Well known for its autumn foliage colours which persist throughout winter highlighting the change of seasons, Combretum kraussii is a medium sized tree attaining a mature height of 5-10m when growing conditions are favourable. Its distribution in South Africa stretches from Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo to Mpumalanga. This tree is found growing naturally on rocky hillsides, evergreen forests, wooded valleys, open woodlands and also on mountain grasslands. The Forest bushwillow has been classified as mostly evergreen, semi-evergreen and semi deciduous depending on the environment the tree is growing.

The elliptic ovoid leaves of this decorative tree turn bright red to purple in winter, dropping just before flowering which occurs sometime in August. In spring new green leaves appear on the tree, some of these new leaves surrounding flowers turn white along with the white flowers in summer. The flowers are followed by four winged fruits which stay on the tree for a long time.

Combretum kraussii tolerates shade and can be grown in a large container on a patio. It can be trimmed to maintain a neat shape. It is also an ideal shade tree for gardens, pavements and along driveways or on paved areas as its root system is non-invasive. The Forest bushwillow is reasonably frost and drought resistant although young trees need frost protection.