Here we go, a little tree identification this time, with the balsam fir. If you put your identifying factors into different sections it makes it a lot easier. So, first I wanna look at the trunk.

Balsam fir’s scientific name is Abies balsamea. It is often misidentified as a Christmas tree or pine tree. ... There are a few distinctive features of this tree that make identification simple.

The typical balsam fir tree is about 60 feet tall and 1-1/2 feet in diameter, although much larger trees (90 feet tall and 2-1/2 feet diameter) are seen especially in good growing sites.

Balsam fir is the smell of winter for many northern winter solstice traditions — Christmas, for example. I remember going with my dad to pick out the perfect tree as a young child.

They offer Fraser and balsam fir, white pine and table-top trees. Hanauer's Tree Farms, W7677 Christmas Tree Lane, Shawano. You'll find about a dozen types of pine, spruce, fir and others.

Topping my list of champions of snowy winters are our fir trees, which have numerous adaptations for wintery conditions. Eastern hemlocks and balsam fir are, literally, built for snow.