Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)
| Needle retention | Excellent, long-lasting needles |
|---|---|
| Fragrance | Distinctive, strong "balsam" aroma: the classic Christmas smell |
| Needles | Soft, flat needles 3/4–1.5 in with blunt or notched tips |
| Ornaments | Sturdy branching |
| Color | Dark green above, lighter below |
| Grown in | Largest natural range of North American firs: northern Alberta to Labrador, south to Pennsylvania; grown across the Northeast and Lake States |
| USDA zones | 3-7 (for planting a living tree; find your zone by ZIP) |
Worth knowing
- Resin blisters on the bark earned it the nickname "blister pine".
- 9–10 years to a 6–7 ft tree.
Care notes
Whatever the species: make a fresh half-inch cut off the trunk before it goes in the stand, use a stand that holds a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter, top it up daily, and keep the tree away from heat. Details in the care guide.
Sources: National Christmas Tree Association: Tree Varieties · PA Christmas Tree Growers Association: Selection Guide · NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox