Schinziophyton rautanenii is a deciduous, spreading tree of 8-20 m in height. The trunk is stout, thickset and can reach a diameter of 1 m, it often grows in clusters with 3-4 trunks growing adjacent to each other. The grey to light golden-brown bark is smooth and flaky, young branches are covered in soft, rust-coloured hairs that fall off as the branches mature.

The leaves are alternate, digitally compound, with 3-7 leaflets leaflets that are dark green above, with a greyish underside, turning bright yellow in winter before falling off. The midrib and veins are covered in rusty brown, furry hairs; margin is serrated or lobed and edged with gland dots. Flowers are yellow or white and appear in early summer (Oct-Nov), in slender loose sprays or paniculate cymes up to 120 mm long. Schinziophyton rautanenii is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate trees), male cymes are longer than the females , and female trees also produce fewer flowers. Fruit is ovoid, 35 mm long and 25mm in diameter, waxy, light grey-green and covered with velvety hairs. The fruit ripens on the ground after falling in autumn (April-May). The seed is shaped and sized like a small hazelnut and is creamy white in colour.