Native Habitat:

Moist forests, shaded slopes, and riparian areas.

Bloom Time:

Spring (cones produced March – May)

Growth Habit & Mature Size:

Evergreen conifer, 150–200 feet tall (in native forests) with a conical crown and drooping branchlets. Needles are flat, soft, and dark green with two white bands on the underside. Produces small cones along upper branches.

Light & Soil Requirements:

Partial shade to full sun; thrives in moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Prefers cool, humid environments and tolerates occasional seasonal wetness.

Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:

Polystichum munitum, Tolmiea menziesii, Athyrium filix-femina, Adiantum pedatum, Tiarella trifoliata.

Urban Garden Function:

Provides dramatic vertical structure, evergreen canopy, and layered understory habitat in urban woodlands, parks, and naturalized landscapes. Works well as a specimen tree, in layered native plantings, or for shade and habitat creation.

Wildlife Supported:

Provides shelter and nesting habitat for birds and small mammals. Needles and seeds feed certain birds and insects. Contributes to forest microhabitat and understory moisture retention.

Historical Use:

Used by Indigenous peoples for construction, tools, and medicinal purposes. Valued ornamentally for its tall, graceful form, evergreen foliage, and ecological function in native landscapes and restoration plantings.