Ken, this cultivar isn't as blue as it's name says.
It's colour is more like a sea blue.

There's no history to find about this one but I guess it was found near the Mahoosuc Rangely Lakes.

From where did you obtain your specimen?

Looks species type, possibly with a superior colour Ken ?

Well, Kenn, what's your story behind this balsem fir cultivar?

Yes would be interested to find out more about this one.

well .. it took some time.. but here is what i got back on this plant:

From: William R. Sayward
> Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2012 10:39 AM
> To:
> Subject: RE: web site request for info
> >
> Hi Paul,
> > This seed was collected from a stand of much bluer balsam fir that
> had very good needle retention, going back 12 to 15 years if I recall
> correctly. The needles were full ranked covering all or most all the
> branch,
> and the branch angle was very good for Christmas trees At that time the
> land was owned by my employer when I was working in Maine. It has changed
> hands since then and I am not sure who owns it. I have heard indirectly,
> that the US military owns it and its access is restricted
> > I have planted several rows in my seed orchard here in Minnesota,
> but they have not matured to producing cones. They also seem a little
> slower growing here in Minnesota.
> > I gather that some of the original trees had scion collected from
> them and have been included in the Maine Christmas Tree Growers seed
> orchards. I have not been in contact with them for years - so I cannot
> give
> you any newer information.
> > I hope this helps. If you have any questions please drop me an
> e-mail and I will try to answer them.
> > Thanks for the inquiry,
> > Bill

Ken, thanks for this info.
So it seems that your specimen was propagated as a scion taken from a tree out of a Christmas tree orchard with a bluer needle colour.
It looks like you've a one of a kind specimen, because I never came across another one with this cultivar name...

Ha! Bill Sayward is owner of Itasca Greenhouse where I frequently get my seedlings, and always get my hybrid larch. Good guy-he did work in Maine before moving to Minnesota.

Nice balsam btw.

+oM

No Edwin, it's a seedling not a grafted plant.
It's seedling selection with more bluish color and compact form.

Clement.

Clement, my first thought was also that Ken's specimen is an original seedling.
But after reading the story several times I found out that scions were taken from the original trees.
I guess Ken's specimen arose from one of these scions.
Normaly seen a single seedling will not get a cultivar name, cultivated one's does...

Ken, what's right here?

i do NOT know ... at this point in time ...

one thing for sure.. i am not getting on my belly and going to see if there is any evidence of a graft.. 12 years later.. that would have to wait for warmer weather ...

no camera back then ... as my pix do not date back that far ...

but i am mystified that i should have known a seedling from a graft.. even way back then ...

i will have to ask the seller if he has any recollection ... which will take time.. so be patient ..

i bought a few species type plants from him over the years ... but they were sold under the species name ... no cultivar status ... so i do not know why he would have sold this one.. this way ... though there is always the possibility.. in my newbie-ness i created the name that way ...

if i only knew then.. what i know know .....

ken

Itasca does offer many "seed strains" among which are some touted as having good form for Christmas trees. Maybe that's what this is-one of those types. Nice tree in any case.

BTW, the little Xmas tree that my wife picked up turns out to be a Canaan fir. This is exactly the type I plan to grow a number of up at the land-didn't get it going this year-for future family Christmas tree use. Very nice plant.

+oM

Damn things sure do grow don't they? I like the new growth color against the older darker foliage.

That's a gorgeous balsam. I'm happy with any tree though, species or cultivar.

+oM, Canaan's rock! They get pushing 18" on my larger ones after being in the ground 4-years.
When I planted them, they were in the 18" range w/ lots of roots.

Dax

Thanks for the encouraging words, Dax! I'm sure I'll like them. Where'd you get those nice'uns?

+oM

+oM I got em from Treehaven Evergreen Nursery. I think last year may have been his last year.

Dax

Dax, are you mentioning here the canaan you named 'Midnight Steel'?

Here is my seedling selection:
Abies x phanerolepis 'Midnight Steel'...............(overcast sun)
{{gwi:592190}}

Abies x phanerolepis 'Midnight Steel'............(with sun)

This one put on an 18" leader this year.

Dax

and the results are in ...

i said:

i dont recall the plant at the stage from your hands to mine.. do you have any recollection if it was a graft ... and hence the use of 'Rangely blue' was proper ... or just a seedling???

i just dont recall if you provided it as a named cultivar.. or somehow i turned it into one .. your source's discussion.. talks of both seedlings ... selection of seedlings.. and scion of selected seedlings ... lol.. man he covered the spectrum.. lol ...

and he replied:

I bought 25 SEEDLINGS from Itasca.

There, we can put that to rest...

===>>> so.. i guess its time to change the old database ... what shall it be???

Abies balsamea forma 'Rangely Blue'??? .. thats a WAG on my part .. lol ..

secondarily ... is it worthy of naming ...

and thirdly.. do i have the right to name it??? ... i am sure i CAN name it.. as it is one of a kind .. i guess what i am asking is .. is it polite to do so ... [polite is not quite the word i am looking for.. but i am struggling with the language this morning] ...

wonder what happened to the rest of them ????

ken

Using the "wayback" archive mentioned in a prior thread, I found the listing from Itasca Greenhouse in 2001. Listed as an improved Balsam Fir

see the link

Keith

Here is a link that might be useful: itasca greenhouse november 2001

You have to ask him if he grafted it, Ken, and if he did was it given a name. He's the proprietor so to speak of. He gets first dibs on any naming. Then say if no name has been given, would (he) like to name it or, then say you'll name it if not. You have to give him all options. You should also ask him if any of his other blue balsams are better. Send him a link so he can evaluate.

Dax

dax.. he said "I bought 25 SEEDLINGS"

but i also asked.. is it worth naming???

ken

I like that one you've got, Dax. My mental gears are not quite synching up this morning either though: Is that something you're developing as a cultivar? What'd I miss?

+oM

It's just a seedling I bought for spring 08'. It was Oregon grown, sold to Treehaven, and then re-sold to me. Since I've found only (1) cultivated x phanerolepis with a blue color being offered, and it's very different from mine, I've already decided to begin grafting it. In case you or anyone else is wondering, Whistling Gardens has a x phanerolepis selection.

Ken, I guess I sorted thru your info as best as I could. I've re-read several times and I don't know which is you talking or which is him talking. I also don't know what "WAG" means. All I do know is that I do what I wrote until I have in my mind every detail crystal clear. Makes sense right?

Best Regards,

Dax

Thanks Dax. Me understand now! I'll check out that WG offering. Please note, that's not a WAG offering!

+oM

Dax, what's the other blue one Darren has in his collection?

Btw, WAG means Wife And Girlfriends... ;0)

joy.. you are a card ... a 'joker'

WAG = Wild A$$ Guess ...

so.. anyone.. what's the proper nomenclature for a seedlings strain???

as noted above: Abies balsamea forma 'Rangely Blue'??? .. thats a WAG on my part

ken

Yeah, I like your tree's form + color Ken. With seed strains, they pretty well call them as such:
Abies balsamea Cook Strain or
Picea pungens Blue Mountain etc etc etc

They're basically a cultivar-looking-name without the apostrophes. So, you're deal is to name it something completely new!

===

Edwin,

Darren's/Whistling Gardens: Abies x phanerolepis 'Blue Form'

Abies x phanerolepis 'Blue Form'

Abies x phanerolepis 'Blue Form'

Abies x phanerolepis 'Blue Form'

Dax

Thanks for the pics, Dax.
I bet these were not taken at Darren's.
These were taken a couple of hours drive here from my nursery in The Netherlands... :0)

That's right slick.

Dax