Rocky Mountain Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
Rocky Mountain Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide, slow-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Colorado nativemedium water40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) J Straka, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Norma Piedra, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Caleb Catto, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–6
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Foliage
- Evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rocky Mountain Douglas fir good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir get?
- It matures to about 40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much room does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir need?
- Give Rocky Mountain Douglas fir about 25 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir grow into?
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir typically grows into a pyramidal, conical outline that is widest at the base. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Rocky Mountain Douglas fir hardy on the Front Range?
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is hardy in USDA 4–6. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir grow?
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Rocky Mountain Douglas fir live?
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is long-lived, a multi-generational tree given good siting and care. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- Is Rocky Mountain Douglas fir native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Rocky Mountain Douglas fir deer-resistant?
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
