A generally small to medium-sized symmetrical tree found in the mountains and other cool, moist sites of northern New England, the northern Great Lakes, and Eastern Canada west to Alberta. Needles are 3/4", 2-ranked or clestered toward the upper surface. Bracts are shorter than cone scales and cones are 3 to 4". Resin blisters contain "Canada Balsam", used as a glue in making compound lens and permanent microscope slides. It is also a common Christmas tree.