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| ## balsam fir {#balsam-fir .Title-Header}                             |
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| *Abies balsamea* (L.) P. Mill.                                        |
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| Plant Symbol = ABBA                                                   |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

*Pinus balsamea* L.

##### 

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

Balsam fir is used primarily for Christmas trees and pulpwood, although
some lumber is produced from it in New England and the Lake States. The
wood is light in weight, low in bending and compressive strength,
moderately limber, soft, and low in resistance to shock.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

Balsam fir is a small to medium sized coniferous tree. Growth occurs in
whorls of branches surrounding an upright leader or terminal, making a
symmetrical tree with a broad base and narrow top. It is relatively
short-lived and is considered a sub-climax type species in the New
England states, but may be a climax type in the zone below timberline.

Needles are 3/4 to 1 inch long, flat, and often strongly curved. Twigs
with needles have a generally flattened appearance. Both male and female
flowers are found on the same branch. Cones are 2 to 4 inches long,
purplish in color, and stand erect on branches (as do those of all true
firs). There are about 60,000 seeds in a pound. The bark is smooth,
thin, and grayish, distinguished by soft blisters containing a clear,
odiferous resin known as Canadian
balsam.![](media/image2.wmf){width="2.7909722222222224in"
height="1.8631944444444444in"}

##### Adaptation and Distribution {#adaptation-and-distribution .Header-3}

The soils on which balsam fir grows range from silt loams developed from
lake deposits to stony loams derived from glacial till. Fir will grow,
but comparatively slowly, on gravelly sands and in peat bogs. It grows
on soils of pH ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. It is generally found in areas
with a cold moist climate and with 30 inches or more of annual
precipitation. Fir is subject to windthrow, especially on shallow wet
soils. Because of its thin bark, shallow root system, and flammable
needles, balsam fir is easily killed by fire.

Balsam fir is distributed throughout the Northeast and upper Midwest.
For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page
for this species on the PLANTS Website.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

The use of natural regeneration methods for balsam fir is very effective
on open and disturbed sites (heavily cut areas), but an adequate seed
source must exist. This species can also be readily grown in nurseries,
for transplanting to abandoned fields, Christmas tree plantations, and
open areas. Use conventional tree planting techniques and equipment.
Three or four year old seedling stock should be utilized.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

This section is under development. Please consult the Related Web Sites
links on the PLANTS Plant Profile.

##### 

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

Although most available seedlings of balsam fir are of unknown
parentage, some are produced from local selections.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator:  {#prepared-by-species-coordinator .Header-3}

*USDA NRCS Northeast Plant Materials Program*

##### 31Jan2002 JLK; 24may06jsp {#jan2002-jlk-24may06jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*