In certain cases, exotics may be better adapted to certain soil conditions, such as high soil pH or wet soils, or more resistance to diseases. A popular Christmas tree that grows wild throughout high-elevation forests from the Yukon to Arizona is the Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Bark: Gray-brown with thick scales on mature trees. Corkbark fir is slower growing and more compact than subalpine fir and has even bluer needles. Due to the usually wide bands of soft earlywood there is a definite tendency for these to tear in sawing. The needles have blunt ends and are often notched at the tip. Fruit: Upright, cylindrical, very dark purple, 2 to 4 inches long in the upper part of the crown; fine, hairy, cone scales; long, broad-winged seeds. The wood is generally straight-grained with medium to coarse, but even texture. informational sites contact us. In eastern North America, there is one main speciesbalsam fir (Abies balsamea) ranging from Alberta to Newfoundland, south to Wisconsin and New York. Habitat: Rocky soils of moist northern slopes; in pure stands and mixed conifer forests. New stands quickly establish when cones open and seeds are released. Douglas Fir is a large coniferous tree with a pyramidal shaped crown. Michigan Christmas tree growers are an innovative lot, however, and consumers may find exotic or lesser-known species as theyre looking for this years tree. Fruit: Yellow-brown, egg-shaped cones; thick, rounded cone scales that end in a blunt point; seeds are large with a very short wing. Ninety percent of American families pull out their wallets and buy their Christmas tree from a lot or a cut your own Christmas tree farm. in the world. 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Fruit: Inch long with capsules containing 3 to 4 valves; many tiny, cotton-like seeds inside valves. Leaves: Slender evergreen needles are blue-green with white lines on all surfaces; 2 to 3 inches long, typically 5 in a bundle. Habitat: Moist soils of high mountain valleys; in pure stands and with other firs. Relation to Fire: Fires virtually nonexistent in these areas due to low temperatures and a short growing season. Also known as blister pine due to the numerous resin-containing blisters present on its bark, Balsam fir grows throughout the Forest Services Eastern Region, an area stretching from New England south to Pennsylvania and west to the Great Lakes states. Korean fir is an attractive tree with green needles that have silvery undersides. Copyright 2022 CCI Media, LLC All Rights Reserved. Leaves:2 to 5 inches long and wide. well-adapted to snowy environments because their short, stiff branches and These deciduous cones fall apart when mature so they are rarely found on the ground. Most are blunt to the touch. Leaves:Light green on top, paler on the bottom. : similar to Subalpine fir, but the bark becomes thick and soft or The bark is very thick and deeply furrowed with broad, often corky ridges. Fruit:Spherical drupes about 1/4-inch diameter. Colorados major tree species include bristlecone pine, Colorado blue spruce, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, limber pine, lodgepole pine, narrowleaf cottonwood, quaking aspen, pion pine, plains cottonwood, ponderosa pine, Rocky Mountain juniper, subalpine fir and white fir. Leaves range from 2 to 5 inches long; 1 to 2 inches wide. cones are very distinctive and unlike true fir cones. Photo by Jill O'Donnell, MSU Extension. Subalpine fir, also known as balsam or balsam fir, grows throughout BCs interior and is marketed with lodgepole pine and interior spruce as the SPF (spruce-pine-fir) species group. Have something to say?

First and foremost: which tree species do you choose? Leaves: Broad-leaf foliage is bright green above and dull green below; rounded with a pointed tip, 1 to 3 inches wide on a flattened leaf head; nearly round and sawtoothed. densata) is a geographic variety of a well-known species; in this case white spruce. groups made large temporary baskets from sheets of bark that they stitched together with : needles flattened and soft, 1 3/4 to 3 inches long on lower The NFF is a 501(c)3 charitable, nonprofit organization.

