Large or very large tree; branches ± horizontal; branchlets tending to droop. Bark thick, reddish brown beneath. Shoots light to dark brown, with short hairs, ridged. Winter resting buds to 1 cm long, shining purplish brown, long, narrow and sharply acute. Lvs 1.5-3.8 cm × 1-2 mm, often revolute, glaucous-banded below, orange-scented when crushed, 2-ranked on juvenile and other vegetative shoots in deep shade; apex obtuse. ♂ cones 1.2-2 cm long. Mature ♀ cones (4)-5-10 cm long, cylindric-ovoid. Bract scale with exserted part pointed towards cone apex; central lobe longer, 5-15 mm long, subacute; ovuliferous scales much wider than long, entire. Seed mottled brown beneath.