What’s Your Favourite Colour?
I’m evergreen with a dash of white under each needle. Well, except in December when I’m decorated in ridiculous shades of gold, silver and red. Just kidding! I love to dress up for the holidays.
Can you tell us more about your claim to fame?
I’m one of the most popular Christmas trees and for good reason. I’ve got that perfect holiday scent—all natural!—and try hard to keep my needles off your living-room floor. Most Christmas trees are grown on farms and Lunenburg County is known as the Balsam fir Christmas tree capital of the world.
Do you have a nickname?
My Latin name is Abies balsamea. Abies means “rising one.” I can grow very tall in the wild. Of course, I have many names in Indigenous languages since I’ve been here for thousands of years. In Mi’kmaq, I am stoqon.
BFFs?
One of my pals is the snowshoe hare. My boughs provide a perfect place to hide from predators, shelter in bad weather, and have a bite to eat. Yes, hares like to nibble the bark, needles and buds of Balsam fir.
What’s something few people know about you?
If you look closely at my bark, you’ll find small bumps filled with “pitch” or resin. This sticky substance has antibacterial properties and has been used in traditional medicine for ages. It can also be used as fire-starter! Just be careful when taking resin from my bark because it also protects me from disease.
If asked to compete in a talent show, what would you do?
Oh my goodness! Balsam fir is one of the most cold-hardy trees known. Years ago, scientists tested this by dipping me in liquid nitrogen. Guess what? I kept growing. Now that’s a talent I don’t want to practice!
One wish?
When choosing a holiday tree, look for farms with sustainable growing practices. If you’re not sure, ask. Recycle me after the holidays. I can be used as mulch and wildlife habitat. Most of all, love me year-round! I’m just as beautiful in summer as in winter.(Do I get more than one wish?)
