Just an update: The tree has been growing vigorously but did have a little branch die back last winter, that I may have pruned prematurely, so it looks a little thin at the inmost sections but it's coming back strong. The sucker I left to grow is almost the same diameter and size as the main tree and is starting to show white bark. It's on the sunny SE side of the main tree. Leaves are still green and I'm attributing that to timely rains and week long of mid 80's f that came early last week. Picture direction from other side of trunks.

rhizo, I took another picture yesterday and it came out just as blurry. Something seems to be wrong with my camera. The leaves do appear to be chewed up by something. They look chewed, but at the same time also sort of scorched into the colours of brown and black. There's also tiny black pellets on the damaged leaves that look like the droppings of some creature. Trouble is I don't see any creature. The damage is only on on branch tips. Such a pity, because the tree is into a massive phase of new growth right now. And thanks for taking the time to try to figure out what's going on.

Ah, your mama is the unfortunate owner of a true garden thug, altho it is beautiful. This is goosenecked loosestrife, which has an inborn desire to take over the world. I have it, planted it deliberately many years ago and have watched its proclivity for domination ever since. I tried getting rid of it some years ago by digging and sifting the roots as thoroughly as I could. To no avail, really. It is back in all its glory. Unfortunately, it can and will send its runners into the lawn. The possible good news for your mother is that it seems hers is located between the driveway and what looks to be a sidewalk of cement (?). In that case, the plant may be effectively stymied in its spread. Make sure to deadhead the blooms before they can spread viable seed and just enjoy this pretty & unusual flower form in the meantime!

I don’t know what the first one is but I believe the 2nd is a Graptosedum Blue giant and the 3rd i think is a Sedeveria Pink Granite. I have that same 2nd succulent and spent forever trying to identify. I’m still not sure if I’m right!