Branches tend to grow in an upward direction. Foliage is blue green in color and is needle like less than an inch in length. Needles are shorter, thicker and more gray than Deodar Cedar. Flowers are catkins and cones. Male catkins give off lots of pollen in the spring.
Female cones are stout, erect, and initially purplish in color.
Cones are found in the upper parts of the tree. Good background tree, skyline tree, specimen in large landscapes such as parks. Prefers acid soils that are moist and well drained. Even though they prefer acid soils, will take slightly alkaline soils as well. Will grow in full sun to partial shade.