Watering balsam fir

Content:

• Balsam fir origin
• Balsam fir care and location
• Pruning balsam fir
• Fertilizing balsam fir
• Watering balsam fir

Balsam fir origin

The balsam fir (Abies balsamea) is an evergreen coniferous tree species in the pine family (Pinaceae) and is native to North America. Its native range extends from eastern Canada to the northeastern United States. It prefers cool, moist areas with nutrient-rich or humus-rich soils.

In Europe, the balsam fir is planted as an ornamental tree and occasionally used in forestry. It is also a popular Christmas tree. The balsam fir is known for its pleasant, balsamic fragrance and uniform growth habit.

Balsam fir care and location

The ideal location for the balsam fir is sheltered from the wind, cool, and shady to partially shady. The balsam fir prefers evenly moist, humus-rich, and well-aerated soils with a slightly acidic pH. It does not tolerate heat, drought, or waterlogging well. In a suitable location, the balsam fir is easy to care for and requires little maintenance—apart from watering.

Pruning balsam fir

Pruning is usually not necessary for the balsam fir, as it naturally grows very symmetrically. If you Cutting measures If you want to do this, we recommend the period between late winter and early spring. During this time, you can, for example, remove damaged or dead branches. Keep in mind that firs generally have a limited ability to regenerate. Avoid heavy pruning at all costs.

Fertilizing balsam fir

Balsam firs generally do not require any fertilizers in humus-rich, nutrient-rich soils. fertilizationIn poor soils, targeted fertilization can help improve the nutrient supply. Even if you keep your balsam fir in a pot, we recommend fertilizing occasionally. If you do want to fertilize, we recommend using organic materials and avoiding calcareous fertilizers, as the balsam fir prefers acidic soils. A good way to fertilize is with mulch layer, as it simultaneously retains moisture in the soil and improves soil structure.

Watering balsam fir

The balsam fir has a medium to high water requirement. It relies on additional irrigation, especially during the first five years and during prolonged droughts.

For the balsam fir we give the following watering recommendation:

• Young trees: Water regularly during the first 3–5 years, especially during extended dry periods. Deep watering once or twice a week is ideal. 
• Older trees: Provide supportive watering during dry periods – especially in hot and sunny locations. 
• If you are not using tree watering bags, we recommend watering the balsam fir early in the morning or late in the evening if possible. 

And here are the basic recommendations for the Watering trees:

• To ensure that the water can actually reach the root area, a lot of water should be given at once, ideally 75 – 100 liters of water in one watering. 
• The water should be released slowly so the soil can absorb it optimally. If water is applied too quickly, it will run off the surface, as dry soil can only absorb a small amount of water. Therefore, we recommend using tree watering bags. 
• The tree bath watering bagsThey release water drop by drop through small holes into the soil over a period of several hours. This allows for good moisture absorption in the root zone of the tree, where the roots can easily absorb the water. 
• The bag is placed around the tree trunk like a jacket and zipped shut. It is then filled with water, releasing the water drop by drop over the next few hours.