Large tree, 30-50m tall with 3-4m wide trunk: 3m tall at 5yrs. Slow growing to 1700 years. Mature trees have few branches for most of their height. Young (ricker) trees are conical with many branches. Grey-ish bark flakes off to leave characteristic hammer-mark. Thick, oblong and bronze leaves on young trees; bright green and smaller on mature trees. Male cones are cylindrical. Round female cones ripen from green to brown/red over three years. Seeds are wind dispersed. Requires a sheltered, relatively frost-free site.