Notching a tree in an attempt to induce lateral branching is not as effective as chopping it back. Chop/ chopping is a common term among bonsai practitioners and describes the practice of chopping the trunk of tall trees back to only inches from the soil line. Most would never expect this tree could possibly live or ever become a bonsai. but note below the explosion of growth stimulated by the chop. Same tree - note the wounds are closing ^^^ Other examples of trees which were chopped hard: Progression of tree immediately above (center) with the large whit scar: Next 3 photos represent 1 year of healing at the point it was chopped: Tree progression: and, today: You didn't mention if the tree was in the ground or in a pot. Trees in the ground normally respond with much more enthusiasm than trees in a pot. An image of what you're working with and something about what your objective is would be very helpful. Al

Did you ever find out what this was? I was search for the same thing and came across your post. We have several similarities coincidentally. (see pics) We just moved into our first home East of Plano in the Dallas area. The beds in the front of the house are new and were put in by the seller to give the house curb appeal. Shortly after moving in the crepe myrtle turned back, quit growing leaves and powdery white spots appeared all over it. The landscaper we found on NextDoor said fungus and pulled it out and that's when he covered everything in the red mulch. He also moved all the boxwoods and magnolia a foot forward because they were a few inches from the foundation. Later in November he pulled the magnolia tree because it was too close to the house and said they are known to have invasive roots. It had also dropped most of its leaves. The above pictures are how it looked at the beginning of November. Here are a few from today... Since then the boxwoods have all turned from green to dark red. I am worried I am going to have to yank these too. We have a RainBird sprinkler system but do not plan to use it much so I am thinking we might just need to replace them with native Texas plants that are drought tolerant, but I am worried about the existing issue. Especially if it is fungal related. Does this mean that my soil has fungus in it and will affect everything I plant in it? Could the mulch have caused this as this seems to be when the decline started? Also, the magnolia tree was sitting on top of a root the size of a mans leg. It was directionally going toward the house. Should I cut this so it quits growing? Have I wrecked my beds? Please help!

Once a week in a pot isn't enough water. It's probably dried out and the water is just running thru. Set it in a saucer such that you can hold water about an inch deep around the bottom of the pot. That will allow the media to rewet by wicking up from the bottom. If it is from being too dry it should look better in a couple days. After it gets going again don't drown it by standing in water all the time. Let it dry out some between waterings but not so much that it droops again.

Please post a picture or two.