The stems of Ochna pretoriensis in picture have branched from the base. The bark is more grey than brown here. It may be very pale, smooth to slightly rough. The bark flakes in thin, papery strips.
Young branchlets have scattered lenticels, coloured white or similarly to the bark (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).