I planted this tree in December 2014 after purchasing it from the Houston Arboretum. It leafed out OK in spring, but then sat in waterlogged soil for a month or two around April-May. This resulted in loss of all but a couple of leaves, with only a feeble attempt to regrow a couple of leaves that summer.
I transplanted it to a drier site during the winter and it leafed out nicely in the spring of 2016. Then the winds came and tore the new leaves to shreds. However, it continued to produce new leaves into July. Unfortunately by mid July 2016 it was showing signs of suffering from the severe heat, with leaf edges browning. On March 4th 2017, the Basswood had started to leaf out nicely. On March 11th... maybe a hint of anthracnose as it had been damp for a couple of weeks. I sprayed with "Infuse" fungicide a few days prior, but perhaps this was too late.
Since then there was a lot of deterioration in the leaves and by July 16th 2017, they had become sparse, yellowish and droopy. On August 19th 2017 there were only a few small yellow leaves remaining - I thought this one was a gonner, despite all efforts (watering, fertilizer, insecticide, fungicide).
On April 22nd 2018, this tree looked better than it ever had before, with a lot more growth than the previous few years. It even had the beginnings of some flowers. Still going strong on May 6th 2018.
On May 12th 2018, some flowers had opened.
On July 22nd 2018 the Basswood looked so much better than it did the previous July (see pictures above). I think the difference must have been timely application of fertilizer.
On May 18th 2019 the Basswood was smothered in flowers - every branch was loaded with them. Unfortunately, in July 2019 my Basswood was almost totally defoliated by six huge fat green Polyphemus Moth caterpillars. Pity, as this tree had really turned itself around in 2018.
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Carolina Basswood (early July 2021)
Carolina Basswood (early July 2020)
Carolina Basswood (end of June 2019)
Carolina Basswood (July 2018)
Carolina Basswood (July 2017)
Carolina Basswood (July 2016)
Carolina Basswood (summer 2015)
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