Pyramidal growth habit and dense, very regular branching. The bark is grey-brown, later deeply grooved. The young twigs are yellowish brown to orange-brown and go well with the blue-grey needles. These are stiff and spiky, 2 - 3 cm long. The long cylindrical cones are green first, turning yellowish brown when ripening. The tree has few demands as to soil provided it is adequately moist. A very useful conifer due to its high tolerance to dry air. Good wind tolerance.