Manfreda virginica. Here is a link that might be useful: Manfreda

Common Checkered Skipper, Pyrgus communis. I don't think there is anything "common" about them, and that they are one of the prettiest skippers. Actually, I think it is called "Common" because it is one of the most often seen. I don't see them often in my garden at all, and love it when I do. The milkweed looks like Common Milkweed, or Asclepias syriaca. Could be one of the other broadleaf milkweeds, but since it is more common than other milkweeds, I'm gonna go with that until someone has a better idea. Susan

Top looks like a mulberry branch with a Fabaceae vine growing on it. Could even be a bean. Can you show us a picture of the vine's own leaves? Is it growing in a garden or in the wild?

"But no one has told me what the difference is between Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus caroliniana. No such clarification was posted. My original question was about identification of a tree. Is there some reason to believe that I have one, rather than the other? " It was properly identified by botanical name by Embothrium. Prior to that, just one of many common names was used for ID however that common name is often applied to both species. Prunus caroliniana is a native species that includes Texas as part of its natural range. It would be very unusual for Prunus laurocerasus to pop up spontaneously in your area but entirely natural for P. caroliniana to do so. It is also more tree-like in habit than Prunus laurocerasus, which is most often grown as a large shrub with no discernible trunk and the leaves present somewhat differently (smooth margins for one and slight serration for the other). As to the negative attributes you list, other than the propensity for P. laurocerasus being invasive in specific areas, they are just not serious enough to worry about.