Relation to Fire: Can be characterized as fire dependent. practice of cutting down a large tree just to take the crown. southern Colorado and of northern New Mexico. The second-most common tree of the high

Their needle coloration and appearance, however, give them a unique appeal. Bark: Gray-brown, thin, fibrous; shreds with a red-brown color underneath. Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa for the botanists out there) is a conifer that is native to mountains of the western U.S. and Canada. Habitat: Moist soils along streams; can often be found with willows and alders in coniferous forests. Balsam fir has the greatest geographical distribution of any North American fir species, limited only by its need for abundant moisture and humidity. and fat upright resinous cones on top branches which disintegrate on Habitat: Well-drained, sandy soils; moist sites of narrow bottomlands or along mountains streams; often in pure stands. Sign Up for Woodworking Network Newsletters, Get the latest headlines delivered to you daily Subscribe. The needles of a spruce are sharp and rigid. This results in a tree that has a very natural Christmas tree shape. Caribou eat the lichens that are found on the lower branches of these trees. Most forests In spite of this, balsam fir resin is also reported to have certain medicinal properties (which we do not guarantee): painkiller, antiseptic and a healing salve. Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 12053 Things to Note: This is not a true fir, however it does have similarities to spruces, hemlocks, and larches. Habitat: Found in floodplains, bordering streams, near springs and in moist woodlands; pure stands or with willows. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. In Michigan, we grow some conifers that are native Christmas trees like balsam fir, white spruce and white pine, but also commonly grow other trees that are not native like Fraser fir and blue spruce. Recommended planer settings: 20 hook angle and 20 kmpi (knife marks per inch). Relation to Fire: Severe fires can easily kill both young and mature trees. The Carrier people used the wood to make roofing shingles and burned the rotten wood to and 140 years of age, many trees become infected and die. : needles soft and flattened, 1 to 1 3/4 inches long on lower branches This circle makes it easy to recognize a true fir at any season. Kiln-dried SPF lumber is used as a structural framing material in all types of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural applications. Fruit: Oblong, olive-green to blue cones; 3 to 5 inches long; upright on topmost twigs; fine, hairy cone scales; paired, long-winged seeds.

The species are closely related and some botanists suggest they are varieties of the same species. Dark stain produces prominent wild grain. strong clue to identification. Michiganders that purchase a real tree for the holidays each year are likely familiar with many of the tried and true Christmas tree species that usually appear at tree lots and choose-and-cut farms such as Fraser fir, balsam fir, Douglas fir and blue spruce. The Douglas-Fir is not a true fir tree at all, but is listed here due to the similarity of name. Ontario being our most popular provinces. Few defects expected except in the most extreme cases. to stay updated. It is sometimes described as a cross between Fraser fir and balsam fir since many of its attributes are intermediate between those species, but it is actually a specific seed source of balsam fir from the Canaan Valley of West Virginia. Stick them with your finger and they pop, oozing a clear liquid. This attractive feature tree, with its distinctive drooping cones, is perfect for any grower who has lots of space and lives in a warm enough region. North America, and Oregon has six--more than any other state: Cones that perch like little owls on the topmost branches--so, look aloft for large, erect cones. Fruit: Shiny, yellow-brown, egg-shaped, serotinous* cones; to 2 inches long with raised, rounded cone scales and a tiny point. Leaves: Evergreen needles are yellow to dark green; 1 to 3 inches long; sharply pointed, stiff, stout, slightly flattened and often twisted; 2 needles per bundle. Quartersawn lumber or quarter-sliced veneer: distinct, inconspicuous growth ring stripe. mellow pine). The wood is used for used for furniture, construction lumber (2x4, 2x6), particleboard, and pulp. The sapwood is not clearly differentiated from the heartwood. Due to the usually wide bands of soft earlywood there is a definite tendency for these to tear in mortising. Douglas-fir is not a true fir, hence the hyphenation in its name. Pacific silver fir, noble Bark: Green-white, smooth and thin with raised dark patches; on very large trees, trunk base is often gray, thick and furrowed. Like Kiln drying inhibits natural staining of the wood, improves its strength and stiffness, enhances its appearance, and increases its resistance to decay and attack by insects. Best results are obtained when using light-coloured waxes (e.g. Often grows with ponderosa and pion pines or on open mesas. Fruit: Blue-gray berries; waxy and juicy; 1/4 inch in diameter; typically two-seeded. Fruit: Cones are yellow-brown, unique, short and squatty; 1 to 2 inches long. Height:10 to 15 feet, usually occurring as a shrub.

