Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

balsam fir Pinaceae Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet play symbol: ABBA
Leaf: Flattened needles, 3/4 inch long, blunt or notched at end, may be shorter and sharper pointed on upper branches, shiny dark green above and silvery-blue below.
Flower: Species is monoecious; males occur on undersides of leaf axils, purple to yellow-brown; females occur in upper crown, are purple and inconspicuous.
Fruit: Resinous cones are upright, 2 to 3 1/2 inches long, oblong to cylindrical, green with purple tinge, with bracts shorter than the scales; scales are deciduous with seed dispersal in late summer.
Twig: Yellow-green, later turning gray; buds are reddish brown and resin covered; leaf scars are flat and rounded.
Bark: Shiny silvery gray-brown, smooth except for numerous, raised resin blisters; largest stems may become a bit scaly.
Form: Balsam fir is a small to medium sized tree reaching 80 feet tall with a very narrow, spire-like crown.
 Looks like: Fraser fir - white fir - eastern hemlock - English yew

balsam fir leaf image
balsam fir flower image
balsam fir fruit image
balsam fir twig image
balsam fir bark image
balsam fir form image
balsam fir map image

Additional Range Information: Abies balsamea is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
More Information: Wood - Landowner Factsheet
External Links: USDAFS Silvics of North America - USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information