Needles are two distinct sizes, with alternating long and short needles. Fall apart when mature. Terminal buds round and clustered, and covered with resin. Young twigs are greenish. Extends across the Pacific Northwest from sea level to 5100 ft.
Top needles point forward like ski jumpers.
Fall apart when mature. Buds clustered at tip of branch are usually round, purple in color, and covered with pitch. Remains gray throughout its life. Massed on the upper surface of the twig. A tiny groove runs the length of the upper side.