Northern cypress pine is often seen on sandhills and rocky outcrops where it can live for at least 200-300 years. It is an upright tree of up to 10 metres in height. The leaves contain fine oils, which produce a characteristic pine odour, and its fruits are small, round, wooden cones. Regeneration occurs only a few times a century, following two years of above average rainfall. The very attractively grained timber is used for wood turning and craftwork, and was historically used on stations for fence posts due to its resistance to termite attack.

Distribution of the Northern cypress pine in Australia.