Bark is usually smooth and thin on young trees, becoming thicker and more furrowed on older trees. Leaves are narrow and linear. Foliage is constricted above the base and is shed, leaving a relatively smooth twig.
Flowers are monoecious.
The fruit is a cone that is borne upright on the branches. Cone scales are shed individually with the seed, leaving a stick protruding above the branch. Needles curve upward and outward. Buds are not resinous. Stomatic areas are usually below.