Chamaecyparis pisifera is a large conifer with a broadly conical habit and finely peeling red-brown bark.
The foliage is a bright steel-blue on the upper surface and silvery white on the underside.
It produces small cones with ten pointed scales, however these are only produced in cold climates and after 20 years of age.
These huge trees need a lot of space to grow into their natural shape. They are popular in cooler areas of Asia and Europe.
In Japan these are grown for their wood is used to build palaces and temples.