The Alsophila dregei stem may grow to 45 cm in diameter. Usually only 5 m tall, the occasional tree fern will reach 7 m. The stems withstand both frost and fire.

This is the most widespread Alsophila or tree fern species of southern Africa, previously Cyathea, growing from the coast to altitudes around 2300 m. The flourishing plants in picture were seen near Belfast on the Highveld (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).