mexican olive
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Pruning: Mexican Olive
The Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) was significantly affected by hard freezes in its first two winters here. Each time it recovered strongly, but last year it effectively had to grow a completely new tree from the ground up (only a few inches of trunk and parts of the lowest branch survived the freeze). Despite that… Continue reading
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How Did The Garden Handle A (Wet) Freeze?
Since the garden here is primarily made up of native plants, I generally don’t need to worry about winter freezes — the plants have evolved to handle those situations. However, there are a few protective things that I do before, during, and after freezes to take extra care. Here’s a summary. Until January 2026, the… Continue reading
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Tree Growth Report, January 2026
Each January I take note of how my trees and shrubs are doing. Like children, when you see them every day, sometimes you don’t appreciate how much they’re growing. This post addresses trees. There will a separate one to describe the shrubs that I have (here). The measurements and photos were recorded on January 11,… Continue reading
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Trees And Their Schedules
I have a small collection of trees here (I’m limited by space!). There is one evergreen tree (Texas Mountain Laurel), which will retain its leaves through the winter. The two Live Oaks are semi-evergreen, meaning that old leaves drop when they are pushed out by the new ones growing in spring. The transition only takes… Continue reading
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Mexican Olive And Some Of Its Occupants
My Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) tree has frozen back severely in its two winters here. This year I thought I had lost it completely, but it has made a remarkable recovery and produced over six feet of growth from the ground in only five months (I finally saw new shoots in April 2025). This tree… Continue reading
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My First Four Trees Are Now Taller Than I Am
In front of the house there are two Live Oak trees that the builder planted. Behind the house there are four trees that I planted early in my time here (2-3 years ago), with the intent that they would become major features in the garden: Desert Willow, Texas Mountain Laurel, Mexican Olive, and Mexican Plum.… Continue reading
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Mexican Olive Has Now Exceeded Last Year’s Height
Long-time readers may remember that my Mexican Olive tree has had a tough beginning getting established here. This is a tree that does very well in heat and drought, but is more prone to freeze damage than I realized. During its first winter (2023-2024) some growing tips were lost during the one freeze we had,… Continue reading
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Mexican Olive, Tree Or Bush?
In the fall of 2023 I planted a Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) tree. That winter during the one freeze event we had, the tips of some upper branches froze. The following spring, new growing points formed just below the frozen tips and the tree continued to grow taller and wider. A year later, in January… Continue reading
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Two Trees That Are Very Slow To Wake Up
There are a total of nine trees on this property, all young and varying in height from a few inches (Mexican Buckeye and Red Buckeye) to about 9 feet (Desert Willow and two Live Oaks). The other trees range in height from about 2-6 feet (Mexican Plum, Texas Mountain Laurel, Mexican Olive, and a dwarf… Continue reading
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Tree Growth Report, January 2025
It is now an annual tradition (i.e., this is the second year!) that I take note of how my trees and shrubs are doing. Like children, when you see them every day, sometimes you don’t appreciate how much they’re growing. This post addresses trees. There will a separate one to describe the shrubs that I… Continue reading
About Me
Nature Lover.
Inquisitive Observer.
Student Gardener.
I invite you to join me on my journey to convert my sterile (from a nature point of view) new house lot to a healthy and diverse ecosystem, as I make discoveries, mistakes, and hopefully progress. I am not an expert or professional. The project started in February 2023 and the location is Seguin, Texas, USA.
Rewilding My Lot 