The pūriri tree can grow up to 20 m tall, with a trunk commonly up to 1.5 m in diameter, frequently thicker, and a broad spreading crown.Muriel Fisher, E. Satchell & Janet Watkins (1985) Gardening with New Zealand plants, shrubs & trees. The thin bark is usually smooth and light brown in colour,A. Eagles (1986) Trees and shrubs of New Zealand; Volume one revised. but can also be very flaky. Pūriri was actively and selectively logged in the past to provide timber for a wide range of end uses. Only the best trees were felled, leaving the gnarled pūriri often found on farm paddocks. This has given the impression that pūriri is incapable of growing straight, but early reports of pūriri describe naturally clear boles of 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 m)R. Taylor (1848) Names and properties of the principal New Zealand trees. New Zealand Journal 299 (From the Annals of the Diocese of New Zealand). and there are still a few trees like that left. A good example of a well-shaped tree is behind Ruapekapeka Pā in Northland.
