Fokienia hodginsii is an evergreen tree, 25-30 m tall. It has greyish-brownish bark that peels off when the tree is young. On older trees, the bark presents longitudinal fissures and becomes aromatic. The leaves are arranged in flattened branchlet systems, with the branchlets in one plane.
The tree does not tolerate shade, and requires mild climate and abundant rainfall to grow best.