Where found:

• Lowland forest, only in sedimentary hill country north of about Tangarakau
  
• Up to 900 metres
  

• Tall, spreading tree with 2m diameter trunk, often buttressed, partly deciduous in late winter, early spring
  
• Light green leaves, with yellow green undersides, toothed margins (8-12 pairs of teeth) and slightly hairy when young (25-35mm x 20mm)
  
• Male flowers are red or orange with 1-10 flowers on each branchlet, female flowers are 2-3mm long with 1-5 per branchlet
  
• Bark is full of tannin which has been used for tanning leather
  
• Hybridises with black beech at Tangarakau