Siberian Larch vs Balsam Fir - TreeTime.ca

Siberian Larch vs Balsam Fir

Abies balsamea

Larix sibirica

Balsam Fir
Siberian Larch

Balsam Fir - best known as a "Christmas tree" - doesn't just look great in living rooms; it's a terrific tree for your yard too!

This fir grows tall and narrow. Balsam Fir is cold hardy, shade tolerant, and will thrive in most soil types and moisture levels.

Siberian Larch is a large, cold hardy conifer. Like the Tamarack, its needles turn golden yellow and drop in the fall, and it is able to handle saturated soils.

If you are looking for a long-lived tree for your large property or shelterbelt with quite wet soil, this is the tree for you.

This variety is often used on the south side of a shelterbelt to let sunlight in during the winter and to provide protection or shading during the summer.

Balsam Fir Quick Facts

Siberian Larch Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.29 - SAVE UP TO 54%
Lowest Price: $2.49 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 1b
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: Soft needles
Fall colour: yellow needles, loses needles
Cones: small cones (up to 5 cm long)
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: balm of gilead, blister fir, canada balsam, eastern fir, fir-balsam
Other Names: altaian larch, russian larch