![Douglas fir close-up of pine needles](/media/5030/douglas-fir-close-up-pine-needles-wtml-1042056-glyn-baker.jpg?center=0.34463276836158191,0.42857142857142855&mode=crop&heightratio=0.5622047244094488188976377953&width=647&rnd=132092313810000000)
Credit: Glyn Baker / WTML
Leaves
Needle-like leaves are flat, soft and flexible, and distributed around the twig. They are green in colour with white-green stripes on the underside. Buds resemble those of beech trees – they are red-brown, scaly and slender, and taper to a point.