Balsam Fir - Ecology

Ecology

On mountain tops, stands of Balsam Fir occasionally develop fir waves. Often found in association with Black Spruce, White Spruce and trembling aspen.

This tree provides food for moose, American red squirrels, crossbills and chickadees, as well as shelter for moose, snowshoe hares, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse and other small mammals and songbirds. The needles are eaten by some lepidopteran caterpillars, for example the Io moth (Automeris io).