Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is one of the more important conifers in the northern United States and in Canada. Within its range it may also be referred to as balsam, Canadian balsam, eastern fir, and bracted balsam fir. It is a small to medium-sized tree used primarily for pulp and light frame construction.

Young trees are highly shade tolerant and can form dense stands in the understory. While perhaps the quintessential Christmas tree, they are an important source of winter deer browse as well as pulp timber. Overall, Balsam Fir is very similar to spruce trees but has flat needles where spruce are 4-sided in cross-section, and cones are of course distinctive for each of these species.

Native Range

In Canada, balsam fir extends from Newfoundland and Labrador west through the more northerly portions of Quebec and Ontario, in scattered stands through north-central Manitoba and Saskatchewan to the Peace River Valley in northwestern Alberta, then south for approximately 640 km (400 mi) to central Alberta, and east and south to southern Manitoba.

In the United States, the range of balsam fir extends from extreme northern Minnesota west of Lake-of-the-Woods southeast to Iowa; east to central Wisconsin and central Michigan into New York and central Pennsylvania; then northeastward from Connecticut to the other New England States. The species is also present locally in the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia (23,30).

Balsam fir grows from sea level to within 15 to 23 m (50 to 75 ft) below the 1917 m (6,288 ft) summit of Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At this elevation prostrate balsam fir is found in sheltered areas.

Balsam fir provides food or cover for some animals and both food and cover for others. Moose rely on balsam fir in winter when it is a major source of food. The use of balsam fir by deer for cover and shelter is well documented. During severe winter weather, especially in northern areas of the white-tailed deer range, lowland balsam fir stands and spruce-balsam fir swamps are used extensively as winter yarding areas. The fact that these sites usually contain, at best, only small amounts of preferred food suggests their attractiveness as shelter.

Balsam Fir Characteristics

• Tree Size: Small to medium-sized, typically 14-20 meters (46-66 ft) tall, occasionally reaching 27 meters (89 ft)
• Crown: Narrow, conic, and dense, with dark-green leaves
• Bark: Grayish-brown, smooth on young trees, becoming rough and fissured or scaly on old trees, with numerous resin blisters
• Leaves: Flat, needle-like, 15-30 mm (5/8-1 1/8 in) long, dark green above with a small patch of stomata near the tip, and two white stomatal bands below
• Cones: Female cones larger than male, containing bracts and megasporophylls with two ovules each
• Hardiness: One of the most cold-hardy trees, surviving temperatures as low as -45°C (-49°F) (USDA Hardiness Zone 2)

Uses

• Christmas Trees: A popular choice for Christmas trees, with many cultivars available
• Ornamental: Grown as an ornamental tree for parks and gardens, requiring a sheltered spot in full sun
• Timber: Used for pulp and light frame construction
• Resin: Used to produce Canada balsam, a natural adhesive, and traditionally used as a cold remedy and glue for glasses and optical instrument components
• Food and Shelter: Provides food and shelter for various wildlife, including moose, deer, grouse, crossbills, and chickadees

Cultivation

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, acidic soils with consistent moisture
• Climate: Thrives in cool climates with a mean annual temperature of 40°F (4°C)
• Forest Types: Typically grows in swamp, mountain top, and mixed forests
• Propagation: Seeds are eaten by American red squirrels, grouse, and pine mice; the tree also provides food for crossbills and chickadees
• Varieties: Three botanical varieties are recognized: Abies balsamea var. balsamea, Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis (bracted balsam fir), and Abies balsamea var. fraseri (doubtful status)

Facts

• Balsam fir is closely related to Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) and hybrids between the two species have been reported
• The tree’s aromatic foliage and resin blisters provide a unique defense against insect feeders
• Balsam fir is a common tree in the breeding habitat of birds such as the Blackpoll Warbler and provides food and breeding habitat for various bird species.