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 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 in both appearance and growth rate.
Canaan Fir tolerates wet soils better than other firs though it prefers moist, well-drained sandy loam acidic soils. This tree doesn't 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 makes an ideal accent plant, small grouping, screening or it can be used as a Christmas tree.
- 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
- 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:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a
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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:
- 3/4"-1" long flat soft needles dark green above and silvery blue white somatic bands 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
