Balsam Fir

About Balsam Fir in Alberta

Balsam Fir is a native Alberta conifer at the western edge of its broader Canadian range. In Alberta it is mainly a species of northeastern and north-central boreal forest, with more scattered lower-foothill occurrence on moist sheltered sites extending south toward Rocky Mountain House. It is best recognized by its flat fragrant needles, smooth gray blistered bark on young trees, and upright cones that break apart on the tree. For ARA purposes, it matters most as a sign of older moist forest continuity rather than as a common ornamental or broad urban planting tree.

Identification: Needles are flat, soft, and flexible, usually about 1.2-2.5 cm long. They are dark shiny green above and whitish beneath because of pale stomatal bands. Tips are usually blunt or slightly notched. On many shaded branchlets they appear arranged in two combed rows, which gives the foliage a flattened look.

Alberta range and habitat: Balsam Fir is mainly a wild species of northeastern and north-central Alberta. It extends south in scattered lower-foothill occurrences to around Rocky Mountain House and may also appear in some older moister Dry Mixedwood sites near the edge of its Alberta range.