Balsam fir

The balsam fir produces flowers in the form of cones. These upright, compact cones are purplish, rich in resin, and measure between 6 and 10 centimetres in length. Their shape ranges from oblong to elongated—longer than they are wide.

Fertilized in spring, the cones mature by fall of the same year—their first flowering season. The seeds are small and range in colour from purple to brown. They are known as winged seeds—each one surrounded by a thin membrane that allows it to travel on the wind. Balsam firs produce large numbers of seeds every two to four years.

The species also reproduces through layering. When a lower branch comes into contact with moist soil, it can take root and grow into a new tree.