They vary in number of layers present together and in thickness,and are sometimes scollop-shaped so rendering the
surface dippled. Surface colour varies from black to purple through shades of brown to fawn or with a distinctly orange hue. The crown (Plates 2,3, 7) is monopodial and narrowly conical at first in all Agathis. The branches are radial, and may droop or turn up at the ends, and vary in thickness. In some Agathis they selfprune (Plates 9d, 11b) to leave a long clean bole which is silviculturally an extremely desirable trait.