Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis
Canaan Fir

Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis - Overall Tree

Family:

Pinaceae (Pine Family) 72

Genus:

Abies (Fir) 11

Plant Type:

Tree 556

Growth Forms:

Conical 52

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3 221

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Evergreen 249

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Appearing on males, catkin-like, developing from underside of leaf axil)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Lustrous dark evergreen foliage)

Stem Notes:

Gray (Smooth and covered with soft, fine hairs)

Fruit Notes:

Purple (Cones are a dark violet when young, maturing to gray-brown)

Ultimate Height:

40-55 feet

Ultimate Spread:

20-25 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Prefers, deep, moist, well-drained soils

Range:

Higher elevations from Alberta to Virginia

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Needles vary from 5/8 to 1" in length and 1/20 to 1/16" in width, are horizontally arranged, and occur in 2 lateral sets of needles separated by a v-shaped gap in between. Cones, 2-4" long, develop in the upper canopy of the tree and are a deep purple when young becoming grey-brown when mature. Buds are brownish and small, ovid, or globular.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Screen 171

Slow Growth Rate 266

Additional Information

The Canaan Fir is more tolerant of different environmental conditions than many other firs. It can tolerate wetter soils, and because of its later bud break, is more resistant to damage caused by late spring frost. Can be affected by spruce budworms, wooly adelgid, and several canker diseases, as well as deer. This species transplants well.