When talking about Christmas trees, the term exotic has morphed into meaning less common or unusual. Relation to Fire: Thin, resinous bark of young trees makes them highly susceptible to fire; after 40 years, trees have developed a very thick layer of bark to protect them during hot ground and surface fires. Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) and Turkish fir (Abies bornmuelleriana) are native to southeastern Europe. Habitat: Common on moist sites; often found along streams in mountainous areas at higher elevations. Subalpine fir does not live long because of its susceptibility to Dark green, palmately lobed; veined with 3 to 5 lobes. Its scientific name, Pseudotsuga menziesii, literally translates to false (pseudo) hemlock (tsuga). corky and broken into ridges, in color grey, ash-white, creamy-white,

Recommended: light-coloured stains with low penetration power will produce a more even colour. Both species have deep green needles and layered appearance to their branches. Disperses seeds in the wind; resprouts following fire; can quickly revegetate burned areas. It has a low-taper stem and a narrow, dense, cylindrical crown of short, stiff, drooping branches. Subalpine fir is a medium-sized tree that is usually 20 to 35 metres tall and 30 centimetres in diameter, although it can occasionally reach a height of 50 metres. Fruit:Acorns, about 1 inch long with a scaled cup covering almost half. Tips for success with your first real Christmas tree, Living Christmas trees: Another real tree option, 3 easy steps to make your real Christmas tree last this holiday season. by common name trees Notes In the western side of the continent, the commercial fir lumber species are subalpine fir (A. Lasiocarpa), California red fir (A. Magnifica), grand fir (A. Grandis), noble fir (A. Procera), Pa-cific silver fir (A. Amabilis) and white fir (A. Concolor).

Habitat: Dry, nutrient poor soils in open park-like stands or with Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain juniper and spruce. tree, website Balsam fir grows from sea level to just below the summit of Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S. Its dark green, fragrant, long-lasting needles and perfect cone shape make it the most popular choice for a Christmas tree in the East. Relation to Fire: Afire-adapted species. Fruit: Light brown, short-stalked cones that hang down from the branches; 1 to 3 inches long; have rounded scales and very distinctive papery, three-lobed bracts that extend beyond the cone scales and resemble a mouse posterior or a snakes tongue. younger trees, has resin blisters. fir,

Habitat: Grows on rocky soils in the foothills and on the plains; often associated with pion pines.

The true firs, called true firs to distinguish the wood from Douglas-fir, consist of more than 40 species in North America, but only seven species produce commercial lumber. with spruce. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bark: Light gray and smooth when young; red-brown with irregular, scaly ridges when mature. A medium-sized tree usually 20 to 35 metres tall; occasionally grows to 50 metres. Corkbark Fir or pale- yellowish. want to stop in to your local Ranger District office to check cutting dates and Fruit: Light red-brown cones; 3 to 4 inches long; egg-shaped with scales that are tipped by a sharp point; small, long-winged seeds. small flakes of the coating were detached at intersections of cuts) and in the pull-off test (i.e. Requiring cool summers, cold winters, and deep snowpack, the Subalpine fir grows best at elevations above 2,000 feet. Sticky Spruce Friendly Firs, Subalpine Fir cones, core after dispersion, All rights reserved Boulder Tree 2019. Leaves:Leaves are dark green and glossy on top, paler on the underside; 1 to 4 inches long; up to 2 inches wide. Canaan fir (Abies balsamea var phanerolepis) is closely related to balsam fir and Fraser fir. Bark:Light to dark gray-brown; speckled,bumpy (lenticels). Developed by Forestry Innovation Investment, naturally:wood is a comprehensive information resource promoting British Columbia as a global supplier of quality, environmentally-responsible forest products from sustainably-managed forests. Bark marked with rows of raised air pores (lenticels) which develop into shallow grooves with age. most commonly rounded and are often covered with wax, resin, or curved Bark:Light gray-brown with shallow fissures which develop into furrows.

