On older trees of this variety, the bark is thick, corky, and deeply fissured. The crown changes from a conical form and becomes broad and flat-crowned with age, making the branches wide and drooping. Its cones are 3-4" long, and have 3 pointed bracts that extend beyond the nds of the scales. The buds are cigar-shaped, and the bark of the young trees is smooth and grey.
On mature specimens of this important timber tree, the broken branches may be cut back to just above the basal collar, or the leading edges may be cut back to healthy wood. A young tree disfigured by storm damage is most likely beyong salvation.