Balsam Fir Abies concolor
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Balsam Fir:
Previously known as:
- Picea concolor
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-bees KON-kol-or
- Description
-
White Fir is a narrow pyramidal evergreen tree with horizontal branches and drooping lower branches. The native range is the western United States to northern Mexico (Baja California to northeastern Sonora, and northern Chihuahua). It prefers moist soil with good drainage. This densely branched tree is a favorite for cover and nesting. Withstands heat and drought better than most firs however, the tree needs to avoid winter salt spray. Used as a Christmas tree it has good needle retention after cutting.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It breaks buds early in the spring that can be susceptible to frost damage. See potential insect problems for conifers fact sheet to the left
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Cloak'
- 'Candicans'
Dwarf fir with lovely blue-green needles - 'Blue Cloak'
- 'Blue Cloak', 'Candicans', 'Compacta'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Cloak'
- 'Candicans'
Dwarf fir with lovely blue-green needles - 'Blue Cloak'
- 'Blue Cloak', 'Candicans', 'Compacta'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abies
- Species:
- concolor
- Family:
- Pinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western North America
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds find cover and nesting sites in the branches.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Cones are cylindrical, 5 inches long, green or brown with a purple bloom (wax) when young, brown and glossy at maturity. The cones break apart and release winged seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Description:
- No flowers
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Needles are 0.5 to 2 inches long; blue-green when young dull green with age; needles pointed or notched at tip. The needles have a strong citrus fragrance.
-
-
Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Orange
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Irregular
- Bark Description:
- When the tree is younger, the bark can nearly look smooth (which is quite different to when it is older with many irregular plates). When young, the bark can look light gray to light brown with hints of orange underneath.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Shade Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Pollution
