Balsam Fir is a Popular Christmas Tree
It is widely used as a Christmas tree and for wreaths. It smells great! It’s a good specimen fir for the landscape, and as an ornamental yard tree. However, it should not be planted in a Zone number higher than Zone 5. The pungent resin yields Canada balsam, used in the manufacture of varnish as well as an adhesive for mounting microscope slides. Snowshoe hares use the trees as cover.
Balsam Fir is susceptible to spruce budworm. A favourite holiday tree.
Quick Growing Guide
Botanical Name: Abies balsamea
Also Called: Canada Balsam, Sapin blanc
En français: Sapin baumier
Sun / Shade:
Water: Likes a lot of water
Soil:
Height:
Its natural habitat: Forests, native to central and eastern Canada, northeastern United States.
Caring for Balsam Fir
This tree does best in cool areas; does not tolerate heat and is shade tolerant. Low pollution tolerance. Shallow root system makes it easy to transplant.
Balsam Fir tolerates a variety of soil types but does best in well-drained acidic soils with pH 5.0 – 6.0 and can survive in wetland conditions.
Companion plant suggestions include The Pinaceae (pine family) are trees or shrubs, including cedars, firs, hemlocks, larches, pines and spruces.
Comments
More From Gardening Calendar
Cactus Propagation: How To Propagate Cactus Plants
The propagation method of cactus you choose depends on the type of cactus you are dealing with.
On Trees around Eastern Ontario
Discover the fascinating trees, plants and shrubs of eastern Ontario! Join Ottawa Field Naturalist Club's Owen Clarkin on a tour to Oak Valley, Merrickville, and Constance Bay – featuring a population of wild Swamp White Oaks, the world's largest Rock Elm, Red Spruce, and rare species like Butterfly Milkweed and Hairy Puccoon.
Gardens Ottawa History Presentation
This is a super interesting video of a slide presentation for anybody interested in Ottawa’s garden history dating back to the 1800’s
Bee Hotel Research
See how Judith observes and researches bee & wasp diversity in her backyard. Learn how she prepares the area to attract more with the help of a summer installation of a bee hotel and other features like water sources and natural spaces.
Fresh from the Garden: The Gardener’s Sense of Taste
Discover the joy of growing your own vegetables, herbs, and fruits to create delicious meals and enhance your sense of taste.
Veggie Bites – Peonies
Peonies are very particular about their depth of planting. If you cover up the base of the peonies with soil, you will not get blooms.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.