The leaf margin of the leaflets is toothed. The leaflets are up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. Things to Note: This is not a true fir, however it does have similarities to spruces, hemlocks, and larches. The leaves of carolina buckeye are palmately compound with five to seven leaflets.

Relation to Fire: Thin, resinous bark of young trees makes them highly susceptible to fire after 40 years, trees have developed a very thick layer of bark to protect them during hot ground and surface fires. Habitat: Rocky soils of moist northern slopes in pure stands and mixed conifer forests. reticulata) is a deciduous tree.Its species name, reticulata, means 'netted' or 'reticulated' in Latin and is a reference to the netted pattern of the veining in the leaf. Unlike subalpine fir needles, Douglas-fir needles narrow before joining the twig.įruit: Light brown, short-stalked cones that hang down from the branches 1⅓ to 3 inches long have rounded scales and very distinctive papery, three-lobed bracts that extend beyond the cone scales and resemble a mouse posterior or a snake’s tongue. They are ¾ to 1-inch long and very fragrant. The tips are blunt or slightly rounded, flat and two-sided, same color on both sides, and soft to the touch. The opposite, pinnately compound, light green leaves are composed of 3-7. Leaves: Evergreen needles are single on the twig, yellow-green to blue-green in color. Idaho Native Plants: A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally. The bark is very thick and deeply furrowed with broad, often corky ridges.

Mature trees have a reddish-brown or grey color. Bark: Gray and smooth on young trees, can look similar to subalpine fir bark.

Idaho leaf guide with pictures