Hey Mike, I just got a Logee's catalog..To be honest, I've never heard of Acokanthera. I thought your new plant was Sweet Olive.. Where have I been? Preparing for Christmas. I baked several pounds of cookies and bars for family/friends, 'approximately 200' different types. Decorated, bought and wrapped gifts, cleaned, visited, addresed Christmas cards, blah blah..In the meantime, I've pretty much neglected plants which I explained in another thread. Regretting it now. Lol, on the darts..I feel the same..lol.. Mike, truthfully..I didn't know about the darts..I researched your plant, then came across information about the dart and sap. I have two perrenial bushes in the garden called Winter Sweet and Winter Shrub..at first I wondered if this bush was the same plant as yours, but since Acokanthera is a native of Africa, it'd never surive here, not outdoors, anyways. Did you say the owner gave you his plant??? Did he supply care instructions? For instance, when and what to fertilize, light, soil, watering, etc? It's a very very pretty plant, and fragrant, too!! Wonder why it can't be propagated from cuttings.. I'd try as an experiment..lol..Wonder if it's fast or slow-growing?? Hope it's not too much work keeping it alive, especially in winter. Well, good luck and take care, Toni

based on how it appears to be planted.. bound.. staked.. tortured and all the dead parts.. i am not sure i would bother with trying to save it.. regardless of what it is.. once you get your ID.. head over to the tree or fruit forum.. and ask if it is worthy of your attention.. or better off dead... and a pic of the whole will help.. i also wonder if it is telephone poled.. planted too deep ... aka improperly planted .... God knows why a plant that size would need two stakes.. and what looks like steel cable to hold it up .... and do understand.. i am being very honest.. since you did not do this ... ken

That is great! I'm thinking of getting one to plant and so much the better if it can produce edible fruit. Any idea if the fruit is edible? Thanks nmushka and nicole for the quick response.

Melissa, I would track down the name of the landscaping company immediately so that you can find out the identity of the trees as well as ask questions pertaining to their condition. I absolutely disagree with anyone who says that it's not important to determine the cause of problems as woody plants enter the fall season. This is especially true for aging plants or those that have been recently installed. What if the issues stem from a pest infestation which can be effectively treated with horticultural oil applications over the winter? Or a fungal/bacterial/viral infection that may require special maintenance tasks? There is a great deal that we can do in the dormant season to correct, mitigate, or prevent serious pest or disease issues, all without heavy duty chemicals. That's why Melissa needs to track down the company that put the trees in.