Balsam fir trees in New Brunswick are the latest victim of last summer’s record-breaking drought, according to a forestry researcher.
The species as a whole is ‘doomed,’ says woodlot owner of 40 years
Danielle McCreadie · CBC News
· Posted: Aug 13, 2026 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 1 hour ago
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Anthony Taylor says the impacted trees were likely already stressed from something else. (Submitted by Peter McKeil)
Balsam fir trees in New Brunswick are are turning red and dying after last summer’s record-breaking drought, raising concerns about the future of the provincial tree.
University of New Brunswick forestry researcher Prof. Anthony Taylor says he has been hearing from woodlot owners and seeing the damage firsthand, as the crisp evergreen trees — favoured for Christmas trees — slowly turn red, dry out, and die.
He said the pattern is consistent with what he has observed following other hot, dry summers.
“What we know for sure is that warm, dry conditions like the drought that we experienced last year, it has a negative impact on the ability of balsam fir to grow,” he said.
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