This is a rather small (head and body = 60 millimetres (2.4 in)) mouse with a fairly long (~100 mm) tail.

Denys et al. (2006) note that the coronoid process on the mandible is reduced and that the animal appears to have the ability to push its lower jaw (and thereby its incisors) strongly forward.

They suggest that Dollman's Tree Mouse uses this feature to dig its burrow with its lower incisors.

Denys et al. (2006) suggest that this unusual diet may be part of the reason that so few individuals have been captured for study.

Sherman live traps baited with vegetable-derived matter may not attract this species to the same degree that it does other small rodents.

Denys et al. (1995) demonstrated a close association between Prionomys and Dendroprionomys on the basis of molar structure.