Afrocarpus latifolius is a slow growing tree, most valued for its timber. It is normally found growing in mountainous areas and forests in the Southern, Eastern and Northern parts of the country. This tree can reach a mature height of 20-30 metres.
The dark green, lance-shaped leaves are spirally arranged on stiff upright branches. These leaves are soft, pale purple when young becoming lush green, thick, tough and rubbery when mature. Its bark is yellowish -brown, fissured and peels off in narrow vertical strips. The real yellowwood is dioecious, male and female parts are on separate plants.
Afrocarpus latifolius is resistant to a reasonable amount of frost and is the most frost resistant species of all Yellowwoods. It prefers good, deep and fertile, humus rich soils, but will tolerate slightly loamy or sandy, coarser soils.
In landscapes, the real yellowwood is normally planted as ornamental trees along roadsides. They are also an ideal species for public parks. Afrocarpus latifolius is an interesting container plant and it is also able to withstand short periods of deep shade, such as an indoors potplant. Because of its interesting bark, P. latifolius is a good choice for bonsai As a Christmas tree it is hard to beat.