Most closely tied to drainages in arid zones; also occurs in drier areas further north and at higher elevations. the Pacific Northwest, go to the species November 22, 2017. Whichever tree you choose, youll want to be aware of any 2 to 4 inches long; pinnately compound with 3 to 5 grouped leaflets. Korean fir can be a challenge for growers as they may not always keep a straight, single leader. Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry - Also be sure to observe stump limits. Dark green on top with a pale green, hairy underside. Subalpine fir makes a beautiful Christmas tree with a compact, pyramidal form and bluish needles. Subalpine fir lumber is dried according to end-use and customer specifications. Nordmann fir is by far the most popular Christmas tree in Europe. Why is my Christmas tree beginning to grow? Margins doubly-serrated with pinnate venation. Leaves: Evergreen needles are single on the twig, yellow-green to blue-green in color. Subalpine Fir Oftentimes when construction 2x4 lumber is purchased at a local lumber yard in North America, the lumber grade stamp will indicate that the species is SPF, which is a combination of spruce, pine and fir; the fir in this grouping is balsam fir, also called Canadian fir or eastern fir. Along withspruce and lodgepole pine, it is usedto produce100 percent bleached Kraft pulp andchemi-thermo-mechanical pulp (CTMP). Young stems have fragrant resin blisters; buds are 2022 naturally:wood and Forestry Innovation Investment. We are a service and outreach agency of the, Colorado Wood Utilization & Marketing Program, Colorado State Forest Service Seedling Tree Nurserys page. of most species are about 1" long Mature trees have a reddish-brown or grey color. arizonica) within subalpine fir. Confusingly, both Douglas-firs common and scientific names indicate what Douglas-fir is not, rather than what it is. Subalpine Fir is often used in naturalization projects, however, this variety will act as a beautiful specimen tree on its own. North America, and Oregon has six--more than any other state: grand Relation to Fire: Easily killed by fire due to thin bark, shallow roots and low branches. The annual growth rings often show somewhat prominent brown latewood bands. Habitat:Occurs in wetlands, stream banks, canyons and upland mountain slopes.

Getting your tree from a National Forest can be a fulfilling and adventurous family outing, but it does require a few extra considerations. Habitat: Mostly well-drained soils in high elevations, often in pure stands. Habitat: Open woodlands; alone or with junipers on dry rocky foothills, mesas and plateaus. They have a lifespan of about 120 to 140 years. Unlike subalpine fir needles, Douglas-fir needles narrow before joining the twig. Relation to Fire:Although susceptible to top-kill by fire, it resprouts rapidly and prolifically from surviving root crowns and rhizomes. Smooth finish with little texture. The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service is to achieve stewardship of Colorados diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. Leaves: Evergreen needles are stiff, dark yellow-green; 3 to 7 inches long; typically in bundles of 3 that form tufts near the ends of branches. A sure way to tell a D Fir from a spruce is that there are no snake tongues (bracts) between the scales of a spruce and there are snake tongues (3 point bracts) between the scales of a Douglas Fir. Relation to Fire: Easily killed by fire, but quick to send out many sucker shoots; readily colonizes after a fire.

brown, 1 to 3 inches long, and have Chinese-firs, and a number of other pretenders. Subalpine fir has a distinctive long, narrow crown of short stiff branches. get your permit. Bark:Gray to reddish-brown. Resins and oils from the bark and foliage of true firs are used for a variety of products, including perfumes, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. Young stems have fragrant resin blisters. Bark: Gray, smooth and thin when young; red-brown, rough and furrowed into scaly ridges at maturity. forests, this tree forms tall, narrow, spire-like trees, the narrowest He is extension specialist emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Concolor fir has long, blue needles, giving it a unique, coarse appearance. The Douglas-Fir is not a true fir; it has similarities to spruces and hemlocks as well as firs. Leaves: Evergreen needles are light blue-green or silvery with white lines on both surfaces; 1 to 3 inches long; flat and rounded. Habitat: Cold, high elevation forests; with Engelmann spruce and other conifers. All rights reserved. Black hills spruce.

the tree after one season, the scales and seeds falling to the ground www.earthshare.org Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Douglas-fir needles are sweet-smelling, adding to its value as a Seeds readily germinate on recently burned ground. Leaves: Evergreen needles are dark, blue-green with silvery lines on both surfaces; 1 to 1-1/2 inches long; flat and blunt tipped; crowded and curved upward on twigs at nearly right angles. Bark: Gray and smooth with resin blisters while young; shallow fissures and scaly when mature. You could debate whether concolor fir (Abies concolor) should be included in a list of exotic Christmas trees.

Relation to Fire: Young trees can be killed by any fire; mature trees can only survive low-intensity fires, but due to the sparse fuels, late snow-melt and short growing season, this species is rarely affected. spruce roots. Christmas tree. Reproduction, retransmission, or redistribution prohibited without written Sometimes they're called "balsam firs" because

Growers produce exotics to give their customers a greater range of choices when they come to their farm or tree lot. Subalpine fir, also known as balsam or balsam fir, grows throughout most of the BC Interior from mid to high elevations, as well as near sea level on the north coast. Dr. Cregg's work is funded in part by MSU's AgBioResearch.

