Balsam Fir Planting - Learn About Balsam Fir Tree Care

How do you plant a balsam fir tree?

Plant balled, burlaped, or bare root balsam fir trees in fall or spring. Fall is usually the best time to plant. Rehydrate bare root trees by soaking them in a bucket of water for several hours before planting. You can plant container-grown plants any time of year.

How do you plant a fir tree?

The optimal time to plant a fir tree is when it is dormant, in late autumn or winter. Before planting, thoroughly soak both the root ball and the soil in the hole you have dug. To help a fir tree get established in the garden, irrigate it with a soaker hose weekly, for an hour or more.

How do you care for a balsam fir?

Keep the fresh cut end of the tree clean. Display- Displaying trees in a traditional water reservoir stand is the most effective way to maintain freshness. Make sure to have a tree stand that fits the tree AND provides enough water. It should hold a quart of water for each inch of trunk diameter.

Where does balsam fir grow?

The balsam fir is a native evergreen well-adapted to the cold climates of the northern United States and Canada. Its symmetrical spire-like crown, shining dark green color, and spicy fragrance have made it a favorite Christmas tree for hundreds of years.

How long do balsam fir trees live?

Although they live, on average, for about 80 years, some balsam fir trees have been known to live for up to 150 years.

How long does it take a balsam fir tree to grow?

-If proper care is taken, the plant should grow to Christmas tree height in 7-10 years, and its full height in 15-30 years. The balsam fir is a top choice for a Christmas tree display in the home.

Do fir trees grow fast?

In your yard, a Douglas fir will only grow 40 to 60 feet tall. Experts at Cal Poly estimate the growth rate of Douglas fir at 24 inches a year, but this also depends on its growing conditions.

How fast do Fraser fir trees grow?

Fraser fir: The Southern-favorite Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) tree has an average growth period of about 7 years.

How long do fir trees live?

Red tree voles even obtain water from the tree by licking moisture off the needles. The largest coast Douglas firs commonly live to be at least 500 years and sometimes exceed 1,000 years. Rocky Mountain Douglas firs have a shorter lifespan, usually living no more than 400 years. The population of these trees is stable.

Can balsam fir grow in shade?

Another native evergreen tree that will grow in some shade is balsam fir. Common in northern Minnesota, balsam fir needs cool, moist soil to grow well. It grows tall and narrow with a spire-like form. It has short, dark green, wonderfully fragrant needles.

How can you tell the difference between a Fraser fir and a balsam fir?

Balsams grow faster meaning their branch strength is less than a Fraser, however Balsams are often “fuller”, with more, closer growing branches. Unlike the Fraser, Balsams have “soft” needles. This means that the needles lay flat so when you grab a branch with your hand, it's not sharp.

Which kind of Christmas tree lasts longest?

Longest lasting: The longest-lasting tree (if you take care of it!) is the Fraser Fir.

Do balsam fir trees smell?

Balsam and white pine were the only trees with enough space between the branches for lighted candles. But, yes, they do smell good. Turns out that pines and firs smell good because they contain volatile oils called "pinenes." These and several other chemicals form compounds which evaporate at moderate temperatures.

What is the balsam fir tree's most popular use?

Balsam fir is a conifer tree species of significant economic importance in Maine, and its products have many applications. Primary uses for the mature tree and its wood are for dimensional lumber, such as two-by-fours, and for pulp in papermaking.

How do you identify a balsam fir tree?

Identification of the Balsam Fir: The Balsam Fir features aromatic foliage and a narrow, pointed, spire-like crown. The needles are flat, about 3/4 long, and dark green in color. The under side of the needle is pale with a few white lines. Like all firs, the needles are generally the longest in the middle of the twig.

Is balsam fir toxic?

There are no expected risks to the environment because balsam fir oil is approved for use only in indoor non-living areas and other enclosed spaces (for example, tractor cabs). Toxicity tests show that balsam fir oil is not expected to be harmful to living organisms or the environment.

Do deer eat balsam fir trees?

Balsam fir is unpalatable to deer who only use it as winter cover, however, many species of wildlife do rely on balsam fir for food. Moose rely on balsam fir as their chief food source during the winter. Mice and voles eat the seeds and the bark. Red squirrels feed on the seeds, bark, wood, and flower buds.

What are balsam fir trees used for?

Common Uses: Construction lumber, paper (pulpwood), plywood, and other utility wood purposes. Comments: Balsam Fir is a favorite Christmas tree species, and its resin is used to make Canada balsam.

How much water does a balsam fir need?

Water twice per week for the first year, weekly in the second year. You can skip a watering if there has been an inch of rain since the last watering. Start training trees one full year after they are planted.

How far apart do you plant balsam fir trees?

After weed trees have been eliminated, some fir trees may still be too close together. Spacing the crop trees will ensure adequate sunlight to all branches and produce thicker, rounded tips. The balsam fir should be thinned to a spacing of eight to 10 feet apart (approximately 500 trees/acre).

What is the fastest growing tree?

The Fastest Fast Growing Trees

Hybrid Poplar. A very fast-growing tree, up to 5 to 8 feet per year. ...
Weeping Willow. ...
Quaking Aspen. ...
October Glory Red Maple. ...
Arborvitae Green Giant. ...
River Birch. ...
Dawn Redwood. ...
Leyland Cypress.