balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Balsam Fir

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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

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References:

  1. Integrated Taxonomic Information System – Abies balsamea
  2. Minnesota Wildflowers – Abies balsamea
  3. North America Plant Atlas (BONAS) – Abies balsamea
  4. UDSA Plants Database – Abies balsamea
  5. USFS FEIS Database –Abies balsamea
  6. WisFlora Database – Abies balsamea