The approximately 15m long (maximum 25m), straight cylindrical branch-free log is up to 1.5m in diameter.

Sen is one of Japan's most important commercial timber species. Little color difference normally occurs between heartwood and sapwood. The sapwood, which gradually passes into the heartwood, is yellow-white in color. The heartwood is yellow-white, pale yellow-brown or pale gray-brown. 

Sen is a ring-pore type of wood, which gives an attractive wild pattern on the log sliced in crowns. On the radial plane, sen looks a lot like elm, on the tangential plane it is reminiscent of ash. 

Mainly in the form of peeled or sliced veneer and for plywood wall panels.