West Virginia Balsam Fir Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Abies balsamea subsp. phanerolepis
- Abies intermedia
- Description
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Canaan fir is a needled evergreen tree in the Pinaceae (pine) family found in the high-elevation mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, and the northern most eastern states into Canada. The common name Cannan comes from the Canaan Valley which is located northeast of Elkins, WV. It is similar to Fraser and balsam firs within both appearance and growth rate.
Plant in the full sun to partial shade. Canaan fir tolerates wet soils better than other firs though it prefers moist, well-drained sandy loam acidic soils. It grows to a mature heigh of 55 feet and width of 25 feet so be sure to have enough room for this needled evergreen. While Canaan fir does not tolerate urban pollution well its buds break later than Fraser or balsam fir so it is less susceptible to frost damage.
This handsome formal densely branched conical tree with short dark blue green needles makes an ideal accent plant, small grouping, for screening or it can be used as a Christmas tree. Use it in a rain garden, near a lawn, or in a naturalized area, meadow, or woodland area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See potential pests of conifers fact sheet to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abies
- Species:
- balsamea
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Appalachian Mountains
- Distribution:
- ME , NH , VA , VT , WV
- Dimensions:
- Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 55 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Columnar
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Violet cones turn gray-brown when mature
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- no flowers
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Needles are 0.8 to 1 inch long, flat, soft, dark green above and have silvery blue-white, longitudinal bands or stripes on the underside. The needles are highly fragrant.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Smooth gray bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
