Abies balsamea
balsam fir
Balsam fir is the most cold-hardy and aromatic of all
firs. It seems to gladly suffer the Canadian cold but is also comfortable
when planted in mid-latitude eastern North America. A. balsamea normally grows to
a height of 60 feet and can live at sea level to 6,000 feet. The tree is one of
America's most popular Christmas trees.
Photos Use by Permission - VT
Dendrology and Paul Wray, ForestryImages.org
Start with the Tree Finder if you are not sure what kind of tree you have!
Balsam
Fir Habitat and Culture
(silvics courtesy of Silvics Manual, USFS)
From
Virginia Tech's Big List w/Photos
(Big List courtesy of VT Dendrology)
Species
Documentation and Data
(The BEST conifer data on the Internet, Gymnosperm
Database, Editor C. J. Earle)
North American Timber Types
(courtesy About Forestry)
The Great American
Coniferous Forest
(courtesy About Forestry)
Recent Champion: 100' height, 45' spread, 148" circumf.,
Fairfield, PA
National
Register of Big Trees
Balsam
Fir Images
(courtesy of ForestryImages.org)
Buy a
Balsam Fir Online
(Nurseries selling seedlings online)
Range Map
-The native range of balsam fir, USFS.
Quick Stats
Common Names: Abete balsamico, abeto
balsamico, abeto oloroso, balm-of-gilead, balm-of-gilead fir, balsam, balsam fir,
balsam-gran, balsam-tanne, balsem-den, balsemzilver-den, beaumier de Gilead, blister fir,
blister pine, blisters cho-koh-tung, bracted balsam fir, Canadian balsam, Canadian fir,
eastern fir, fir pine, firs d'america, fir-tree, Gilead fir, sapin, sapin baumier, sapin
beaumier, sapin blanc, sapin rouge, silver fir, silver pine, single pine, single spruce,
var.
Habitat: Balsam fir grows on a wide range of inorganic and organic soils originating from glaciation and generally falling within the acid Spodosol, Inceptisol, and Histosol soil orders.
Description: Balsam fir normally reaches heights of 60 feet with diameters of 1.5 feet. Trees growing in optimal conditions can reach heights of 90 feet with diameters of 2.5 feet. It grows from sea level to about 6,000 feet.
Uses: It is a small to medium-sized tree used primarily for pulp and light frame construction, and it is one of the most popular Christmas trees. Wildlife rely extensively on this tree for food and shelter.
