A large shrub or small tree (3 - 12 m) growing in rainfalls between 650 - 1250 mm, although it has been recorded growing in rainfalls as low as 300 mm. It grows at altitudes from sea level up to 1200 m. It occurs in a band along eastern Australia from the tip of the Gape York Peninsula right down to Tasmania.
It is normally found on well - drained hill slopes but can also be found growing in rocky gorges, or near the edges of swamps, on heathlands and on sandy lowlands behind sand dunes. It is frost tolerant.
It is at home either as an understorey species or as a major species. Companion species include: Eucalyptus spp, Angophora spp, Syncarpia spp, and Callitris spp. It has marginal use as an emer-gency fodder, but is a first class fuel wood. The wood is strong, moderately durable and very fissile and was used for shingles, handles, yokes, furniture, turnery and for construction in farm buildings.
It is a good low shelter belt species.