The young Philenoptera violacea tree may branch fairly low down, its pale grey-brown bark still mostly smooth, not yet flaking as happens on old trees.

Stem wounds are about unavoidable in the bush. A sticky, red sap is exuded from a damaged spot; patches reflecting earlier incidents tend to remain. When the tree is tall, a twist in the stem may be present (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; Pooley, 1993).