regulations such as allowable tree height, prohibited tree species, and

Relation to Fire:Typically subject to top-kill by fire; may resprout depending on the severity of the burn. Leaves Douglas-Fir has short flat soft needles, similar to a true fir, but the *Seeds released from cones by exposure to extreme heat. Young branches are very flexible, hence the name. from the branch, and fall intact from the tree. Strictly speaking, an exotic is tree species that is not native to our area. The arrangement of needles along the shoots of Korean fir give them a bottlebrush appearance. Serrated margins with very small teeth. Sign-up for our email newsletter and stay connected. make a substance for tanning hides. It is used in the manufacture of prefabricated houses, trusses, and other structural components. Abundant throughout the Forest Services Rocky Mountain, Intermountain, Southwestern and Pacific Regions, Douglas-fir tends to be the most common Christmas tree choice for westerners. Black hill spruce retains the pyramidal form and short, gray-green needles of white spruce, but has a slower growth rate and more compact form.

Bark: Dark on young trees; nearly 3 inches thick, red-orange and furrowed into large, flat scaly plates on mature trees. as long as 1,000 years, coast Douglas-fir is the second tallest conifer species Bark: Green-yellow and smooth while young; dark gray, thick, rough and deeply furrowed at maturity. Erect cones perch on the topmost branches like Relation to Fire: Generally killed by fire due to thin bark, shallow roots, low growing branches, tendency to grow in dense stands and support heavy lichen growth. Habitat: Occurs naturally in a wide range of soil types and textures, although generally regarded as a riparian plant. Leaves: Evergreen needles are stout and light green; 1 to 1-1/2 inches long; 2 in a bundle. Fruit:Paired, winged seeds (double samaras) about 1/3-inch long; usually green with reddish hues turning tan when ripe. Relation to Fire: Ground fires kill many trees due to thin bark. Specialty in-house grades, lamstock and export grades are also available, and appearance grades can be produced according to NLGA rules.

a book "Trees to Know" more It is a valuable tree in the timber industry.

Not appropriate for prolonged outdoor exposure. Get acquainted with the most commonly produced and exported lumber grades in boards and structural dimension lumber from BCs interior softwood species. Margins may be slightly lobed, resembling a classic maple leaf. Tea brewed pitch is suppose to cure coughs, heart problems, colds, ear aches, rheumatism, and headaches. Deeply divided by flat, connected ridges. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. fir, California 2022 National Forest Foundation. This can affect finishing, especially with water-based stains. Category: We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Like the Balsam fir, Douglas-fir bark, especially the bark of

Found below 10,000 feet, in the mountains of central and Relation to Fire:Easily killed by fire, however, wind-dispersed seeds and ease of establishment on disturbed sites allow for greater post fire recovery. As the name implies, Korean fir (Abies koreana) is native to mountains in Korea. Leaves: Evergreen scalelike needles are small, gray-green or silvery. The needles of both firs and Douglas firs are softer and not so pointed. select one tree from a clump, which promotes forest health through thinning. Habitat: High, cold forest environments on moist, northern slopes; with subalpine fir and other conifers. Although the trees can easily be separated into separate species, once cut into lumber, the wood of all the firs looks alike. needles. Some also use the wood for roofing shingles and burn rotten wood to make a substance for tanning hides. Its nicely spaced branches are ideal for showcasing your favorite ornaments and, unlike the draping fronds of the Douglas or Balsam fir, the Subalpines stout branches wont bend under the weight of even your largest decorations. Trees. In its native range, it is often noted for its spire-like form. Gene Wengert, The Wood Doctor has been training people in efficient use of wood for 35 years. Seeds have a single, long and well-developed wing. The wood itself is somewhat impermeable to liquids. All have white

Bark: Light brown, thin with many small scales. Relation to Fire: Young are usually killed by low-intensity fires due to thin, resin blistered bark and drooping lower branches; mature trees are moderately fire tolerant. Pseudotsuga is its own genus, distinct from both fir and hemlock.

Finding abundant Douglas-fir cones on the ground under a tree is a They used the baskets for cooking or soaking hides. About 40 species Pollen cones are bluish. Leaf stem (petiole) generally reddish. Fir comes in many species, but lumber looks the same, Component sales projections remain strong: Exclusive report, Housing market & woodworking: Beyond the pandemic, Ontario company crafts chairs for papal visit, Milwaukee takes tallest timber high-rise title, Closets Symposium to be held August 22 in Atlanta, Western Forest Products acquires company to support mass timber initiatives, Reborn Cabinets acquired by growing home remodeling platform.