Balsam fir Christmas tree: what to expect

Trusted sources split on just how good it is, so here is who says what. Penn State Extension and Cornell Cooperative Extension rate its needle holding as good. Iowa State Extension calls it excellent, and University of Wisconsin Extension puts balsam among the firs that hold needles best. Michigan State University's species guide lands in between: good to excellent when the tree stands in water.

That same Michigan State guide also rates each tree when it has been allowed to dry, and balsam drops to fair. In plain words: this tree forgives you a lot, as long as the water bowl never empties. For how many weeks a real tree stays fresh in general, see our Christmas tree care guide.

Every source that describes its smell uses big words. Michigan State's guide says balsam is preferred for its strong scent. Wisconsin Extension calls it the most aromatic tree in its group, Iowa State rates its fragrance excellent, and Penn State describes it as spicy and resinous. The Morton Arboretum and NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox both mention its strong balsam fragrance, which NC State says comes out when you crush the needles.

So if the smell of the tree is the whole point for you, balsam is the one that fills a room.

Michigan State's ratings tell the story: good to excellent in water, only fair once the tree has dried. That's why a balsam that went thirsty for a day or two can start raining needles. Keep it in the coolest spot you have, away from heaters and sunny windows, and give it a fresh cut before it goes in the stand. Our Christmas tree care guide walks through each step, including why plain water is all it needs.

The USDA Forest Service even calls Fraser fir "southern balsam fir" (Fire Effects Information System). Here's how they differ:

• Where they grow wild. Balsam is a northern tree, native to the northeastern US and most of Canada (USDA Forest Service). Fraser grows wild only on the high peaks of the southern Appalachians, per NC State Extension.
• Branches. Cornell says balsam branches are flexible and might struggle with heavier ornaments. Penn State calls them moderately stiff. Wisconsin and NC State describe Fraser's branches as stiff and strong enough for heavy ornaments, though Penn State rates Fraser moderately stiff too. See the Fraser fir page for the full picture.
• Shape. Cornell says balsam is narrower than average, which makes it good for tight spaces, while Fraser has open spacing between branches that makes decorating easy.
• When it dries. Michigan State rates Fraser good even after drying, the best of the firs in its guide; balsam drops to fair.
• Water. Penn State notes Fraser can drink even more water than other trees in the first days, so fill its stand often.
• Scent and needles. Both have soft needles and a strong fragrance, so this one is close to a tie.

Utah State University Extension says spruces hold their needles less well than firs and pines, and NC State adds that spruces drop needles quickly as they dry. Wisconsin notes that spruces don't hold needles long and aren't aromatic the way firs are. One spruce, the white spruce, even smells unpleasant when its needles are crushed, according to Iowa State and University of Illinois Extension.

Spruces do win on strength. Penn State says Colorado blue spruce holds the heaviest ornaments, though its needles are sharp. Read more on our Colorado blue spruce page, or compare all 16 trees side by side.

Balsam grows best where it's cool and moist, and its wild range runs across New England, New York and much of Canada, from Newfoundland and Labrador westward (USDA Forest Service). In Canada:

• Quebec: balsam fir is the most grown Christmas tree, with Fraser fir second, according to the Government of Quebec (in French).
• Nova Scotia: Tourism Nova Scotia says Lunenburg County's cool, moist winters suit balsam fir, prized there for its dense foliage, scent and needle holding.
• Alberta: Alberta Agriculture says many people see balsam fir as the "real" Christmas tree.

The Morton Arboretum lists balsam fir for USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 5, while NC State's Plant Toolbox says zones 3a to 7b. Both agree on what it needs: acidic, moist, well-drained soil, and summers that don't get hot and humid. The Morton Arboretum adds that its roots are shallow, so it can blow over in strong wind.

A cut tree can't be planted. If you want a tree for the yard afterward, start with a potted or balled one, and read our cut vs potted Christmas tree guide first.