| General Description | One of the largest of the high-elevation mountain conifers. Mature trees have a narrow, pyramidal form and compact branches. Long-lived; dominant trees are often 350-450 years old, with 500-600-year old trees not uncommon. |
| ID Characteristic | Will be fairly pyramidal in the early growth stages, but becomes very straight and dence as it matures. |
| Shape | Slender, slightly pyramidal. |
| Landscape | Used as a screens in groupings or mass plantings. |
| Propagation | |
| Cultivation | Thrives on all soils if sufficiently moist. |
| Habitat | Rocky Mountains through Nevada to Northern Alberta. |
| Bark/Stem Description | White, odorless, lightweight, straight grained, soft, stiff and can be readily air dried. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Orange-brown, grows to be 3-6 mm long. |
| Leaf Description | Needles are spread around stem, with more located above stem then below. Needles are four sided with 6 stomatal lines on each side. 2 -3.5 cm long needles are very stiff and rigid, blue green to green colour. |
| Flower Description | Monoecious. |
| Fruit Description | Trees older than 15 to 40 years produce tan coloured ovoid cones, 4-7.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide.
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| Colour Description | Dark green foliage. Bark ranges from black to dark grey. Cones are a light brown. |
| Texture Description | Meduim. |