Balsam Fir

It is a handsome conifer with very aromatic foliage that grows well in the Northwoods of states like MN, WI, MI, NY, northern PA, VT, NH,...Read More ME, plus it grows in much of eastern and central Canada and a few spots in the Appalachians of VA & WV, often in swamps or bogs or along watercourses, but also uphill usually on east or north facing slopes. I first saw a few in the Chicago area, but they were not thriving, just getting by because of hot, dry summers. I finally saw a good specimen in southeast PA in a small hill with some White Pines and shrubs nearby. In Nature it grows about 6"/year and lives about 150 to 200 years. It is still a popular Christmas tree with its soft, fragrant foliage. It takes 9 to 10 years to produce a 6 to 7 feet high Balsam Fir Christmas tree. The very similar Frasier Fir from the central Appalachian Mts has been replacing this as a Christmas tree because the latter has slightly thicker foliage on the twigs and it retains its needles a little better. The Balsam Fir does not have reflexed bracts on its cones, which like other fir are erect on the branches and disintegrate at maturity, don't fall as a whole.

Have not seen this tree age yet, but in youth its very attractive if grown in full sun. Despite the heat, seems to do alright as far sout...Read Moreh as central New Jersey, at least in youth.

This is a shade tolerant tree that can survives where spruces wil have trouble but don't plant it near other trees as its top will become...Read More misshaped. Certain species of warblers seem to love it during their spring migration north. I have three trees, dug up north from a relative's property and it appear that it is rare in commerical because a lot of sources has negativity about its cultivity, especially short life spans. To tell the difference between this tree and spruces, it have a smooth bark with resin scars. Roots appear to be shallow, growing in sandy soil making it a bit difficult to mow. Its zone hardiness is to 2, as it is one of a few trees that goes to the arctic circle.
Update: I have seen a cool form in nature - at Scenic State Park on a trail called Chase Point there is one form that have rooted as a lower branch some time ago and have now totally separated from its parent tree and become something of a bush with no central leader.

A steeple shaped evergreen tree with up to 1 1/2" long and whitened beneath. Most needles are in flattened sprays and have a broad circul...Read Morear base.

Cones are 1" to 3" long and fall apart upon ripening in late Autumn, leaving erect central cores.

These trees may grow as a matlike plant at the timberline.

Bark is rather smooth with resin blisters.

The resin was often sold in stores as a confection before the invention of chicle chewing gum, and the resinous knots were often used as torches.