Tree to 30 m tall. Bark grey-brown, scaly. Branches reddish brown, the upper ascending, the lower drooping. Winter buds 4–5 mm, conical. Leaves 10–25 mm long, quadrangular or diamond-shaped in cross section, dull, pale green to dark green; apex acute, blunt-tipped. Female cones cylindrical, tapering towards tip, 10–16 cm long, green when young, pale brown at maturity; scales rhomboidal, rounded or toothed at the tip, thinly woody.
GipP, HSF, VAlp.
Native to Europe where it is widely cultivated for timber and in horticulture. Many cultivars exist. Grown in Australia as an ornamental and used as a Christmas tree. Occasionally found outside of cultivation in Victoria and New South Wales.
