Update: Mexican Weeping Pine

 This is an exerpt from the Photo/History page for Mexican Weeping Pine

The Weeping Pine has been in a nursery pot since I received the bare-root seedling, last August & I wanted to take a look at his root development & re-pot, if possible.

I was initially surprised at the sparse root growth, until I remembered that these trees are shallow rooted in the wild. I removed enough soil so that I could see that this tree has healthy, white roots, extending around the perimeter of the original root ball & it was no problem slipping him into a training pot & gave him new, fresh potting mix & topped him off with aggregate. 

He is maintaining a height of 30 inches, which is the same length as when first received. This has been a priority & concern since taking-on growing a pine tree, which normally would top-out at 30 ft. (or more) Overall, just keeping this tree alive has been a challenge, while effectively "dwarf-ing" him.

Stay tuned!

Update: Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Known as a "fast grower" these trees are often used to create windbreaks & "tree lines" & our mini-Leyland is showing signs of growth with very green foliage, as opposed to the blue-green foliage of mature trees. 

My previous experience with conifers..pine, juniper, Cypress..led me to expect slow-growth..barely perceptible..think years, not months, so I was pleasantly surprised when this leylandii showed significant regrowth in a little less than 3 months.

This tree would no longer be mistaken for a Xmas tree & I'm looking forward to what we might be able to do with this specimen. Additionally, I'm surprised at the ease of propagation via cuttings, of which I will document at some point, but for right now, I well-pleased with his progress & development.

 

Access the full Photo/History of this tree @ Leyland Cypress or use the Tree Inventory menu on the r-side of every page  

Update: Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)

The Dragon has recovered nicely from 'childbirth' & I'm happy to report that both parent & child are doing well & both are showing signs of growth.

He has also regrown a substantial portion of the foliage that was trimmed, back in Dec. with new spires towering over the older, shorter plumes left from the 'flat-top' haircut I gave him.

The cutting, likewise is growing, getting taller & producing spires of his own making him look just like the mother plant. (grown from cuttings, he will exactly duplicate, or clone his parent)

Access the Photo/History for: Madagascar Dragon Tree 

 

Update: Coprosma 'Karo Red' (aka Mirror Plant)

The Karo Red may never look like he did 16 months ago, but he has survived & is continuing to fill-out his foliage in the burned areas. The canopy is not quite restored, but it appears he has adjusted well to re-potting..looks like he's "put on some weight". 

As one of the oldest specimens in the collection & his recovery from adversity, he has reclaimed his right to be a front-line tree & to be on display, permanently, I hope.

To see the full life history for this tree, click-on Coprosma 'Karo Red here or on the menu on the r-hand side of every page

 

Before & After: Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)

It used to be, that just about every nursery or plant seller had a "1/2-OFF" or markdown table where the plants that were unattractive, damaged, non-sellable (at least at full price) went, as an alternative to the trash.

And that's where I found this tree..

Acquired: Dec 10, 2025 - Home & Garden Center - $7.50 + tax.

There was an accumulation of debris, dead leaves,"suckers" run amok..air roots that had become pseudo-branches, curling around & entwining the trunk. 

Some major pruning to clean-him-up & remove dead foliage & branches, including root reduction, re-potting into a training pot, I let him rest for the last 6 months.

And this is how he looks today..reduced in height from about 36 " to a compact 15". With a gnarly, twisted trunk & new foliage beginning to re-populate the canopy.

For those that might be interested in knowing more about how all this happened, you can access a complete photo-history at Creeping Fig

You can also access the Photo/History page for this tree & all of the trees in our collection by using the menu on the r-hand side of every page.