Working through the conifers, we come to the Fir. Only one species of indigenous fir (Balsam Fir) is listed for Saskatchewan:
Order: Pinales – Family: Pinaceae – Genus: Abies – Species: A. balsamea
Growth Patterns:
In our climate the balsam fir can be expected to grow to between 45-75 feet. The spread will be between 20-25 feet when mature. Balsam grows at a slow rate, achieving less than 12 inches of growth per year.
Like the spruce and pine trees, fir belongs to the same family, Pinaceae. They are conifers, which means that they are gymnosperms, and were some of the first trees to appear on the planet. Unlike angiosperms, they do not flower, and their seeds are not protected by a fruit. Gymnosperm seeds are naked and are found in cones, which are a series of scales, each holding a seed.
Additional differences between conifers and deciduous trees can be found in the foliage. Deciduous trees have broad leaves that fall every autumn. The leaves of conifers are usually short and needle like. Depending on the type of conifer needles are shed at different rates.
Traits specific to the fir: they are cone shaped, with a wide base tapering to a narrow crown. The fir has soft flat needles with white stripes on the underside. Needles are attached directly to the branch, are short and curve upwards. Cones are greyish-brown, and also curve upwards. The balsam fir can be found in urban and rural areas. It is relatively tall, growing to 60-70 feet, and are considered a narrow tree tapering to a fine point. It is worth noting that balsam fir may not be able to reestablish after a fire because it loses all its seeds every year, unlike other conifers that retain cones from year to year.
Reference Images:
https://arboretum.uoguelph.ca/thingstosee/trees/balsamfir
Sources:
https://patterson-arboretum.usask.ca/featured%20lists/saskatchewan-native-plants.php
https://www.ecofriendlysask.ca/2021/01/conifers-of-western-canada.html
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