Balsam Fir

[Bowsnbucks]

Our camp planted about 10 balsam fir over a year ago just to see if they'll grow for us. We planted them on a gentle, north-facing slope at the edge of a logged area. They survived into their second year and seem to be growing well. New branches & shoots on 'em, so I guess they're establishing a root system. New to our property - hoping they take hold for more diversity. An experiment.

 

[SD51555]

It’s the primary natural conifer on my property. I like them. They also make fantastic fire starting wood.


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[BuckSutherland]

Balsam fir are dying at an alarming rate all across northern MN. Not sure about anywhere else. The big fires we had up in northern MN (St Louis county) this year were primarily fueled by large stands of freshly dead balsam. They are a great tree when they are alive. I have a few dozen left, but I expect them to all be dead within 5 years cause of disease.

 

[RGrizzzz]

Our camp planted about 10 balsam fir over a year ago just to see if they'll grow for us. We planted them on a gentle, north-facing slope at the edge of a logged area. They survived into their second year and seem to be growing well. New branches & shoots on 'em, so I guess they're establishing a root system. New to our property - hoping they take hold for more diversity. An experiment.

Protected from deer? Bare root? Plugs? What size?

 

[Jerry-B-WI]

Balsam fir are dying at an alarming rate all across northern MN. Not sure about anywhere else. The big fires we had up in northern MN (St Louis county) this year were primarily fueled by large stands of freshly dead balsam. They are a great tree when they are alive. I have a few dozen left, but I expect them to all be dead within 5 years cause of disease.

What kind of disease is killing them? They grow like weeds on my property.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Not sure what is happening in northern MN but eastern spruce budworm is a major bug pest in North America and really likes balsam fir along with the spruces. Serious outbreaks seem to occur every several decades and across Canada millions of acres can be impacted during the worst episodes.

 

[Natty Bumppo]

Balsam fir are dying at an alarming rate all across northern MN. Not sure about anywhere else. The big fires we had up in northern MN (St Louis county) this year were primarily fueled by large stands of freshly dead balsam. They are a great tree when they are alive. I have a few dozen left, but I expect them to all be dead within 5 years cause of disease.

Same here in NW Mass. I have extensive spruce/fir/tamarack swamps and the balsam fir is not healthy. I don't think they are particularly long lived species to begin with...and a warming climate and the fact that I am already on the southern limit of its range I think are stressing them.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Protected from deer? Bare root? Plugs? What size?

Some are caged - some are not. They were all bare root seedlings about 8" to 10" tall. They get sun now, because we logged off the area to the south of where they're planted. Balsams were planted after the logging. They'll probably get shaded at some point in years ahead as maples, oaks, white pines, and birches get going. Not real concerned about shading so much, having seen thousands of balsam fir in shady woods in Maine when hunting there.

Sorry to hear some of you gents are losing balsams to disease or some insects. They're a beautiful tree. I took loads of pics of them while hunting in Maine. Limbs seem to grow in layers up the tree. Hopefully northern arboretums & silviculturists are saving seed for the future after disease has run its course.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Same here in NW Mass. I have extensive spruce/fir/tamarack swamps and the balsam fir is not healthy. I don't think they are particularly long lived species to begin with...and a warming climate and the fact that I am already on the southern limit of its range I think are stressing them.

On a recent episode of "This Old House" in Massachusetts, the landowners were advised to not plant any maples on their property, because the climate is getting too warm there to support planting new maples. They were told by a landscape nursery owner to choose from some southern tree species. - - - Scary when maples are being "heated-out" of New England.

The "hoax" is actually happening.