Balsam fir

From CAMEO
Jump to navigation Jump to search
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 Canada balsam.

Synonyms and Related Terms

"Abies balsamea; bálsamo 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


Authority

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

Retrieved from "https://cameo.mfa.org/index.php?title=Balsam_fir&oldid=42997"