Belongs to the Pine family. It grows slowly and eventually reaches a height of 25-30 m, and in cross-section its trunk can have a diameter of about 1 m. The bark has a smooth structure and is colored gray-green. Over time, peeling scales give it a gray-white color with reddish spots.
The needles are connected in small bundles of three. They are 9-15 cm long, and in cross-section reach 0.6-2 mm. Hard to the touch needles are colored dark green. Brown egg-shaped cones are covered with resin and are located on the branches singly or in pairs. They are 5-6 cm long, 4-5 cm wide, with spines bent back at the shields.
It is undemanding to soils, it feels good on slightly acidic, neutral and slightly alkaline light soils. It grows better in a well-lit area that is protected from gusts of wind.
It should be taken into account that the plant can suffer from snow drifts and ice loads. This can break off tree branches.
USDA frost resistance zone: 5 (from -29 ° C to -23 ° C).