A vigorous evergreen conifer forming a large tree with broadly conical crown and upcurved blue-green needles. Branches diverge from the trunk at right angles, and are stiff. Cones are large, deep purple-brown when young. Leaves are needle-like, coloured glaucous blue-green. Bark on young trees is smooth and gray with resin blisters, becoming red-brown, rough and fissured on old trees. Grow in moist but well-drained slightly acidic soil. Spreads with age.