This member of family Pinaceae grows to the height of 20–30 m (66–98 ft) with a trunk diameter of 35–80 cm (14–31 in).

There are two subspecies (treated by some botanists as distinct species, by others as just varieties): This species often grows in mixed in stands with several other pines and/or junipers, in Arizona most often with Apache Pine and Alligator Juniper, but also grows in pure stands.

Its habitat is prone to wildfire, and the species shows some adaptations unusual among pines to cope with this; if the crown is destroyed by fire, the trunk, protected by its thick bark, will send out new shoots to re-grow a new crown.

As none of these are species particularly closely related to each other, the adaptation has probably arisen independently in each, an example of convergent evolution.

In South Africa and Queensland, Australia there are big extensions of this tree planted.