Trees

The dominant tree at the base area and part way up the mountain. This pine has needles in groups of two and thick scales on the cones. Young lodgepoles grow very straight and were used by Indians for teepee poles. Lodgepoles have a greenish yellow color compared to other evergreens when viewed from a distance.

This is the predominant tree of the higher elevations of the subalpine forest. It has single needles on the branches and the cone scales are finer than pine cones and hang down from the branches. Englemann spruce can live to be 500 years old.

This fir comprises about 10% of the subalpine forest and is intermixed with the englemann spruce. The needles are also singly attached to the branch, but the cones are upright on the branch. When the cones are mature, the scales fall away leaving only the spike of the cone remaining; this is sometimes referred to as the candle. The needles are flat and soft to the touch which makes it considered a "friendly fir".

The only deciduous tree in the area. There aren't many growing on Copper Mountain, but there are a lot across the valley to the north. They tend to grow in sunny and well-drained areas. Leaves are heart shaped and turn brilliant yellow in the fall.

Not common on the mountain. Blue spruce live along waterways. A few can be found along the path between Club Med and Union Creek.

Not common at Copper. A few have been planted in front of the Telemark Lodge. The needles are in groups of five and have white spots of pitch. The cones have bristles. Bristlecones are the oldest living tree, having been dated to over 4000 years old.