It is common in the foothills and lower mountains of the San Juans but can be found to the subalpine. Family Foothills, montane, subalpine. Fish Creek Trail, July 28, 2000. Douglas Fir needles are flat, soft, shiny green, fragrant, and 1 to 1 inches long. New needles are, as in this picture, light blue-green to light green.
Cones are distinctive, having bracts projecting from the cone like little mouse tails.
Douglas Fir bark is dark gray and irregularly furrowed. Family Foothills, montane, subalpine. Upper Mule Canyon, Utah, April 18, 2001. Early spring growth of cones.