lets talk about fir trees

[bueller]

There is always lots of talk on the forums about spruce trees, particularly Norway spruce. But what about fir trees for deer habitat? From what I've gathered balsam and fraser firs are shade tolerant and keep their lower branches with age. I know they are grown for xmas trees in the sands near me so they must be pretty drought tolerant.

 

[Big Snow Man]

There is always lots of talk on the forums about spruce trees, particularly Norway spruce. But what about fir trees for deer habitat? From what I've gathered balsam and fraser firs are shade tolerant and keep their lower branches with age. I know they are grown for xmas trees in the sands near me so they must be pretty drought tolerant.

They will make great deer food. In the central area I see frasier under high fence

 

[bueller]

Do deer browse firs more than spruce?

 

[dipper]

Do deer browse firs more than spruce?

Ohhhhhhh yes

 

[bueller]

I didn't know that. I wonder if I would have an issue with deer browse here? Nature planted white pine seedlings survive here without protection while I know that many people can't plant them because of the browse pressure.

 

[bueller]

A few years ago my cousin planted some firs and spruces on sandy ground in Adams County and some are really taking off now. I know its not a great pic but does anybody have an educated guesses on what this might be?

 

[dipper]

That looks like a white spruce

 

[ruskbucks]

Balsam firs are a starvation food only for deer. They thrive in our area of northern WI because it is one of the only trees that the deer won't touch. They are very shade tolerant and also do well under a thick canopy. I have hundreds of these on my property and they do provide great cover but can become somewhat invasive growing in the hardwoods. I leave huge pockets of them for cover, but cut a ton of them down when the start popping up all over. I would recommend them for cover they do keep most of there branches to the ground. If a balsam is in the open with out shade,they can be turn out to be a great looking tree.

 

[ruskbucks]

A few years ago my cousin planted some firs and spruces on sandy ground in Adams County and some are really taking off now. I know its not a great pic but does anybody have an educated guesses on what this might be?

Balsam Fir

 

[chummer]

Balsam Fir

Good to know. I have these growing at my place and I just started transplanting them this fall. I have been taking ones up to knee high and just pull them out. I will see in the spring if this approach works. Some have a decent root ball some have very little.

 

[bueller]

Another pic I had snapped.

 

[bueller]

I think they planted Norway spruce, white spruce, blue spruce, Fraser fir, and balsam fir. Whatever these are seem to be doing the best.

 

[ruskbucks]

I wan't to change my answer. I agree with dipper,white spruce. Spruce will have a sharp needle like those, the balsams have a flat soft needle that won't poke you.

 

[Turkey Creek]

I agree not a fir, doesn't look like this one!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[bueller]

So has anybody that doesn't have firs growing naturally on their property planted them?

 

[chummer]

So has anybody that doesn't have firs growing naturally on their property planted them?

Mine have soft needles so I guess they are firs? I did not plant them but I am finding them every where. The ones I am transplanting are in 100% shade

 

[bueller]

Mine have soft needles so I guess they are firs? I did not plant them but I am finding them every where. The ones I am transplanting are in 100% shade

I've been doing some reading. Firs have flat needles that will not roll between your fingers. Spruce needles have square 4 sided needles that will roll between your fingers.

Growing in 100% shade, sounds like fir to me.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I agree with the guys that said white spruce. Balsam have soft, flatter needles. Balsam firs have a branching pattern that is " flatter " and in layers. I've seen gobs of them in Maine. Beautiful tree - I'm going to try planting some balsam firs at camp on a north-facing, shady slope. I hope they take !!

 

[scott44]

Last year I planted 20 each Cannan Fir, Doug Fir, Fraser Fir in the hay field as screening and possibly to get some Christmas trees.

 

[chickenlittle]

This talk got me poking around and I found this article on Balsam Fir in PA. According to this, it only naturally occurs in a few isolated bogs. Might work in one spot for me.

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/505706.html?nav=5013