canadian province of New Brunswick.
Dwarf Balsam Fir

Dwarf Balsam Fir

Balsam Fir Christmas Tree

Balsam Fir Christmas Tree

References

  1. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/atlas/tree/v3/12
  2. https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=1105
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abies_balsamea
  4. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/abies/balsamea/
  5. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42272/2968717

Published on September 1st 2016 by admin under Fir.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2022.

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