Medium-sized to huge, monoecious trees, very rarely shrubs, deciduous or evergreen, resinous, with thick, often soft, fibrous bark. Lvs usually alternate and spirally arranged, less commonly opposite, usually linear, lanceolate, or cultrate, sometimes scale-like. Short shoots usually not evident. ♂ strobili (cones) terminal, of numerous spirally arranged stamens (microsporophylls), each stamen with 2-9 anthers (microsporangia). Pollen lacking bladders. ♀ cones terminal; bract and ovuliferous scales (megasporophylls) ± fused and indistinguishable, spirally arranged, numerous, each bearing 2-12, erect or inverted ovules on the upper surface. Mature cones ± globose, woody, dehiscent, ripening in second year. Seed often with narrow wing; cotyledons 2-9.