Hi!

A few years ago, maybe 3 or 4, I dug this sapling our from a bunch of weeds, and none of my neighbors have been able to identify it.

I live in southeast Texas, in The Woodlands, to be specific. The tree has never bloomed, nor do I think it has the ability to do so. The leaves are waxy, and have ridges on the ends. We've always left it in full sunlight, and it seems to be doin just fine.

Thanks for the help!

Maybe a Bay Laurel

If its a Bay Laurel, breaking a leaf and smelling would tell you for sure.

It reminds me of an oak tree.

DaisyI said:If its a Bay Laurel, breaking a leaf and smelling would tell you for sure.

It reminds me of an oak tree.

What scent would i be...smelling... for?

Definitely not Bay Laurel. Gives me a vibe of Prunus or Ilex. It will flower eventually if it hasn't already, although not showily. Maybe @kittriana or @porkpal have better ideas.

Cherry Laurel, perhaps?

porkpal said:Cherry Laurel, perhaps?

I know i'm new here, but I don't think its a cherry laurel. The foliage doesn't look dense enough for that.

I agree. Does it get much sun?

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

Might get red berries within a few years

A native of south Texas

porkpal said:I agree. Does it get much sun?

Full sun all day. Its always how it's been. I believe it survived the winter storms as well, unlike my poor lemon trees.

deepsouth said:
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)

Might get red berries within a few years

A native of south Texas

I don't believe its that either, those trees have smaller leaves. I have those in my front yard, and this tree's leaves are much bigger.

Here's a little reference that might help y'all.

equiluxe said:

What scent would i be...smelling... for?

The smell of a bay leaf.

Bay leaf has no smell to me, shrug. Definitely not yaupon, quercus has the leaves circling a stem, did it survive snowmeggeddon outside? It reminds me of a citrus but has no thorns, I cannot actually say except it isn't chinese privet. The expert you guys need is @ViburnumValley

kittriana said:Bay leaf has no smell to me, shrug. Definitely not yaupon, quercus has the leaves circling a stem, did it survive snowmeggeddon outside? It reminds me of a citrus but has no thorns, I cannot actually say except it isn't chinese privet. The expert you guys need is @ViburnumValley

It survived snowmageddon, athough it was covered during that time. (My lemon trees still died, despite being covered as well. :c)

It's far off, but perhaps a Camelia? Though they usually prefer light shade.

Is there any more info y'all want me to try and gather? I'm all ears.

Update: I have found the leaves smell like maraschino cherries, or maybe almonds, when crushed.

flowering almonds were offered down here one year in the nurseries, zone 4 thru 9 would explain the cold tolerance, don't remember the exact name, the leaf doesn't resemble a cherry like Nanking cherry tho. From what I hear, the cherry laurels bit the dust like citrus did. So, no id, but a few ideas?

kittriana said:flowering almonds were offered down here one year in the nurseries, zone 4 thru 9 would explain the cold tolerance, don't remember the exact name, the leaf doesn't resemble a cherry like Nanking cherry tho. From what I hear, the cherry laurels bit the dust like citrus did. So, no id, but a few ideas?

Basically. What I know so far is that the leaves are glossy, and smell of maraschino cherries when crushed, its rather tolerant to cold, and there was pretty much no shock after transplanting those few years ago. It can tolerate full sunlight, and can share land with the mint plant also in the pot. Its 3-5 years old, and thats about it.

So far, my best guess is a Carolina cherry laurel.