Single or small bunches of erect female cones occur in the upper part of the crown on the upper side of young branches. Nearly all cones are produced on the uppermost part of the crown. After dispersal, numerous small rodents and birds consume seeds from the ground. Because Engelmann spruce requires a mineral soil seedbed, subalpine fir seedlings usually outnumber spruce seedlings in the understory of spruce-fir stands. Thus, even though it is short-lived, many ecologists consider subalpine fir better able to regenerate under climax conditions than Engelmann spruce.
Subalpine fir is very shade tolerant and easily establishes under a closed canopy.
Subalpine fir is able to establish in duff because of its rapid root growth. Subalpine fir seedlings grow very slowly. Near timberline subalpine fir frequently reproduces by layering, probably as a result of heavy snow, wind, and cold temperatures which restrict growth away from the ground. Under closed forest canopy, reproduction by layering is negligible. Subalpine fir is a middle to upper elevation mountain conifer.