{"product_id":"abies-balsamea","title":"Abies balsamea (Fr: Sapin baumier | En: Balsam fir)","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"226\" data-end=\"246\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"230\" data-end=\"244\"\u003eBalsam Fir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"352\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"247\" data-end=\"263\"\u003eAbies balsamea\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"266\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"266\" data-end=\"287\"\u003eAlternative names\u003c\/strong\u003e: Balsam of Canada, Canada Balsam Fir\u003cbr data-start=\"324\" data-end=\"327\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"327\" data-end=\"337\"\u003eFrench\u003c\/strong\u003e: Sapin baumier\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"354\" data-end=\"628\" class=\"\"\u003eBalsam Fir is best known as the \u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"412\"\u003eclassic Christmas tree\u003c\/strong\u003e, prized for its dense, aromatic foliage, excellent needle retention, and symmetrical shape. Its soft, fragrant needles and compact form have made it the most popular holiday tree in Canada and much of North America.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"999\" class=\"\"\u003eThat \u003cstrong data-start=\"635\" data-end=\"654\"\u003esignature scent\u003c\/strong\u003e comes from the “balsam,” or \u003cstrong data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"696\"\u003eoleoresin\u003c\/strong\u003e, found in blisters on the bark. This aromatic resin has many traditional and industrial uses. In fact, \u003cem data-start=\"800\" data-end=\"815\"\u003eCanada balsam\u003c\/em\u003e, a refined product from this resin, was historically used in \u003cstrong data-start=\"877\" data-end=\"902\"\u003emicroscopy and optics\u003c\/strong\u003e as a transparent mounting medium and lens adhesive due to its clarity and refractive properties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1001\" data-end=\"1425\" class=\"\"\u003eThe term \u003cem data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1018\"\u003ebalsam\u003c\/em\u003e traces its roots to Semitic languages like Arabic and Hebrew, meaning “spice” or “perfume,” and was originally used to describe rare perfumed resins like the \u003cem data-start=\"1177\" data-end=\"1193\"\u003eBalm of Gilead\u003c\/em\u003e from \u003cem data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1223\"\u003eCommiphora gileadensis\u003c\/em\u003e. Over time, the term expanded to include many aromatic tree resins, such as frankincense and myrrh. (\u003cem data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1335\"\u003eBalsamic\u003c\/em\u003e vinegar, by contrast, contains no balsam—it was named for its supposed curative effects.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1427\" data-end=\"1580\" class=\"\"\u003eIn the Ottawa Valley, balsam is also produced by Balsam Poplar and certain willows, making Balsam Fir part of a broader family of aromatic native plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1979\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1607\"\u003eLandscaping \u0026amp; habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1607\" data-end=\"1610\"\u003eDespite its cultural significance, Balsam Fir remains \u003cstrong data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1692\"\u003eunderused in landscaping\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is shade tolerant, grows in a range of soils, and prefers cool, moist conditions. Its \u003cstrong data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1806\"\u003eshallow root system\u003c\/strong\u003e makes it more susceptible to windthrow when planted alone—but this risk can be mitigated by planting it in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1914\" data-end=\"1940\"\u003egroups or mixed stands\u003c\/strong\u003e, which also enhances ecological value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"La Pépinière pour la Terre","offers":[{"title":"#1 Pot – ~30–60 cm","offer_id":48011808899316,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#3 Pot – ~60–100 cm","offer_id":48011808932084,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#5 Pot – ~100–150 cm","offer_id":48011808964852,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"#7 Pot – ~150–200 cm","offer_id":48011808997620,"sku":null,"price":165.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"30mm Caliper","offer_id":48011809030388,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50mm Caliper","offer_id":48011809063156,"sku":null,"price":500.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/0495\/6404\/products\/cones.jpg?v=1659387589","url":"https:\/\/nurseryfortheearth.com\/en\/products\/abies-balsamea","provider":"Nursery for the Earth","version":"1.0","type":"link"}