Native Habitat:
Subalpine and alpine forests, moist slopes, and high-elevation sites .
 
Bloom Time:
Spring (cones produced May – June)
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Evergreen conifer, 40–100 feet tall, with a narrow, conical crown and pendulous branchlets. Needles are soft, bluish-green to silver-green, often arranged radially around stems. Produces small cones along upper branches.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Partial shade to full sun; thrives in cool, humus-rich, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, high-elevation conditions and tolerates snowpack and cold temperatures.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Polystichum munitum, Tolmiea menziesii, Athyrium filix-femina, Adiantum pedatum, Tiarella trifoliata.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides vertical structure, dense evergreen foliage, and layered habitat in naturalized landscapes, parks, and high-elevation or woodland-inspired gardens. Works well as a specimen tree or part of layered native plantings in cool, moist sites.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Needles and seeds provide food for birds and insects. Dense canopy and branches offer shelter and nesting habitat for birds and small mammals. Contributes to forest understory microhabitats and moisture retention.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for construction, tools, and minor medicinal purposes. Valued ornamentally for its graceful form, high-elevation adaptability, and ecological function in native and restoration plantings.