30 



of the twigs. The cones stand erect and the scales 

 of the cones are shed at the same time as ^ the seed, 

 leaving the stem standing bare. The bark is smooth 



&0/som fir 0ouy/os //> 



but w th the characteristic blisters filled with balsam. 

 The eastern balsam fir is found from the Atlantic ^ to 

 the Yukon. There are two balsam firs in British 

 Columbia growing generally at low levels the 

 lowland fir, with yellowish-greenish cones, and the 

 amabilis fir, with purple cones. The alpine fir is 

 found at higher elevations and has purple cones. 

 Balsam fir timber is used as lumber and pulpwood. 

 The Douglas fir, found only in British Columbia 

 and Alberta, resembles the balsam fir in the earlier 

 years of its growth, but later the bark becomes very 

 thick and deeply furrowed. The cones hang down 

 instead of standing erect as in the balsam fir and 

 have conspicuous three-pointed bracts attached to 

 the back of the cone scales. The trees grow to 

 enormous size and the timber is one of the most 

 valuable in Canada. It is used for heavy frame- 

 work, for Buildings and cars, for bridges, docks, 

 interior finish, paving blocks, wooden pipes, railway 

 ties and many other purposes. 



