Its foliage and wood are highly flammable while its natural habitat is prone to fire.

It is unique in the genus in its ability to coppice, readily re-sprouting from burnt or cut stumps; this enables it to survive wildfires, and is considered a major factor in allowing its abundance relative to the other species in the genus.

It is closely related to the endangered cypress ("Cedar") of the Cederberg mountains.

The Mountain Cypress makes an attractive, water-wise and environmentally friendly indigenous alternative to the pine tree.

This tree can be propagated from seed, sown during autumn in well-drained sand.