Canada balsam (Abies balsamea, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 3 (1768))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: (L.) Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 3 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Abies

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. & E. Canada to Virginia

Description

Canada balsam, scientifically named Abies balsamea, is an evergreen tree highly regarded both for its ecological significance and its practical uses. This esteemed member of the Pinaceae family is native to the North American region, specifically flourishing from Central and Eastern Canada extending down to Virginia.

First documented in 1768, Abies balsamea has garnered attention for its aromatic resin, traditionally known as balsam of Canada. This resin is particularly noted for its clarity and was historically used in the preparation of microscope slides and as a mounting medium for specimens due to its excellent optical properties.

The Canada balsam tree typically grows in cold climates, thriving in well-drained, acidic soils. It often forms dense, conical forests that contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits. The tree can reach impressive heights, predominantly growing between 14 to 20 meters tall, and is easily recognized by its flat, needle-like leaves that are dark green on top and silvery underneath, along with its smooth, grayish-bark adorned with resin blisters.

The tree’s cones are another distinctive feature; they stand upright on branches, ranging in color from green to purple when young, maturing to a rich brown. These cones play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of the species, contributing to its propagation across its native range.

Ecologically, the Canada balsam provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife. Birds, in particular, rely on its seeds, while the dense foliage offers shelter to numerous species. Timber produced from the Canada balsam is valued for its light weight and strength, often used in the construction of homes and in the production of paper.

The intrinsic natural beauty and the practical benefits of the Canada balsam have made it a favored choice for Christmas trees, especially in North America. Its pleasant fragrance, coupled with its symmetrical shape, ensures it remains a staple in holiday traditions.

In sum, Abies balsamea, or Canada balsam, is a tree of significant botanical and cultural importance, illustrative of the rich natural heritage extending from the northern reaches of Canada to the more temperate zones of Virginia.

Common Names

Ita: abete balsamico, abete balsamifero
Eng: balm of gilead fir, balsam, balsam fir, canada balsam, canadian fir, eastern fir, fir balsam
Deu: balsam-tanne, balsamtanne
Dan: balsam-ædelgran
Nld: balsem zilverspar
Lav: balzama baltegle
Lit: balzaminis kėnis
Hun: balzsamos jegenyefenyo
Swe: balsamgran
Fra: baumier, sapin balsamier, sapin baumier
Slk: jedla balzamová
Rus: пихта бальзамическя (pikhta bal’zamicheskya)
Zho: 香脂冷杉 (xiang zhi leng shan)
En: Canada balsam, Balsam, Balsam fir, Fir balsam, Eastern fir, Canadian Fir, Balm of Gilead fir, American silver Fir
Ar: شوح بلسمي
Hy: Եղևին բալասանային
Az: Ətirli ağ şam
Eu: Baltsamo-izei
Be: Піхта бальзамічная
Bg: Балсамова ела
Ca: Avet balsàmic, Avet del bàlsam
Zh: 加拿大香脂冷杉, 香脂冷杉 (xiang zhi leng shan)
Cr: Napakâsîta
Hr: Balzamasta jela
Cs: Jedle balzámová
Da: Balsam-ædelgran
Nl: Balsemzilverspar, Balsem zilverspar
Eo: Balzama abio
Et: Palsaminulg
Fi: Palsamipihta
Fr: Sapin balsamier, Sapin baumier, Baumier
De: Balsamtanne, Balsam-Tanne
El: Ελάτη η βαλσαμική
He: אשוח ריחני
Hu: Balzsamfenyő, Balzsamos jegenyefenyo
Is: Balsamþinur
It: Abete balsamifero, Abete balsamico
Kv: Бальзам ньыв
Lv: Balzama baltegle
Lt: Balzaminis kėnis
No: Balsamgran
Oj: Aninaandag, Aninaandagoog, “ingiigido’aag (she speaks for us, She stands in prayer for us”, Ininaandag, Ininaandagoog, Nimisenh, Nimisenyag, Wadab, Wadabiig
Fa: نراد بالسام
Pl: Jodła balsamiczna
Ru: Пихта бальзамическая, Пихта бальзамическя (pikhta bal’zamicheskya)
Sr: Балзамаста јела
Sk: Jedla balzamová
Es: Balzamovec
Sv: Balsamgran
Zh-tw: 膠冷杉
Uk: Ялиця бальзамічна

Synonyms

• Pinus taxifolia (Salisb.)
• Picea balsamea ((L.) Loudon)
• Pinus balsamea (L.)
• Peuce balsamea ((L.) Rich.)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bill Cook (cc-by)

Taken Jul 26, 2019 by Andrea (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Mateusz H (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2018 by Alexander Vocaet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2019 by Catalin Gruia (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2022 by Andrè Otheri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by ernst von freyberg (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 23, 2020 by kathy gilbert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2018 by David Andreu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2020 by Chanl GW (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2015 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 8, 2015 by EOL − Erika Mitchell (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Jul 7, 2020 by Stéphanie Leinen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2020 by rhackleford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2019 by tbbottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by Lena Myhre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by M Amy (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Tony (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − dvs on Flickr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (public)

Taken Jun 27, 2019 by Philippe Tanguy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 19, 2019 by M Amy (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 21, 2020 by Brent Harris (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2019 by Dominique Roux (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2019 by Mike Williams (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2018 by Alexander Vocaet (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2685383)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1084057-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Slow

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.0

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 5