Will the growth be winter-hardy? There's still more cold weather (probably) to come.

Seems like it from what I've observed in the past. At the old house, they start to push out new growth in late February every year yet we get late freeze. No damage. My brother had this tree at his house northwest of Houston before giving it to me last weekend where it was warmer but other MCs that he gave me have not put out new growth yet though. I'll have to wait till next year to see if it is early grower again or not at the new house.