Balsam Fir Abies balsamea

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Balsam FirAbies balsamea
By Seth Miles
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Balsam Fir

• 14-20 Meters tall, rarely 27 meters tall.
• The bark is smooth, gray, and resin blisters
  becoming rough and scaly on old trees.

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Balsam Fir

• North American Fir.
• Native to most of eastern and central Canada.
• Also native to the northeastern United States.

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Balsam FirLeaf

• Flat needle like
• 1.5-3 cm long
• Dark green often with a patch of stomata near the
  tip.
• Two white stomatal bands below.
• Slightly notched tips.
• Arranged 180 degrees around the stem.

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Balsam FirCone

• 4-8 inches long.
• Dark purple, ripening brown.
• Disintegrating to release the winged seeds in
  September.

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Balsam Fir Uses

• The bubbles of Balsam Fir bark are used to
  produce Canada balsam. It was used to mount
  microscope slides.
• The wood is used for paper manufacturing.
• Its also a popular Christmas tree.