Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
Douglas-fir, 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
Online from $10.97 at 1 retailerPhotos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended
- Botanical name
- Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
- Variety / cultivar
- Rocky Mountain Douglas fir
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide
- Mature form
- Pyramidal
- Spacing / clearance
- ~25 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–6
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Lifespan
- Long-lived
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- low
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.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- low
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Frequently asked questions
- Is Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Douglas-fir, 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 Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir get?
- It matures to about 40–80 ft tall and 15–25 ft wide.
- How much room does Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir need?
- Give Douglas-fir, 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 Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir grow into?
- Douglas-fir, 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 Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir hardy on the Front Range?
- Douglas-fir, 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 Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir grow?
- Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is a slow-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir live?
- Douglas-fir, 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 Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir deer-resistant?
- Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain Douglas fir is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
