balsam fir (Abies balsamea)
Balsam Fir
Description:
Native to the northern third of Wisconsin, this icon evergreen of the north woods has soft flat needles arranged in a spiral around the branch. However, the needle blade turn horizontal to capture the sun. This makes them appear to be arranged along more or two rows along the shoot. Balsam fir trees are short to medium height (46–66 feet). They prefer soil with consistent moisture, but can be found from swamps to hilltops. Cones are are erect (1 1⁄2 to 3 1⁄4 inches) and dark purple; ripen to brown and disintegrating to release the winged seeds in September.
balsam fir
USDA Symbol: | Common Name: | Scientific Name: |
---|---|---|
ABBA | balsam fir | Abies balsamea |
ITIS TSN: 18032
Category: Gymnosperm
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom:
Super Division: Spermatophyta
Division: Coniferophyta
Subdivision:
Class: Pinopsida
SubClass:
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Counties: Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Dane, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Forest, Grant, Iron, Jackson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood
Duration: | Growth Habit: | Native Status: |
---|---|---|
Perennial | Tree | L48(N)CAN(N)SPM(N) |
Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer
Bloat: None
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: High
Conspicuous Fall Color: No
Fire Resistant: No
Flower Color: Yellow
Conspicuous Flower: No
Foliage Color: Green
Foliage Light Porosity Summer: Dense
Foliage Porosity Winter: Dense
Foliage Texture: Medium
Fruit/Seed Color: Brown
Growth Form: Single Stem
Growth Rate: Slow
Height at Base Age (Max): 18
Known Alelopath: No
Leaf Retention: Yes
Lifespan: Short
Re-sproutability: No
Shape and Orientation: Conical
Toxicity: None
Height (min):
Height (max):
Root Type:
Leaf Type:
Leaf Arrangement:
Leaf Shape:
Vein Pattern:
Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils: Yes
Adapted to Medium Textured Soils: Yes
Adapted to Fine Textured Soils: Yes
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Cold Stratification Required: Yes
Drought Tolerance: Low
Fertility Requirement: Medium
_Fire Tolerance: Low
Hedge Tolerance: Low
Moisture Use: Medium
pH (Minimum): 4
pH (Maximum): 6
Planting Density per Acre, Minimum: 300
Planting Density per Acre, Maximum: 1200
Precipitation (Minimum): 13
Precipitation (Maximum): 60
Root Depth, Minimum (inches): 20
Salinity Tolerance: None
Shade Tolerance: Tolerant
Temperature, Minimum (°F): -43
Plant Spacing (min):
Plant Spacing (max):
Bloom Period: | Commercial Availability: | Fruit/Seed Abundance: |
---|---|---|
Mid Summer | Routinely Available | Medium |
Fruit/Seed Period Begin: | Fruit/Seed Period End: | Fruit/Seed Persistence: |
---|---|---|
Fall | Fall | No |
Propogated by Bare Root: | Propogated by Bulbs: | Propogated by Container: |
---|---|---|
Yes | No | Yes |
Propogated by Corms: | Propogated by Cuttings: | Propogated by Seed: |
---|---|---|
No | No | Yes |
Propogated by Sod: | Propogated by Sprigs: | Propogated by Tubers: |
---|---|---|
No | No | No |
Seeds per Pound: | Seed Spread Rate: | Seedling Vigor: |
---|---|---|
59840 | Slow | Low |
Small Grain: | Vegetative Spread Rate: | Propagation Treatment: |
---|---|---|
No | None |
Days to Stratify: | Direct Sowing Time: |
---|---|
Benefits:
Berry/Nut/Seed Product: | Christmas Tree Product: | Fodder Product: |
---|---|---|
No | Yes | No |
Fuelwood Product: | Lumber Product: | Naval Store Product: |
---|---|---|
Low | Yes | Yes |
Nursery Stock Product: | Palatable Browse Animal: | Palatable Graze Animal: |
---|---|---|
Yes | Medium | -- |
Palatable Human: | Post Product: | Protein Potential: |
---|---|---|
No | No | Low |
Pulpwood Product: | Veneer Product: |
---|---|
Yes | Yes |
Benefits: | Wildlife Food Value: | Wildlife Cover Value: |
---|---|---|
References:
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System – Abies balsamea
- Minnesota Wildflowers – Abies balsamea
- North America Plant Atlas (BONAS) – Abies balsamea
- UDSA Plants Database – Abies balsamea
- USFS FEIS Database –Abies balsamea
- WisFlora Database – Abies balsamea