floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK: In theory I like the idea of trees that live 200 years or more. Also, I'm not sure longevity and slow growth are perfectly correlated. maackia: I am planting hawthorn and craapples. The problem with the genus rosacea is there are A LOT of cedar in the area, so rust is a potential problem. Not to mention Japanese beetles. ken_adrian: No one thinks of a "legacy shrub", but I suppose a multi-trunked shrub that suckers can live longer then a tree. The creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) can live at least ten thousand years. Not aware of any equivalent shrub that has conspicuous flowrers, and you couldn't necessarily tell it was ancient by looking at it...but if anyone can think of one, tell me. brandon7 TN_zone(7) I was actually thinking of Ostrya virginiana for other reasons. (wind resistance). Considered sourwood, but it would probably need coddling on the sites I'm considering. Haven't heard of most of the others.

Brachychiton

Whatever it is, a chunk of bark that big falling off to expose the yellowish cambium is NOT a good sign. Can you post a closeup of the foliage? Actually I just thought of something. Are these trees usually evergreen? There are forms of Chinese Lacebark Elm that are evergreen in mild climates, which Houston normally is. This tree could not only have been in leaf, but in a semi-state of growth, when it was blasted by the cold wave. The temps well below freezing could have caused a type of extreme scald damage to the trunk. It literally peeled off due to the formation of ice. If that is what happened... although it's a very tough species, I assume the tree will continue to slowly decline and should be replaced eventually.

I haven't won any "major awards" lately, so I'll take it ;) Per MOBOT's PlantFinderSecurinega is "considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese herbalism." And according to Randy Stewart's blog it is"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED in Canada and northern parts of the U.S.!!! It can be trained as a small tree. Older plants have a very attractive appearance, often resembling that of a miniature Weeping Willow."