It might seem a bit early to talk about native evergreens, but as the Finns say, “You plan ahead beforehand”.  Indeed, we are going to spend the next six months talking about a variety of native evergreens, welcome additions of green to our prolonged white winter landscapes.

Of these various evergreens, balsam fir is a frequent forest highlight in central to northern Minnesota.  It is native from Minnesota east to Maine and south into the Appalachians as far as West Virginia.  It ranges from 45 to 70 feet in height, occasionally sprinting up to 90 feet.  It has a distinctive narrow conic crown of long dark green needle-like leaves.  Balsam fir will form 1 ½ to 3-inch seed cones which are long and dark purple, turning brown before dispersing its seeds in September.  It is a member of the pine family (Pinaceae) and is the traditional Christmas tree.  So, beware if your neighbor is spotted on your property in early December with an ax.

If you wish to add some winter green to your landscape with balsam fir, make sure your climate is suitable.  Balsam fir prefer cooler weather, ideally with a mean annual temperature of 40 degrees F. Practically speaking this means central to Northern Minnesota.  Further south, make sure to protect it from the summer heat.   Planting in moist well-drained soil on the north or east side of buildings would be a good idea.  

 This penchant for shady, cooler areas can be helpful planting in otherwise difficult north or east courtyards, creating a cool, afternoon shaded site in the warmer months.  Balsam fir’s ornamental aspects are substantive.  The needles are pleasantly aromatic, soft, dark green, having a silver underside.  The tree does tolerate partial shade well. 

If you are not looking for a 60-foot tree in your patio, Abies balsamea dwarf cultivars are available.  They can serve as elegant evergreens for a cool, afternoon shade site, usually ranging in size from 3 to 6 feet.  They can be used as a low screen or backdrop in difficult north or east facing courtyards.  Check with your nursery for “Weeping Larry”, “Piccolo” or “Nana” cultivars of balsam fir.

 Photo credits: Jeff Bisbe, treesandshrubsonline.org (1), www.treesandshrubsonline.org (2)