Rewilding My Lot

Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) trees handle heat and drought well, but they can be damaged in hard freezes.

This spring, my Mexican Olive has made a much stronger recovery than last year, even though both of the previous winters had similar cold events (temperatures down to 18/19 F). Perhaps the better recovery this year is because the tree is stronger overall.

Very quickly after the end of winter, the Mexican Olive started to leaf out. On most of the branches the new growth stops a foot or so short of the tip, but I expect the tree to compensate by making multiple new side branches that will eventually extend beyond the original tips (I saw that happen two years ago). I have left the leafless tips as they are for now, because they are good perching places for dragonflies and birds (and because they may yet produce leaves).

In addition to new leaves, the tree has made an abundance of bloom buds and some have already opened. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many buds at the same time before.

I am pleased with the tree’s recovery this spring. During last winter’s pruning I was able to raise the canopy a little, and I hope to be able to do more of that next winter.