A tree up to 50 m tall with a pyramidal crown, although the lower part of the trunk is clear of branches, the branches are often drooping. The bark is gray, scaly, deeply fissured in old trees. The needles are 1-2 cm long, bluish underneath with a waxy coating.
The cones are 4-7.5 cm long, light brownish in color, with rhombic-oblong, wavy, gnawed-toothed scales along the edge.
The seeds are almost black, 2 mm long, with wings 6-7 mm long. 2-4% of pure seeds come out of the cones. Germination lasts 2-3 years.
Trees growing in open spaces begin to bear fruit at 20-30 years of age, while trees growing in a forest stand begin to bear fruit at 40-50 years of age. The best yields are observed at the age of 160-170 years. Harvest years occur every 3-5 years. It blooms in May - June, the seeds ripen in September.
Outwardly similar to Sitka and common spruce. Ayan spruce lives 350-400 years, sometimes up to 500 years.
Acidic or neutral, moist soils are preferred. Quite wind-resistant, except for single-planted trees. Shade-tolerant, but develops better with sufficient lighting. Sensitive to atmospheric pollution. Frost-resistant.