Newtonia buchananii is a tree from 10–40 meter high, forming a loose canopy with a flattish top.

The leaves are bipinnate, with numerous leaflets (38-67 pairs), linear or falcate 2-9 mm long, tiny and light green when young.

In eastern and southern Africa, it is found in evergreen rainforest, often close to streams and lakes, at elevations from 600 to 2200 meters.

Its range includes eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

It is grown in coffee, tea and cocoa plantations to provide light shade for crops.