Hmm, could be. Although I would probably have to see it sprouting blue berries for confirmation? Here is a link that might be useful:

Hi there, I dont have Âmaureen but do have taxus media ÂhicksiiÂ. North side of the house, no winter sun, but heavily wrapped for winter. ItÂs done quite well. But, seeing that itÂs zone 3 and this is a zone 4 plant, I find that sometimes even using regular burlap isnÂt enough. Sometimes the pointy Âneedles stick through the burlap and winter burn. For this reason I have used a thick wool blanket. This year I got a huge box and am trying that method. I didnÂt winter mulch, but I do ensure lots of snow is piled around the plant. But thatÂs here zone 2b/3 and I know I will always have to wrap it. My chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Sungold' survived last winter fine. ItÂs short and was buried in snow, however. I love my thuja occidentalis Âyellow ribbon but here too I wrap every winter as the golden foliage ones are more subject to winter burn. Oddly, however, there is a hedge of some variety of golden thuja a few blocks over, and they donÂt cover in winter at all. I am just wondering what variety that one is. I donÂt recall seeing them in spring (and seeing how much they winter burn) but I will have to keep my eye on those ones. Has anyone tried Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety'? I planted one this past summer. Actually, if it winterkills to the ground that would be fine with me as I prefer it remain a smaller size. Anyone tried Boxwood? I got buxus Âgreen mountain on sale in summer 2004. It survived one winter, though under very good snowcover (itÂs beside the deck, so gets buried in snow very early on in winter). If anything I thought the location might do it in, since it was fairly wet, but so far so good. Does anyone know how diablo ninebark does in clay soil? My purple leaf sandcherry suffers from chlorosis almost every year (though in all honesty this summer was very wet). Was thinking of replacing it, but if diablo ninebark does the same thing I guess I wonÂt bother. Then again, I probably should try improving the soil around the shrub and see if that helps. Glen

In book "Wild Flowers of Florida", I found an explanation for the difference(s) between my tree and photos /descriptions of B. halimfolia. On individual trees, all flowers are either male or female. Author wrote of male flowers that they are "much less noticeable". Perhaps foliage density tends to follow suit. I am prompted by that reading to correct the above-stated "Deciduous" to evergreen. (Leaves did leave; now I recall that I pruned the branches.)

Thanks, everyone. Carol, yes, I see that you commented based on my incomplete description. Good guess. NHBabs and macranthos, I'm sure you nailed it. There used to be a red oak close by and there are red oak (Q. rubra) everywhere and seedlings take root from the many acorns. I might have put a bit of round-up on some of the obstinate wild blackberry canes, and that could account for the damaged red oak. I'm going to yank it soon along with some other unwanted volunteers. Ditto the Vinca minor that I want to eradicate. I think I will mechanically remove things. Thanks again. I appreciate your time and talent. This forum is amazing.