Abies balsamea (Balsam fir)

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Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.

Balsam fir

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Coniferophyta	Conifers—cone-bearing trees (and a few shrubs)
Class	Pinopsida	Gymnosperms such as cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, firs, junipers, kauri, larches, pines, hemlocks, redwoods, spruces, and yews
Order	Pinales	Cone-bearing plants: cedar, cypress, fir, juniper, larch, pine, redwood, spruce, yew, and others
Family	Pinaceae	Pine family: cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces
Genus	Abies	Latin name for silver fir
Species	balsamea	Contains a resin called Canada balsam

About plant names...

Balsam fir is native to North America. They can live for up to 200 years. It is found mixed with other trees such as spruce, hemlock, white birch, aspen, and red maple in boreal forests. They prefer glacial, acid, humusy soils, with abundant rainfall. They are a popular choice for a Christmas tree.

Plants: 46-66' (14-20 m) tall, up to a maximum of 89' (27 m). They are conical, and tend to be symmetrical. Bark is thin, smooth, and gray or gray-brown; with resin blisters. On older trees, the bark becomes brown and scaly. Trees reach a diameter of 12-30" (30-76 cm).

Leaves: Flat shiny dark green needles ½-⅞" (1.5-2.5 cm) long. Needle tips may be flat, notched, or rounded. Each needle has pale white bands comprised of tiny dots called stomata. Needles have a distinctive, pleasant aroma when crushed.

Fruits: Cones are 1½-3" (4-8 cm) long, green aging to dark purple, and drying to brown. Individual seeds are triangular, ¹/₁₆-³/₁₆" (3-6 mm) × ¹/₁₆-⅛" (2-3 mm).

Online References:

The USDA Forest Service's Silvics of North America site (detailed article)

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods (also very informative)

The Virginia Tech Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

The University of Connecticut Plant Database

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

The Missouri Botanical Garden

Www.srs.fs.usda.gov

The Gymnosperm Database

5/15/2016 · Mt. Watatic, Ashby, Massachusetts

8/22/2020 · Warbler’s Way, Moose Alley, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 4½ × 3½" (11 × 9.2 cm)

6/10/2016 · Lobster Cove Trail, Monhegan Island, Maine
≈ 12 × 8" (31 × 20 cm)

7/29/2023 · Birch Point Beach State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine
≈ 8 × 6" (20 × 16 cm)

9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 4 × 2½" (10 × 7 cm) ID is uncertain

Notice the bands of white stomata—pores on the needles through which gases are exchanged between the tree and its surroundings. · 5/15/2016 · Mt. Watatic, Ashby, Massachusetts

Abies balsamea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 28 Aug 2021.

8/1/2008 · Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 23 × 15" (57 × 38 cm)

7/12/2015 · Mt. Kearsarge, Wilmot/Warner, New Hampshire
≈ 7 × 8" (16 × 21 cm)

9/18/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 19 × 12" (47 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain

4/3/2010 · Owl’s Head Lighthouse, Owl’s Head, Maine
≈ 7 × 4½" (17 × 11 cm)

8/30/2020 · Cliff Trail, Harpswell, Maine
≈ 8 × 5" (20 × 13 cm)

8/22/2020 · Warbler’s Way, Moose Alley, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine
≈ 5 × 3½" (13 × 9.2 cm)

9/19/2009 · Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
≈ 21 × 14" (52 × 34 cm) ID is uncertain

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine
≈ 12 × 10" (31 × 25 cm)

8/28/2020 · Jack’s and Litchfield Trails, Chase Reserve, Brunswick, Maine
≈ 4½ × 7" (12 × 18 cm)

6/16/2013 · Birch Point State Park, Owl’s Head, Maine
≈ 15 × 10" (37 × 25 cm)

Range: Zones 3-6:

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