The upper stems of Cryptocarya woodii in picture have smooth bark, coloured brown, red-brown or grey-brown in lighter or darker shades. The youngest branches of the tree are green. Some thin stems are already leafless in picture.

Glossy blades, wavy margins and pale midribs are in evidence among the foliage. Lower blade surfaces are notably paler than upper ones. An old, yellow or orange leaf may occasionally be spotted among the foliage of this evergreen tree (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).