Deciduous conifer with a pointed, broadly conical and very open crown and horizontal branching pattern. The lower branches often hang down slightly. Width approx. 10 - 15 m. Young specimens grow very quickly: the growth rate slows somewhat later. The bark is red to greyish brown, thick and scaled and flaking off in narrow strips. The twigs are usually reddish brown and slightly hairy, sometimes frosted. The buds are on short shoots and the soft needles grow in bundles of 40 to 50 together. They are bluish green to dark green on both sides and colour to golden yellow late in the autumn. In spite of its Japanese origins, this species is grown more in Europe than the European larch. The tree is also used for landscaping and is excellently suited for use as a hedge plant.