Needles are usually in fascicles of 2 or 3 with the sheath generally persistent. The cross-section of the needle shows 2 vascular bundles. Cone scales are usually thick at the apex and generally armed. Wood is generally hard with an ubrupt transition from early to late wood.

Needles are usually in fascicles of 5 and the cross-section of the needle shows one vascular bundle. The fascicle sheath is deciduous. Cone scales are usually thin at the apex and generally unarmed. Wood is generally soft with a gradual transition from early to late wood.