40 EVERGREENS OF COLORADO 



branching tree of rounded form, and with a short, stocky trunk which is 

 commonly forked at or near the ground. Well developed specimens such 

 as occur in canyons may occasionally reach a height of thirty-five feet, 

 with a crown diameter of nearly equal extent, while on drier exposed 

 situations it is considerably lower, and is frequently broader than tall. 

 The trunk and main branches are very crooked, with but little clear 

 length available for use. The thin, greyish bark separates from the 

 branches in long, fibrous shreds. 



The branches are quite stiff, and are covered with short, closely over- 

 lapping, scale-like leaves arranged in four, or occasionally in six, ranks, 

 and of a pale yellowish green color. 



Fig. 27. Douglas Fir. a. Staminate and pistillate flower cones and two 

 mature cones, xU,. b. Mature cone, x%. e. Seeds, x%. 



The fruit is somewhat larger than that of the other cedars found in 

 our State, the berries sometimes reaching nearly one-half inch in 

 diameter. In color, they are a reddish or copper brown, covered with a 

 bluish bloom which is easily rubbed off. The berries require two seasons 

 in which to mature, and each contains usually but one seed of good size, 

 imbedded in the dry, fibrous flesh. 



This tree is of but little commercial importance in Colorado, but is 

 not uncommonly employed as fuel in its more western and southern range, 

 where it reaches its best development. 



