In my eternal quest to find that fully developed Fraser/Balsam Fir I found these a few miles from my house. I believe they are Balsams about 20-30 years of age. I was always under the impression Balsam type Firs would grow/age in a sickly appearance. However, these look fantasic. What do you guys think? surrounded by Douglas Firs: http://www.fototime.com/87ABE0DCDD16012/standard.jpg http://www.fototime.com/12AE9EB9A987996/standard.jpg http://www.fototime.com/C200386ED64191D/standard.jpg
An obvious candidate, one I suspected before even clicking on the links. But the pictures I get don't show enough detail to be certain.
You guys are right. It is a Grand Fir. The needles looked so much smaller than other Grand Fir I've seen near Green River CC. Sorry for the bad pics. The search goes on. :)
Balsam and Fraser firs look more like subalpine fir, esp. around here, where older specimens of all are often declining and deformed. Look for even shorter needles, a see-through crown. Maybe try looking at specimens in nurseries or public collections first. Have you been to the Seattle arboretum and looked at them there?
I haven't been to the Seattle arboretum since the 90s. Perhaps soon I'll get down there and have a look. I did find a ~10 year old Fraser in Des Monies which looks quite healthy. On a side note: http://forestry.about.com/library/tree/blgrandf.htm has a list of other nicks for the Grand Fir, one being Balsam Fir. It's 1/2 way down the page under quick stats. Thanks, -wt
