recovery
-
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
-
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
-
Red Buckeye Recovery
In April 2024 I planted a small Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia) tree. It was just 14 inches tall at the time. By July 2024 it had lost almost all its leaves. This concerned me, but then I learned that this deciduous tree does lose its leaves early in the year. So I figured it would Continue reading
-
Texas Mountain Laurel Progress
Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) was the very first tree that I planted here in spring 2023. It’s already a slow-growing tree, but my long-time readers may recall that this one additionally had a difficult first year with half the tree showing signs of possible iron deficiency or root damage. Eventually it seemed to recover Continue reading
-
American Beautyberry Is Living Up To Its Name
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) was one of the first plants that I introduced here, in spring 2023. What I didn’t know then was how harsh last summer’s drought/heat would be, nor that there would be a major freeze the following winter. So considering how much recovery this plant has had to do, it is doing Continue reading
-
Texas Mountain Laurel Growing Back After The Last Caterpillar Feast
I have to be constantly watchful for Genista Broom Moth caterpillars on my small Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) tree. These caterpillars are immune to the toxin that this tree produces, so they have little competition. Unfortunately, while I was recently away for ten days, there was a significant infestation that destroyed all this tree’s Continue reading
-
Mexican Olive Recovery From New Growing Points
I planted a Mexican Olive (Cordia boissieri) tree last year and it looked healthy until a major freeze in January 2024, when I thought I might have lost it. I had to wait several weeks, but the tree did eventually recover. All the previous growing points of the tree were killed in the freeze, and 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 