Balsam Fir
Abies balsamea
Balsam fir is the classic fragrant Christmas-tree fir of the northern forest, with flat aromatic needles and upright purple cones. Needs cool, moist, acidic conditions; not a heat-lover.
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Type
- tree
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 50–70 ft
- Spacing
- 15–25 ft apart
- Light
- sun, part shade, shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- acidic
- Bloom
- September, October, November
- Bloom colors
- yellow, green, purple, brown
- Wildlife value
- songbirds
- Caterpillar hosts
- ~117 butterfly & moth species
- Landscape uses
- specimen, rain garden
- Native states
- CT, IA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV
Related native plants
More Abies species
- White Fir (Abies concolor)
- Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa)
- Grand Fir (Abies grandis)
- Noble Fir (Abies procera)