If it's green under the bark, it's alive. Since winter didn't really happen in this part of the country this year, there should be pleasant surprises like this all over!

ive seen some big castor beans but nothin that size..man that is the size of a small oak tree

No doubt. Anything growing on your tree yet, Dogboy?

No, no activity yet. I took a sawsall and cut them down to ground level. Still green with huge roots running under ground. The weather is just starting to heat up, I wouldn't be surprised to see some activity soon.