The seed cones are globose to oblong, 10–20 mm long, with four to 10 scales, green at first, maturing brown or grey-brown about 25 months after pollination.

The male cones are 3–4 mm long, and release pollen in late Winter / Early Spring (February–March in the northern hemisphere).

It has been planted widely for commercial production: at high altitudes in Colombia (3,300 m, 10,800 ft), Bolivia, Ethiopia and South Africa, and near sea level throughout New Zealand[6].

[8] It has been planted as an ornamental tree near sea level in temperate climates and has done very well in Portugal, Buenos Aires Province in Argentina; Austin, Texas and the British Isles where it can reach a height of 30 m (90 feet).

It is being planted in the Argentine province of San Luis,[9] Argentina at 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level to create artificial forests in a land originally lacking them in a very similar climate to that of its native habitat.