Central Lake, MI. 49622

Balsam Fir  Abies balsamea  Balm of Gilead

Zone 3-6 

Height 40-60' Spread 20-30' rarely to 100'

 

Habitat.  Balsam fir is an open, pyramidal tree, with stiff, horizontal branches, ending in stout, yellowish-brown, fuzzy twigs, with crowded shiny foliage.  Grows best on fertile, moist, well drained soils. Can grow on dry sandy soils once established. Balsam is a good Christmas tree for wetter soils.

 

Leaves. The needles of the balsam fir are a lustrous dark green above, aromatic, pale beneath, narrow and straight, 1/2 to 1" long with a notched tip. Scattered, spirally arranged in rows, on young balsam fir extending from all sides of the branch, on old trees covering the upper side of the branch. 

 

Flowers. Balsam fir flower in May, 1/4" long, male catkins.

 

Fruit. The cones of the Balsam Fir are erect as in all true firs, 2-4" long and 1" wide, purple when new, browning with age and leaving a stem as the seed fall off. The young cones are in my opinion a real spring visual treat, be sure to look for them this June.

 

Winter Buds. The buds are small resinous and brown.

 

Bark. Mature trunks on Balsam Fir is rough cinnamon-red, thin, scaly, at length becoming gray, younger trees bark is smooth grayish and resinous.

 

Wood. The wood is light, soft, weak, coarse- grain with wide rings and lighter colored sapwood, used locally as lumber.

 

Pests. The balsam wooly adelgid and spruce budworm are major pests.. These can be generally treated with an application of Sevin.

 

Distribution. Balsam Fir is found from Maine to Michigan and south in the higher elevations of the Appalachian mountains above 4,000 feet in the south. I have found Balsam Fir growing on the top of Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia on our trip in 2007. Can be seen growing from barren rock in it's native range. In Michigan it is generally found in spruce, hemlock, fir swamps.

 

Other.  Fine Christmas tree though the Fraser and Douglas fir are more in demand, the sap was once used to mount specimens on microscope slides. The needles of balsam fir were once used in pillows to add an aromatic flavor to ones sleep. Our u-cut balsam fir Christmas trees will be ready to cut November 2010.

 

Cultivars. hudsonia- 1-2' tall, rare.

 

 

 

We have Balsam Fir up to 12' tall. Call for B+B prices.

To buy balsam fire seedlings by PHONE: We're glad to take your order by phone. For your convenience, we have a toll free number  800 568-9179.  Phone orders can be charged to VISA or MasterCard accounts.

To buy balsam fir seedling by MAIL: For those who wish to order by mail or prefer to send a check, send orders to: Porcupine Hollow Farm   8593 W. Old State Rd.  Central Lake, Mi. 49622

To order balsam fir seedlings using our secure shopping cart:

Plant Type	Age	Size	Quanity / Price
Fir-balsam	2-0	3-6"	Choose Quanity/Price 50 @ $2.00 Each 100 @ $1.00 Each 500 @ $0.55 Each 1000 @ $0.35 Each
	3-0	6-12"	Choose Quanity/Price 25 @ $3.25 Each 50 @ $2.50 Each 100 @ $1.50 Each 500 @ $0.60 Each 1000 @ $0.45 Each
	4-0	10-18"	Choose Quanity/Price 25 @ $3.75 Each 50 @ $2.85 Each 100 @ $2.00 Each 500 @ $0.70 Each 1000 @ $0.55 Each
	2-2	8-15"	Choose Quanity/Price 10 @ $8.00 Each 25 @ $5.00 Each 50 @ $4.00 Each 100 @ $3.00 Each 500 @ $1.30 Each 1000 @ $1.00 Each
	3-3	18-24"	Choose Quanity/Price 10 @ $9.00 Each 25 @ $6.00 Each 50 @ $5.00 Each 100 @ $3.50 Each 500 @ $1.50 Each 1000 @ $1.25 Each
	3-4	24-36"	Choose Quanity/Price

 

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Please include 20% shipping and packaging with your order.

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Michigan Residents add 6% sales tax.  

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