It's not native, and it's spreading into southeastern forests. The Piedmont has already been damaged enough. https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2097

the pic closeup... fails to provide a scale ... how long are those leaves??? it reminds me of https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Cerastium+tomentosum+&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images aka snow in the summer... but i have no idea what or how it is doing in AZ ... lol .. as i said.. you just triggered a childhood memory ... i cant fathom thats what it is ... ken

South of Boston, MA. Yeah I planted 3, and 2 were right at grade but the last one ended up an inch or two below somehow. I actually just shoveled out around it (about 2 feet in all directions) to make it level relative to the surrounding soil (seemed easier than digging it up and re-planting). Do you happen to have a good pic of what the root flare looks like on a young tree? All I can seem to find is mature tree's... I'm pretty sure I'm good, as I got low enough to see a few small roots pushing out, but I'm not 100% sure on what I'm looking for to begin with. Don't want to dig too low either. Thanks for your reply.

Pictures… im afraid the pics are not very clear. the main stem is now at about 1.5 feet tall as i have taken out the top by more then 2/3. and it about 1/2” thick. it has four lateral branches growing, out of those the front three (facing the camera) are much thicker (about 1/4” or more at the base) while the 4th branch is thin. @ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5 can you please suggest what i need to do to move it successfully? what care it needs after transplant? i once tried to move a volunteer sassafrass and thad did not end up well, partly because deer kept nibbling the plant, but mainly i think due to bad drainage. it succumbed after about two years. I am hoping this one will grow in a mostly shady spot. the location i have in mind doesnt get much direct sun in bottom 6 feet, but plenty of bright light. once the tree reaches 6’ sun will not be a problem. I am dreaming of a low branching tree. front view Top view (almost top) another angle