Fig. 10: Well-shaped tree and foliage of Fraser fir.
Fig. 11: Well-shaped tree and foliage of balsam fir.
Needles of the true firs are borne singly along the twigs and are usually fairly short and rounded at the tips. Needle retention on cut trees is excellent. Most firs prefer moist, cool climates and moist, well drained soils with moderate to high fertility. The basic conical form of trees is good, but irregular growth rates and limbs of uneven length usually require some shearing in order to produce high quality trees. Firs are subject to late spring frost injury. Low lying sites or "frost pockets" should be avoided when possible.
Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri): Fraser fir, or southern balsam fir, is native to the Appalachian Mountains in parts of Virginia, North Carolina and eastern Tennessee (Fig. 10). Limbs are sturdy, and the tree has a pleasant "balsam" odor. It is quite similar to balsam fir except that needles are darker green above and it has prominent white bands on the undersides of needles. Growth begins later in spring, making it less susceptible to late frost injury than balsam fir. Fraser fir can be planted on moist, well drained sites at most locations in central and northern Ohio. It should be adaptable to southern areas in the state? particularly on cooler north and east facing slopes. Fraser fir does not survive or grow well on wet sites; in addition, there are indications that the species may have problems on drier sites during periods of prolonged drought. Growth of Fraser fir is generally more regular and rapid than that of balsam fir, and 6- to 7-foot trees can probably be produced in 7 to 11 years on good sites. The balsam wooly aphid is the major pest affecting Fraser fir.
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Fig. 10: Well-shaped tree and foliage of Fraser fir. | Fig. 11: Well-shaped tree and foliage of balsam fir. |
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea): Balsam fir is not native to Ohio but is native to Canada and the northern U.S. southward through the Appalachian Mountains to West Virginia (Fig. 11). In its native habitat, it is often found growing in or near swampy areas. However, it is difficult to establish balsam fir plantings in such areas, and planting should be confined if possible to well and moderately well drained sites. Plantations in Ohio should probably be confined to the northern portion of the state, although plantings on north and east facing slopes might be successful in central and southern areas. Balsam fir often begins growth early in the spring and is therefore vulnerable to injury by late spring frosts. Because of this, planting of the species in Ohio has declined in recent years. Growers seem to prefer the more frost resistant Fraser fir. Because of irregular growth rates (partly related to frost injury), 10 to 15 years may be needed to produce 6- to 7-foot trees on relatively good sites. The major pest affecting balsam fir is the balsam wooly aphid.
Other Firs: A number of North American, European and Asiatic fir species might possibly be produced as Christmas trees in Ohio. These include red fir (Abies magnifica) and noble fir (Abies procera) from the western United States, Nordman fir (Abies nordmanniana) and Cilician fir (Abies cilicia) from Europe and Veitch fir (Abies veitchii) and Nikko fir (Abies homolepis) from Asia. However, these species have not been adequately tested under conditions in Ohio and cannot be generally recommended at this time. One species that has been planted in limited quantities in a number of areas is white or concolor fir (Abies concolor). It is native to the West and has relatively long (2 to 3 inches), silvery-blue to silvery-green needles. Like balsam fir, white fir is relatively difficult to establish in plantations, and growth after planting is often very irregular. Temperature requirements for the species are not well established in Ohio, but sites in central and northern portions of the state are probably preferable. Rotation lengths to produce 6- to 7-foot trees are probably 10 to 15 years. Little damage from insects or diseases has been encountered on white fir.