Fraser Fir

Other names

Southern Balsam Fir, Southern Fir, She Balsam

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Mnts. of WV, NC and TN

Location

Conifer Slope

Source of plant

Nina Bassuk, Treehaven Evergreen Nursery, Ron Lance, NH Dept. of Nat. & Cultural Resources, Bill Dilger, Edward Cope

Description

Pyramidal tree with stiff, horizontal branches, becoming more open with age, reaching 30' to 40' in height, 20' to 25' in width, can attain 70' in height. Needles shining dark green with stomata above near the apex and two broad bands of 8 to 12 stomatic lines beneath. Cones ovoid or cylindrical, 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" long, and 1" to 1 1/4" wide, purple when young, becoming tan-brown; bracts much protruded and bent downwards so as to hide the scales.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

winter interest, other ethnobotanical uses