The Coral tree shouldn't get all the blame here... It looks like it was getting lawn irrigation which encourages fast weak growth, the multiple trunks are a known case of creating a weaker crotch subject to wind damage, and aan overly large growing weak woods tree species was planted in a location not really appropriate for the size and nature of the tree. I'd second the plug for E. x bidwillii, but in my experience here in the SF Bay Area it is more a shrub than a tree. I also find species such as E. coraloides slower growing and less dangerous specimens which I've used locally. I also find the idea of European white birch trees inappropriate for most California conditions; almost always subject to constant aphid and borer infestations and looking rather pathetic unless very well watered. I had a few things come crashing down here in my garden with our northern California version of Santa Ana winds here, but it was just smaller light weight limbs from tree dahlias and Iochromas. Not heavy enough to do any damage in the garden, but still a surprise to have to clean up afterwards. I'm glad our local Diablo winds aren't particularly fearsome, as we'd have a lot more downed trees here if they were.

oh yes, cotinus! Thank you, Esh. I have been thinking about that shrub for days now as the leaf shape was so familiar but I just couldn't place it. I have a Cotinus "Grace" in my garden. Unfortunately mine is nowhere near this spectacular - the leaves have turned from blue/greenish to purple/plum, but have none of these wonderful reds and oranges. Maybe Grace needs a companion!

Hi bindsd, Not sure what part of Houston you're in, but The Arbor Gate up at Tomball is where I got mine. They had both the E. crista-galli and the E. crista-galli X bodwillii last fall. The Arbor Gate is a great nursery and would be on my "grand tour of Houston nurseries." If you're closer to central Houston, I would suspect that Joshua's or Buchanens in the Heights would have them as well. Here are the web addresses for your reference, if not for this tree, than for future plant expeditions! Give them a call and see if they have the trees for you. I don't have growing from seed info for you, but from Tally's post looks like they'll bloom in 3 years. I haven't had the heart to whack mine back into tree form, so it's an unruly shrub right now. It didn't die back to the ground this winter with the light freezes/cold weather we had, but it definitely wants to be a shrub. The Arbor Gate: http://www.arborgate.com/ Joshua's: http://www.joshuasnativeplants.com/ Buchanen's: http://www.buchanansplants.com/directions.htm Another Place In Time (smaller, but also in the Heights with nice stock): http://www.anotherplaceintime.com/

Patrick there are a number of ways to attach the rolled fencing so it stays up. The easiest is fence posts. One of my friends did an informal bamboo rolled fence and painted the fence posts black so they kind of disappeared in the shade of her trees. If you don't want to do wood fence posts you can use metal ones and paint them to disappear. Those rolled fences don't last forever; the bamboo longer than the reed or twig ones. They could easily be damaged by falling limbs, but are very inexpensive and easy to replace if needed. I don't think a small, unobtrusive fence, intertwined with the trees is in any way rude to the neighbors. They might appreciate the privacy, too, or likely wouldn't even notice it.