balsam fir Pinaceae Abies balsamea
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.
Notes:
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