The Corkbark fir is very similar to the Subalpine fir. The distinguishing feature is the pale bark which makes this tree stand out among the Engelmann spruce trees, almost like aspen. The bark is usually yielding and tough, not brittle or flaky. The color is pale ash grey, creamy white, or yellow-white. The bark is irregularly ridged or checkered, sometimes very thick, soft, corky or spongy. Subalpine fir bark is smooth and a darker gray up to over 12 inches in trunk diamater, and then starts to form scales.
Corkbark fir has blue needles that can rival the Blue spruce for color. The large mature needles are about 1 inch long, reaching 1 1/2 inches, and naturally flat like all fir needles (not sharp and stiff like Blue spruce needles). The cones are like the cones on the Subalpine fir. Corkbark fir typically reaches 30 to 60 feet in height, and 6 inches to 18 inches in trunk diameter.