University of Illinois Home Contact Search
UI Plants Woody Ornamentals
Advanced Search
Select a Plant
ResourcesLinks
 Plant Details
habit
leaves
buds
stems
flowers
fruits
fallcolor
bark
culture

 

 

 



 

Abies balsamea
Balsam fir

Culture: The balsam fir requires moist, well-drained and acid soil. Due to its shallow rooting system, it is not tolerant of hot, dry conditions, as are found in the Midwest, and has a tendency to uproot in strong winds. It is relatively maintenance-free. When grown in warm climates it tends to limb itself up and produce a thin crown.

This species can be troubled by spruce budworms, balsam wooly aphids and several canker diseases.

Usage: Balsam fir is best used as a specimen plant due to its formal habit. It can be used for screening if soil conditions are appropriate.

 
All information on this site is copyright protected. Please see our copyright statement.  
©2025  Gary J. Kling, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  Christopher P. Lindsey, hort.net, NCSA
  Mark E. Zampardo, College of Lake County