Balsam fir

Balsam Fir

Description

An evergreen coniferous tree, Abies balsamea, native to the northeastern United States and Canada. The fragrant, light yellowish brown balsam fir timber has a coarse but even grain. The wood is brittle and not very durable. It is used for packing boxes and paper pulp. Balsam fir produce a viscous oleoresin called balsam Canada balsam.

Synonyms and Related Terms

"Abies balsamea; blsamo de abeto (Esp.); fir balsam; pine fir; balm of Gilead fir "

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Additional Information

H. A. Alden, A.C. Wiedenhoeft, "Qualified Determination of Provenance of Wood of the Firs (Abies spp. Mill) Using Microscopic Features of Rays: An Aid to Conservators, Curators and Art Historians" AIC Poster, reprinted online at http://www.si.edu/scmre/abies.html

Additional Images

• 30 Balsam Fir 100x Tan.jpg

  Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

• 30 Balsam Fir 100x Tran.jpg

  Balsam fir (Abies balsamea)

Authority

• G.S.Brady, G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 83

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Kurt Wehlte, Kurt Wehlte, The Materials and Techniques of Painting, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1975