Petter Karsten first described the species in 1868 under the name Clavaria fennica, based on collections made in Finnish fir woods.

[4] The fruit body consist of numerous branches that arise from usually two to four large primary upright branches, which themselves originate from a single thick, fleshy base; the overall dimensions of the fruit body are 6–18 cm (2+1⁄4–7 in) tall by 5–12 cm (2–4+3⁄4 in) wide.

Unlike many larger species of Ramaria, R. fennica fruit bodies are usually taller than they are wide.

The surface of the branches is smooth, and they can range in color from olive-grey to olive-umber to smokey-yellow, grayish-tan, or yellow brown.

[4] Fruit bodies grow on the ground singly, scattered, or in groups, often with tanoak (in North America).