Native to South Africa. A canopy or emergent tree in montane evergreen rainforest, often on steep, rocky slopes; at elevations from 1,300 - 2,000 metres. It is able to withstand some frost, tolerating occasional, short-lived temperatures. It’s a highland forest species that grows best on moist sites with high rainfall and deep dolerite soils, grows best in deep and moist, sandy or loamy soil. It can tolerate less favorable sites, but then grows very slowly. Established plants can tolerate some drought.

A tall to very tall, straight stemmed forest tree, and reaching 20 to 30 m in height.

BARK: dark grey to pale grey-brown, longitudinally fissured bark. In older trees, the bark sometimes peels off in large pieces, exposing a red-brown under-surface.

LEAVES: bright green to bluish green and glossy above, dull green with a prominent midrib below. The young leaves are pale green and soft.

FLOWERS: Inconspicuous, has as either male or female flowers (dioecious).

FRUITS: Female and male cones develop on separate plants. The female cones (September to January) develop into an olive green seed that ripens in May. Male Podocarpus henkelii cones are erect, pink, and 2-3cm long and are solitary or in clusters of up to 5.

Provides valuable timber tree but not common enough to be of major economic importance. The wood is also used for construction, carpentry and joinery, as well as furniture making.

In a container, it makes a great Christmas tree when decked out in its finery.

An ornamental tree.

Excellent tree for use in a lawn.