A small, single cone and two flat needles in a bunch — this is a branch of an endemic pine that can be seen up close in its natural environment, just fallen on the forest floor. Or through binoculars and a camera telephoto lens. This is all that needs to be said about the height of the adult Pinus krempfii, with its umbrella-shaped crown rising above the forest canopy.

Its flat needles vary in both length and width, depending mainly on the amount of illumination and the distribution of essential resources, particularly water. Branches growing in shaded areas have longer and wider needles. Needles on transitional branches, growing in diffused light, are slightly shorter. On the "sunniest" branches, short and narrow needles grow, sometimes a third shorter than the "shady" ones.