What is Balsam?
Balsam is a plant compound which is noted for its strong odor. Several plants produce substances which are classified as balsam, and an assortment of other plants have a balsam-like odor which leads gardeners to refer to them as balsams. The “true balsams” produce a semisolid material which is not soluble in water. Some common examples of balsam-bearing trees include balsam pines, balsam firs, balsam poplars, and Balsam of Peru. Some people like to grow balsam-bearing trees and plants as ornamentals and scent enhancers for the garden.
Balsam is a plant compound which is noted for its strong odor. Several plants produce substances which are classified as balsam, and an assortment of other plants have a balsam-like odor which leads gardeners to refer to them as balsams. The “true balsams” produce a semisolid material which is not soluble in water. Some common examples of balsam-bearing trees include balsam pines, balsam firs, balsam poplars, and Balsam of Peru. Some people like to grow balsam-bearing trees and plants as ornamentals and scent enhancers for the garden. The strong and distinctive scent of balsam is due to the presence of benzoic and cinnamic acid or esters of these acids. Depending on the tree, the tree may freely weep balsam, allowing people to collect beaded balsam sap, or the tree may need to be cut to release the material, which is usually oily or gummy when it flows from the tree. Over time, the balsam hardens, making it easier to handle and transport, and it may be yellowish to brown in color.
