[3] Within South Africa, it co-occurs with the indigenous forest tree fern (Gymnosphaera capensis) and the invasive Sphaeropteris cooperi from Australia.

Further north, outside of South Africa, it coexists with an additional two tree fern species, A. manniana and A.

Alsophila dregei has an erect, stout trunk and is up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall and 20–45 cm in diameter.

[3] It can be distinguished from the forest tree fern (Gymnosphaera capensis) by its thick trunk, and by its smallest (third level) leaflets.

[4][5][6][7] The only other indigenous tree ferns of the southern African region, Alsophila manniana and A. thomsonii, are both native to Zimbabwe.

[8] The invasive Sphaeropteris cooperi can be distinguished from A. dregei by the hairy white and brown scales on the new unfurling leaf stipes and sometimes by faint serrations on the leaflets.

[citation needed] Alsophila dregei is rarely common in cultivation as an ornamental plant, especially in South Africa and Australia.