Abies balsamea - Balsam Fir

Balsam Fir is a dense native conifer tree with a pyramidal habit often grown as a Christmas tree with a spiraled crown that goes to the ground.  The fragrant dark green needles are flattened and have a long retention.  Its upright cones emerge light purple and break up after releasing seed, leaving the cone axis on the branches for up to several years.  Prefers full sun and rich, moist well-drained acidic soils.  

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  Low maintenance plant. Disease problems include cankers, heart rot, root rot, needle rust and twig blight. Insect pests include Balsam woolly adelgids, bark beetles, spruce budworms, aphids, bagworms and scale. Spider mites may occur in hot conditions. Air pollution intolerant and sensitive to high heat and humidity.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Specimen or mass plantings,  Borders, Naturalized Areas, Woodland Garden, Foundation Planting, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Dogwood, Boxwood, Lavender

IMAGES: Prides Corner, Albies balsamea, (2) OSU Landscape Plants, Abies balsamea

 *As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.