[2] The tree is located in the centre of Chirinda Forest (formerly known as Selinda) in southeast Zimbabwe at the southernmost part of the country's Eastern Highlands.

Big Tree is protected within the Chirinda Forest Botanical Reserve, administered by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Estate.

Specimens planted in urban areas, particularly Harare and Mutare have achieved massive size and height and often threaten buildings.

In Mutare, a site near the Botanical Gardens features a row of 26 giant trees in various states of health.

In many places, the trees are home to hundreds of epiphytic orchids and are a favourite vantage perch for large birds, including the augur buzzard, bat hawks, pied crows, and silvery-cheeked hornbills.