Featured Plant of the Month

Canaan Fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis)

Canaan Firs are beautiful evergreen trees that are closely related to the Balsam Fir. Their popularity as a cut Christmas tree has grown over the years because it is one of the longest lasting cut trees, remaining fresh from Thanksgiving through New Years! The shape of the Canaan Fir is beautiful, it has strong branches for hanging ornaments, an exceptional fragrance, and excellent needle retention.

Soft and Fragrant

Canaan Fir has short, soft needles that are a lustrous dark green on the upper surface and a lovely silvery blue on the underside. Some of these fir trees even have a beautiful bluish tint to the needles. The wonderful fragrance of the Canaan Fir rivals that of its cousin the Balsam Fir and it will fill the house with the delightful "scent of Christmas".

History of Canaan Fir

The Canaan Fir is considered to be a variety of Balsam Fir. During the Pleistocene glaciation, it is thought that many of the northern conifer species, including the Balsam Fir, migrated south along the Appalachian Mountain range until there was a continuous fir population from Canada south to North Carolina. As the climate warmed, the Balsam Fir retreated to the north and southern species replaced the fir trees at lower elevations in the south. However, isolated pockets of firs remained at higher elevations in the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. These firs, now considered varieties of Balsam Fir, are Fraser Fir (Abies balsamea var. fraseri) found in the mountains of North Carolina and Virginia and Canaan Fir native to the higher elevations of West Virginia and Virginia. 

Cut Your Own - Fresh!

Fir trees have long been a favorite for cut Christmas trees; Balsam Fir, Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Fraser Fir, and now Canaan Fir. I prefer them for their soft needles, strong branches, and wonderful fragrance. But I like to cut my own and it was difficult to find a place in the Shenandoah Valley that grew fir trees. "We're too low here", Andre said, "fir trees don't grow well in the Valley."

Well apparently Canaan Firs will grow fine at our elevation! Right around the corner from Viette's in Fishersville, Greg Tolbert  has been growing them on his farm (suitably named Fragrant Firs) since the spring of 1999 and they are BEAUTIFUL! Greg has taken Andre's advice to heart and does not over-shear his trees so that they have a beautiful natural shape with plenty of room to hang ornaments and lights. Andre has gotten both of his trees here this year and I think they are the prettiest he's had in a while. As far as I'm concerned, the perfect Christmas tree can be found right here in the Valley after all!

Visit Greg and his family at Fragrant Firs (off Sangers Lane in Fishersville) and choose a beautiful, FRESH, long-lasting Canaan Fir for your Christmas tree.

Visit their website for information, hours, and directions to the farm.