Abies balsamea

Abies balsamea, the balsam fir, is a medium-sized evergreen coniferous tree in the family Pinaceae, order Pinales, native to the boreal and cool temperate forests of northeastern North America. Its range extends from Newfoundland and Labrador westward across Canada to the Rocky Mountains and southward into the northeastern United States, where it is a characteristic species of northern boreal forests and is one of the most widespread firs on the continent. The balsam fir typically grows to 14 to 20 metres, rarely to 25 metres, with a narrowly conical, spire-like crown that remains characteristic throughout the tree's life. The bark is smooth and grey-brown on young trees, covered with resin blisters containing fragrant oleoresin, and becomes roughened and reddish-brown in older specimens. The flat, aromatic needles are dark green and shiny above with two whitish bands on the underside, leaving circular scars when they fall. The species is renowned for its strong, pleasant balsamic fragrance, which arises from the aromatic resin permeating its tissues. Seed cones are cylindrical, erect, and dark purple, approximately 5 to 10 centimetres long, disintegrating at maturity. Balsam fir is the quintessential Christmas tree species in North America, commercially harvested in vast numbers for the holiday trade. Its resin has been used medicinally and as Canada balsam in optical cements and microscopy mounting media. It provides critical habitat for numerous boreal species, including the boreal chickadee and spruce-fir warbler.