Texas Mountain Laurel

18 years ago

Hi Folks, I hope you can tell me there is hope for this tree. It was transplanted last fall from another location. It was a very healthy specimen at the time, about 4' to 5' tall and quite bushy. In just a few weeks all the leaves died so I finally cut back the branches quite a bit, although not completely to the trunk. We had hoped that when the warm weather hit it would spring back to life, but nothing is happening. No buds, no sign whatsoever of any new growth. On the up-side, the tree does not look dried up or wrinkled, the branches appear to be woody.

I have given it some Super-Thrive/chelated iron cocktails, also some liquid seaweed drinks. Any other suggestions for getting some action from this once lovely tree? Alternatively, how do I know if it's still kicking?

Thanks for any help.

Mary

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Comments (8)

lazy_gardens
18 years ago
Texas Mountain Laurel is an evergreen tree.

It's dead.
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
Original Author
18 years ago
Awwwww-break it to me gently.....sob.

But seriously, I appreciate you answering. Now I know. Time for a new tree in that spot.
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lazy_gardens
18 years ago
That species is VERY hard to transplant - the rootball is brittle.
kazooie
18 years ago
sorry mary, that is what i thought earlier... :(
do you know what you will replace it with?
MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ
Original Author
18 years ago
Lazy, Thanks for letting me know I may only be half the fault of losing this once lovely tree. It is a bit of comfort actually.

kazooie, I'm thinking of a Chinese Pistache. We live on a cul-de-sac and are the center house so when one turns onto the cul-de-sac our yard is the focal point [unfortunately at the moment, previous owner wasn't into landscaping]. This tree will be planted beside the driveway [no carport or garage] and will serve to shade the vehicles from afternoon sun.

Somone on this forum has reminded me of the Swan Hill Fruitless Olive and I want one of those too but it will probably go in the back. Next fall for tree planting. I missed the opportunity by putting in then losing the TML.

Happy gardening!
Mary
jimdaz
18 years ago
Hi Mary,

Chinese Pistache is such a great tree. One of my neighbors has one, love the fall color. Another neighbor has a Pistache, the variety is "Red Push". It is also neat, great reddish color on the new growth, and reds and oranges in the fall. You might take a look at that one also. Very drought tolerant.
valerie_fenning_cox_net
12 years ago
Texas Mountain Laurel do NOT like being transplanted or having their roots bothered once planted. You might have killed it trying to transplant it.
Pam Honeycutt
12 years ago
I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that I started from seed. I started it in a large Styrofoam cup so when I get ready to plant it out I can just tear the cup apart and not disturb the roots. It doesn't seem to be growing much, about 5 inches tall now. Wondering if I should move it to a larger Styrofoam container so I can get a little more size to it before planting it out, its not getting root bound or anything, just not growing too fast.

Pam