How Does the Balsam Fir Tree Reproduce?
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Introduction
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Balsam fir is most commonly known as a Christmas tree. It is grown on farms across the United States and is native to Canada and the upper Great Lakes region of the United States. It is used for home finish wood, crates, Christmas trees and to make pulp for paper and other wood products. The Balsam tree contains both female and male parts on each tree and relies heavily on the wind to reproduce.
Growing to Maturity
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A balsam fir must grow to maturity before it is able to reproduce. A balsam tree will grow up to 15 feet over the 15 years it takes a balsam fir to begin producing seeds. At this time it will begin producing seeds every year. Once it has reached around 30 years of age the balsam fir will be capable of fertilizing the seeds and reproducing new balsam fir trees. This is considered the age that the balsam has reached full maturity.
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Relying On the Wind
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The balsam fir tree will produce flowers, which are the reproductive parts of the tree. Wind will blow pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers. This will allow the pollinated flowers to turn into cones. The cones will release most of their seeds into the air in the fall, yet seeds may continue to be released throughout winter and spring. These new seeds will fall into the soil and grow into new balsam trees.
Natural Layering
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The balsam fir can also reproduce by natural layering. Natural layering occurs when a branch is hanging low enough to the ground that it begins growing into the soil. The end of the branch will then begin to grow back out from the ground and will eventually break away from the host tree and begin a new tree.
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