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:

• Partial Shade
• Partial Sun
• Shade

Water: Likes a lot of water

Soil:

• Adaptable

Height:

• Up to 35 feet (4 to 10 meters)

Hardiness Zones:

• 3
• 4
• 5

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.