A tall, long living evergreen, straight trunked, conical shaped conifer averaging 20 - 30 metres in height, with slender dark green foliage. It bears small flowers and round brown-grey cones or seed nuts. Harvesting of the trees tips from 5 years onwards, and continuing annually. Growing wild throughout France and most of the Mediterranean region, from England, across to the Balkan countries and including Northern  Africa. The wood is highly prised for its hardness and durability. Leaves and terminal branches are collected for steam distillation to produce the essential oil.

The Greek word 'Sempervirens', from which the botanical name is derived, means 'lives forever' and the tree also gave its name to the island of Cypress, where it used to be worshipped. The legend says the cross of Jesus had been made of cypress wood and the tree generally seems to be associated with death. Obviously, being harvested wild, there is a slight variation between the Leaf Provence and the Wild, being the former a premium variation.