According to Dr. Craig R. McKinley of the National Christmas Tree Association , the Fraser and balsam fir trees are so like that some research worker suggest they may have had the same origins . Distinguishing the Tree base on show is difficult . The primary difference lies in where the trees prefer to grow .
Range
geographical range is the primary distinction between the Fraser and balsam fir tree . The ranges of the trees do not overlap . Fraser fir are witness in Virginia , North Carolina and Tennessee . Balsam fir are rule in the Frederick North , from northern Alberta and Labrador to southerly Pennsylvania . The balsam true fir has the most extensive chain of any fir Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the U.S. Lending credence to the idea that they evolved from the same metal money , an intermediary metal money can be come up in the geographic area between the two ranges .
Growing Conditions
Both coinage favor slightly acid ground and can brook sandy soils , although Fraser firs are more tolerant of rocky soil while balsam firs prefer loamy soils . Both mintage will grow in the spook . Given the geographic ranges of the two metal money , it comes as no surprisal the balsam prefers cooler conditions . The chief difference with respectfulness to preferent growing term concerns aggrandisement . Like geographical ambit , there is almost no convergence in the altitude at which these species prefer to originate . Fraser fir trees grow at elevations higher than 4,500 feet , while balsam firs are launch at ocean level and seldom grow higher than 5,000 foot .
Appearance
Because the tree are touch , Fraser and balsam true fir appear similar . The Fraser fir run to be the larger tree , growing 80 feet marvellous , while the balsam is circumscribe to 40 to 60 substructure . The branch are angled upward on both trees . Needles arise from a broad circular root , are dark green and have a blunt , flatten physical body . The undersides of the needle on both Tree be given to be lighter and are stigmatise with two pale striation . These ring mark the localization of the stomata , small pores that allow the tree to interchange gases . Both Tree produce distinctive resin " blister " on their bark . The distance of the needles differs . Fraser firs have needles 1/2 to 1 in long , while the needle of balsam firs may be 1 1/2 inches foresighted or more .
Shape of Cones
The best elbow room to tell the divergence between Fraser and balsam true fir is by looking at the cone . Frasers have bract – structures that offer over the cone scales – that are longer than the cone scale and are curved . The bract on balsam firs are shorter than the cone scales . Both tree create 2- to 3 - in cones annually , and cones mature and lessen aside in the autumn .
Uses
The wood of both trees is soft and brickle and is used as pulpwood , pine tree pane and light frame construction . The fragrant needles of both trees are used for stuff pine tree pillow . The resin of balsam trees also is used as a confection , in making microscope slides and , historically , as a balm for handle wounds . Both Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree are popular Christmas trees . The balsam takes nine to 10 years to grow to a worthy sizing for a Christmas Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , while the Fraser may get hold of this height in as few as seven years .
