[5] The leaves are needle-like, 1–3.5 cm (1⁄2–1+1⁄2 in) long, glaucous blue-green above and below with strong stomal bands, and a blunt to notched tip.

The cones are upright, 11–22 cm (4+1⁄4–8+3⁄4 in) long and 6 cm (2+1⁄4 in) thick, with the purple scales almost completely hidden by the long exserted yellow-green bract scales;[5] they ripen brown and disintegrate to release the winged seeds in fall.

[5] David Douglas discovered the species in the Cascade Range in the early 19th century, calling it "noble fir".

[5] While it benefits from occasional disturbances (e.g. the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens), it is very susceptible to fire but is usually protected by its moist environment.

[5] The superior light and strong wood was recognized early by loggers, who called it "larch" to avoid conflating it with inferior firs.

[5] The prostrate gray cultivar A. procera (Glauca Group) 'Glauca Prostrata' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.