The bark upon the stem of Buxus macowanii, a much-branched shrub or tree, is grey or brown. It may be either smooth or rough and on the trunk in picture has the fine vertical fissuring that is common.

Growing among other trees in forest conditions, this tree has lost its lower branches early. It strives up and branches at higher levels in search of sun, as all the forest Joneses feel compelled to do. Adapted to coastal, subtropical forest conditions, B. macowanii may also function well among under-storey trees and under-shrubbery, those not endowed genetically for reaching the top.

The young branches grow horizontally, the grey and green branchlets longitudinally grooved (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).