Balsam fir) develops into a handsome dense, pyramidal shaped conifer. Makes a lovely conifer for residential planting. Plant it as a specimen in a cluster or use it for a hedge or windbreak. Also widely used as a Christmas tree. Plant in average to moist well drained soils.
Ornamental features:
- Foliage is lustrous dark green to bluish green with two white lines on the underside of the needles.
- Flat soft 1" upward curving needles line the upper side of the twigs.
- Develops full pyramidal form with little shearing.
Wildlife value:
- Provides winter shelter for wildlife. Seeds eaten by small mammals and birds.
- Can be found growing in swamps, cool north slopes and extreme conditions on windswept mountain tops
Horticulture profile:
- Zone 3 to 7
- Grows 40 to 55 ft Tall x 20 to 25 ft wide.
- Slow to medium growth rate, 6" to 1 ft per year.
- Prefers well-drained but moist slightly acidic soils.
- Grows best in a cool climate with consistent moisture. Extremely cold hardy but not drought or heat tolerant.
- Full sun to half shade.
- Native to the northern high elevation parts of New York and New England and throughout eastern Canada.