She Balsam
Abies fraserifam. Pinaceae
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Pl. D860 — Abies fraseri
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IOverview
Overview
She Balsam (Abies fraseri) is a tree native to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. A member of the Pinaceae family, it thrives in habitats where it receives full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils with a pH between 3.5 and 5.5. Known for its edible inner bark and shoots, this tree can grow up to 15 meters tall and is hardy in zones 4-7. Its distinctive features include its adaptability to various soil types—light, medium, or heavy—and its ability to provide sustenance through parts of the plant that are safe for human consumption.
Quick answers
What is She Balsam?
She Balsam (Abies fraseri) is a tree native to the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. A member of the Pinaceae family, it thrives in habitats where it receives full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils with a pH between 3.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
She Balsam thrives in partial sun to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils with a pH between 3.5 and 5.5. It is hardy in zones 4-7 and can grow up to 15 meters tall. For cultivation, use light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil types. Propagate via seeds or cuttings from the inner bark and shoots. Ensure the plant receives adequate moisture while avoiding overly dry conditions.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-7
Habit
Tree
Mature size
15.0 m tall
Soil pH
3.5–5.5
For first-time growers
How to grow She Balsam for the first time
7steps
Start with planting She Balsam in a suitable location and basic care to ensure its healthy growth.
- 1
What you'll need
She Balsam saplings, garden gloves, spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant She Balsam in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH between 3.5–5.5, and prepare a planting hole twice as wide but not deeper than the root ball.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant She Balsam saplings directly into the garden bed; avoid disturbing roots during transplantation.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist, and monitor for any signs of stress or pests.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to full shade, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune She Balsam in late winter before new growth begins; harvest inner bark for culinary use only if needed.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Inner barkShoots
Edible uses: Condiment, Gum, Tea
Other uses:AdhesiveGumMicroscopeResintextilesLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
3 native · 1 introduced
Distribution
3 native · 1 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 3 native· 1 introduced
Europe1 region
introduced (1)United Kingdom
Broader regions
native:Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina
XSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Pinaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Pinaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · d86047dd-43d5-411a-9426-47dc4a894a20
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