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Blunting Effect Boring Carving Certified Source Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Light-Induced Color Change Mortising Moulding Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Strength Properties Substitutes Texture Trade Name Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Weathering		Scientific Name Abies balsamea Trade Name Balsam fir Family Name Pinaceae Common Names Balsam, Balsam fir, Blister fir, Bracted balsam fir, Canadian balsam, Canadian fir, Eastern fir, Fir, Galm of gilead fir, Silver pine, White fir, White spruce Regions of Distribution North America Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, United States Common Uses Balusters, Baskets, Blinds, Boxes and crates, Building construction, Building materials, Casks, Chemical derivatives, Construction, Cooperages, Food containers, Interior construction, Ironing boards, Light construction, Millwork, Mine timbers, Moldings, Packing cases, Pallets, Paneling, Particleboard, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Pulpwood, Shipbuilding, Shutters, Stairworks, Stringers, Veneer, Windows Environmental Profile Abundant/Secure Rare Widespread May be rare in some parts of its range Globally secure Data source is Nature Conservancy Abundant Distribution Overview In Canada, from Newfoundland and Labrador west to northeast Alberta, then south and east to southern Manitoba. In the U.S., the species can be found in Minnesota, northeast Iowa, central Wisconsin, central Michigan, southern Ontario, New York, central Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Maine. This fir is also widely grown in Great Britain. Heartwood Color White Brown Yellow Red Green/grey Orange Tan White to cream Pale brown Yellowish tan Yellow to golden-yellow to orange Greenish to greyish Latewood area of the growth ring may have a lavender tinge. Sapwood Color White Yellow Brown Red Color not distinct from heartwood White to yellow Often contains numerous, small knots Grain Figure Growth rings (figure) Straight Even Weak (figure) Clear growth rings (figure) Straight Weak figure Even Texture Medium Fine Even or uniform Medium Fine to medium Uniform Fine Natural Durability Non-durable Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Resistant to powder post beetles Non durable Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Pinworms (ambrosia beetles) are commonly present Perishable Turns gray, with a silvery sheen after prolonged exposure to exterior conditions Very little natural resistance to attack by decay organisms and other wood destroying insects. Weathering Good Odor Has a taste No odor, generally. May be a slightly salty taste Light-Induced Color Change Darker Kiln Schedules UK=L US=T14C6S/T12C5S - 12-E5 (4/4); T10-E4 (8/4) US Drying Defects Uneven Moisture Content Uneven moisture content Ease of Drying Fairly Easy Rapidly Reconditioning Treatement Easy Tree Size Tree height is 10-20 m Tree height is 20-30 m Bark width is 25-30 mm Tree height is 0-10 m Product Sources Timber coming from Balsam fir is marketed with the spruces (Picea) in the Spruce-Pine-Fir grade. Apart from timber, Balsam fir is also the source of many secondary products. The aromatic foliage is used in Christmas trees, wreaths, and balsam pillows. Canada balsam, an aromatic oleoresin produced from swelling or resin blisters in the bark, is used for mounting specimens for microscopes and for optical cement. Foliage of Balsam fir trees are also fodder for deer and moose in the winter season. Certified Source Certified Source Substitutes Copaia (Jacaranda copaia ) Comments General strength properties = low Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is slight Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Gluing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Very good properties Easy to glue Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Nailing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Poor to Very Poor Results Pre-Boring Recommended Very Good to Excellent Results Nails hold poorly Holds nails well Easy to nail Satisfactory nailing properties Possible if prebored Planing Fairly Easy to Very Easy Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Easy to plane Planes well, to a good finish Good planing properties Resistance to Impregnation Resistant heartwood Resistant sapwood Heartwood is resistant Heartwood is moderately resistant Response to Hand Tools Easy to Work Fairly Difficult to Difficult to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Veneering Qualities Veneers moderately easy Difficult to veneer Veneers easily Suitable for peeling There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Painting Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Satisfactory results Polishing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good staining properties Finish is generally good Varnishing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Very Good to Excellent Results Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = low Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low Work to Maximum Load = very low Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low Max. crushing strength = low Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = very low Bending strength (MOR) = very low Max. crushing strength = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (Impact Strength) = low Toughness (total work) = very low Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Radial = very small Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Max. crushing strength (stiffness) = very low Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. Numerical Data Item Green Dry English Bending Strength 5266 8404 psi Crushing Strength 211 423 psi Density 25 lbs/ft3 Hardness 362 lbs Impact Strength 16 19 inches Maximum Crushing Strength 2495 4721 psi Shearing Strength 962 psi Stiffness 1114 1324 1000 psi Toughness 95 inch-lbs Work to Maximum Load 5 6 inch-lbs/in3 Specific Gravity 0.27 0.23 Weight 25 23 lbs/ft3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % Volumetric Shrinkage 10 % Item Green Dry Metric Bending Strength 370 590 kg/cm2 Crushing Strength 14 29 kg/cm2 Density 400 kg/m3 Hardness 164 kg Impact Strength 40 48 cm Maximum Crushing Strength 175 331 kg/cm2 Shearing Strength 67 kg/cm2 Stiffness 78 93 1000 kg/cm2 Toughness 109 cm-kg Work to Maximum Load 0.35 0.42 cm-kg/cm3 Specific Gravity 0.27 0.23 Weight 400 368 kg/m3 Radial Shrinkage 2 % Tangential Shrinkage 7 % References Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois, E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Hardwoods - Temperate and Tropical. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA Canadian Forestry Service. 1981. Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors. Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. Clifford, N.,1957,Timber Identification for the Builder and Architect,Leonard Hill (Books) LTD. London Dallimore, W. and Jackson, A. Bruce,1966,A Handbook of Coniferae and Ginkgoaceae Fourth Ed. Revised by S.G.,Harrison,Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. London Forest Products Research Laboratory U.K.,1957,A Handbook of Softwoods,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research,HMSO I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timber Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization, Melbourne, Australia. Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12 Lavers, G.M.,1983,The Strength Properties of Timber (3rd ed. revised Moore G.L.,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Report (formerly Bulletin No.50) Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479 Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York. Pardy, A.A.,1951,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S. Rhodesia - Brachystegia,spiciformis,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S. Rhodesia Bulletin,No.1604 Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43 Sonderman, D.L.,1970,American Woods - Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-234 Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72 USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin. USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.