Tree to 40 m tall in the wild but rarely cultivated. Branching irregular. Leaves thick, stiff, c. 12 mm long, turned inwards or spread away from the stem. Cones in pairs, orange-brown, spherical, c. 1.5 - 2.5 cm wide at the ends of branchlets.

Grows naturally on high rainfall valley slopes alt. 800-1400 m, hence a preference for wet, rocky sites and acidic soils. The common name refers either to the Mt King William area where it is found, or to the Tasmanian aborigine King Billy. Offered in the nursery trade for its botanical interest.

W Tas (Mts).

A valuable fine-textured commercial timber that bends well with little shrinkage.

ACT: Australian National Bot. Gds. TAS: Hobart (Tasmanian Royal Bot. Gds).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Taxodiaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.