They are massed on the upper surface of the twig, and are very neat in appearance.

The fruit consists of cylindrical woody cones, which are about 2 to 4 inches long and are purple. These cones fall apart when they become mature. The twigs consist of terminal buds, which are small, round, and clustered, and are covered with resin.

The subalpine fir generally grows at timberline in cold, humid climates in the Olympic, Cascade, and Rocky Mountains.