The usual habitat is rainforest away from streams on shallow soils at high altitude.

However, it can occasionally be seen at low altitudes such as at Seal Rocks and Chatswood West.

T. collina is remarkably similar to the related T. laurina (Water Gum), but the latter species is strictly riparian.

Tristaniopsis collina is a small to medium tree, up to 35 m (115 ft) in height and up to 75 cm (30 in) in trunk diameter.

The bark is grey or creamy, very thin, with papery fibres that come off to touch.