Bark of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Photo of Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

A straight, gray tree trunk with smooth bark, horizontal rows of small marks, and numerous small side branches

This photo shows the bark of a balsam fir (Abies balsamea). Note that the bark is relatively smooth overall, and its only features are horizontally-oriented, including rows of lenticels that hint at cherry bark, and resin-filled blisters that are a key characteristic of this species.

The bark is easily distinguished from the more scaly bark of spruces, or the bark of hemlocks, pines, and cedars that have more vertically-oriented features.

This particular tree was located along the roadside of Interstate 390, in Steuben County, NY, where it cuts through the valley dug out by the Cohocton river; the valley is just over 1,000 feet in elevation. This region is near the southernmost limits of where this species can be found at lower elevations; farther south, it is strictly limited to higher elevations.

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Inclusion in Plant ID / Comparison Guides

This photo is featured in 3 plant ID/comparison guides:

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) vs. Black Spruce (Picea mariana)

Updated November 1st, 2021

Although balsam fir looks very different from black spruce when growing in shade, black spruce is frequently confused with balsam firs growing in open, sunny conditions; the species look most similar when they co-occur on rocky sites near the tree line. Both can have a narrow, conical shape, short, bluish needles, and hairy twigs, especially on new growth. They are easily distinguished by cones or close examination of needles. They also have differences in shape, as well as habitat and successional stage: balsam fir is absent from bogs and poorly-drained sites, where black spruce is common, and balsam fir occupies a later stage in forest succession in areas where both species co-occur.

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collage of Eastern Hemlock and Balsam Fir

Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) vs. Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Updated July 28th, 2020

These species are easily distinguished, but are sometimes confused by people inexperienced in conifer identification, especially when comparing hemlocks to firs growing in shade, as the needle arrangement of such firs is flatter along the twig and superficially looks much like hemlock.

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White Spruce (Picea glauca) vs. Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)

Updated December 29th, 2019

Balsam fir and white spruce are sometimes confused where they overlap; balsam fir grown in sun can have a similar bluish color to its foliage and the needle shape and arrangement can look more similar than when in shade. Both can occupy late stages in forest succession and be found in similar habitats. The two species are easily told apart by a close look at their needles, by crushing and smelling the needles, by cones, and by bark.

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