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Abies fraseri She balsam Evergreen tree (1 Page of 5) The Abies fraseri plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - Virginia and West Virginia to North Carolina and Tennessee. It is a member of the Pinaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as She balsam. Some home gardeners know the variety as Pinus fraseri. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Abies fraseri Common Name: She balsam Family: Pinaceae Author: (Pursh.)Poir. Known Hazards: The oleoresin (Canada balsam) can cause dermatitis in some people[222]. Mature Height: 15 Mature Width: Habitat: Mountains, often forming forests of considerable extent at elevations of 1200 - 1800 metres[11, 82].
General Uses: Wood - light, soft, coarse grained, not strong[82]. It is occasionally manufactured into lumber[82].
The following uses are for the closely related A. balsamea. Since this species also has blisters of resin in the bark[81], the uses quite probably also apply here.
The balsamic resin 'Balm of Gilead'[11, 46] or 'Canada Balsam' according to other reports[64, 226] is obtained during July and August from blisters in the bark or by cutting pockets in the wood[222].. Another report says that it is a turpentine[171]. It is used medicinally, also in the manufacture of glues, candles and as a cement for microscopes and slides - it has a high refractive index resembling that of glass[11, 46, 64, 82, 222, 226]. The average yield is about 8 - 10 oz per tree[171]. The resin is also a fixative in soaps and perfumery[171].
Leaves are a stuffing material for pillows etc - they impart a pleasant scent[46, 61] and also repell moths[169]
For further Abies fraseri gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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