A very large tree found in the Rockies and the largest tree in the Northwest. It is intermediate in tolerance, with the Coastal variety much larger than the Rocky Mountain variety. Needles are about 1", more or less flattened, petioled, and when removed, leave a slightly raised suborbicular leaf cushion. Buds are fusiform and sharp-pointed. Cones are about 3", and ovoid-cylindric, with thin scales with long, exserted, 3-lobed fork-like bracts.