Height to:	30 m	Diameter to:	1.0 m
Weight:	Seasoned (12% m.c.) approx. 520 kg/cu.m.	Bark:	Rough grey to light brown
Wood Colour:	Pale yellow	Flowers:	Cone
Texture:	Usually straight grained. Fairly strong characteristic odour. Soft timber.
Adult Leaves:	Tiny, scale-like

Huon is found mainly in swampy or moist soils of the river flats in south-western Tasmania and is endemic to that area. It is usually 20 m or so high but has been known to grow to 38 m and has a slightly rough grey bark which, having been hewn, will weather to a beautiful silver colour.

An extremely slow growing tree, it can take 600 years or more to reach maturity. It is one of the few conifers which, when a branch touches the ground and becomes covered, will form roots from which a tree sprouts. In 1994 a single tree covering more than a hectare in area, was discovered which may be up to 10,500 years old. Whatever its age is finally worked out to be, it is suspected that it could possibly be the oldest living organism on earth.

The Huon contains an essential oil, methyl eugenol, which gives the wood its characteristic smell, repels insects and makes it very durable. Logs which have been buried in the ground for hundreds of years have been found to be usable because of this oil.