Species:

• tree 25-30 m high
• branches grow in irregular whorls almost vertically from the trunk
• bork/ross is deeply cracked, dark gray to black

• annual shoots are yellow-brown to gray-brown, densely hairy

• assimilation organs are needle-like, flat

• needles are relatively short, 0.5 - 1.5 x 0 ,15 cm large, slightly narrowed and rounded towards the end, distinctly stalked at the base
• the upper side of the needles is dark green, shiny
• the lower side is matte with bluish bands of stomata
• the needles are arranged like a comb in two rows on the twig
• there are several needles on the upper side of the twig turned with the lower side up and the tip pointing towards the end of the twig

• wood monoecious, flowers heterosexual, blooms in May
• male (♂) cones are ovoid, light yellow, 3-4 mm in size, grow individually in the axils of needles on last year's shoots
• female (♀) cones are broadly ovoid, green or reddish, 3 - 5 mm in size, grow at the end of last year's shoots
• blooms III- IV

• fruit is a cone 1.5 - 2.5 x 1.0 - 1.5 cm large, ovoid, gray-brown on a short stalk light brown after ripening
• seed the scales are round, slightly jagged along the edge
• ripens in autumn
• the cones remain on the branches for several years
• the seed is 2 - 3 mm long, light brown with a 10 - 12 m long membranous wing

• originally widespread in the eastern (continental) part of the North American continent where it grows at altitudes of around 700 m above the sea level. (it rises up to 1,800 m above the sea level in the mountains)
• was introduced to Europe in 1736
• in the territory of Slovakia it occurs only as a cultivated species

• in Slovakia it is resistant to frost
• requires soil moisture
• grows slowly

• a decorative woody plant with a habit, short needles and long-lasting cones