Canaan Fir
From: $1.10
Canaan fir (abies intermedii), also known as West Virginia balsam fir or She balsam, is a species of evergreen tree that is native to the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States. It is closely related to the Balsam fir and is often used as a Christmas tree due to its attractive appearance and pleasant fragrance.
| AGE: | QTY: 5000+ | QTY: 500-4999 | QTY: 100-499 |
| 3-0 6″-12″ | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT | SOLD OUT |
| 3-1 8″-12″ | 0.88 | 0.90 | 1.80 |
| P-1 6″-12″ | 0.98 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| P-1-1 8″-15″ | 1.25 | 1.50 | 3.00 |
| P-2 10″-18″ | 1.50 | 1.75 | 3.50 |
Canaan Fir — Abies intermedii
Overview: Appalachian form of balsam fir noted for later budbreak, good needle retention, and better heat/site tolerance than typical balsam. Dense, formal, pyramidal evergreen with soft, fragrant needles—great specimen and widely grown for Christmas trees.
Size & habit: 40–60′ tall × 18–25′ wide at maturity; strong central leader with layered, horizontal branches; holds lower limbs well in open sites.
Growth rate: Slow–moderate (~6–12″ per year once established).
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–6 (to 7 in cool-summer sites).
Light: Full sun to light shade (best density/color in full sun).
Soil & water: Prefers cool, evenly moist, acidic, well-drained soils. More adaptable than standard balsam—tolerates heavier or seasonally moist ground—but avoid chronic waterlogging and hot, droughty exposures. Mulch 2–3″ (keep off trunk).
Foliage, cones & bark:
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Needles ¾–1¼”, soft, flattened; dark green above with silvery bands beneath; pleasantly aromatic.
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Upright cones 2–4″, purple-brown, usually with showy protruding bracts; cones disintegrate on the tree.
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Bark smooth gray with resin blisters, becoming scaly with age.
Advantages vs. typical balsam fir:
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Later budbreak → reduced late-spring frost damage.
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Better tolerance of variable/“imperfect” sites and summer warmth.
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Stronger needle retention after cutting (holiday trees).
Tolerance / concerns:
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Improved heat/site tolerance vs. balsam, but still sensitive to urban pollution and road salt.
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Pests/disease: Balsam woolly adelgid (region-dependent), spruce budworm cycles, spider mites in hot/dry spells; root rots on poorly drained sites.
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Deer: Usually less palatable than arborvitae; protect young trees.
Pruning: Minimal—maintain a single leader; light corrective cuts just after spring flush. Do not shear (outside Christmas-tree culture).
Landscape uses: Four-season specimen, cool-climate screens/windbreaks, “northwoods” plantings, and Christmas-tree plantations.
Spacing (on-center):
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Specimens/screens: 15–20 ft
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Windbreak rows: 12–16 ft
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Christmas-tree plantations: 6–8 ft
Planting tip: Set the root flare at or slightly above grade; water deeply and regularly for the first 2–3 seasons; provide air movement and avoid salt exposure. In hotter, drier parts of the Midwest, consider Concolor (White) Fir — Abies concolor for maximum heat/drought tolerance.
