I planted this tiny seedling on July 21st 2016. It was dug up from a friend's yard.
On August 19th 2017, the Sugarberry finally started to produce new shoots with some vigor - looked like it must be getting established, which it certainly should be able to do, considering that many grow wild in this neighborhood.
Initially I doubted whether this was really a Sugarberry as the leaves had serrated edges and a very rough upper surface. I thought it could be a Dwarf Hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia). In late 2017 I planted some seeds from some trees in Brazos Bend State Park which were definitely Sugarberry trees (smooth-edged leaves). The young trees also emerged with serrated leaves, just like my sapling. I therefore concluded that the leaves are serrated on young Sugarberry trees. On May 6th 2018 the Sugarberry was doing exceptionally well - much more prolific growth than in previous years. In July 2018 the leaves on the most vigorous shoots did not have serrated edges, confirming that this is very likely a Sugarberry.
In August 2019 we found about 8 big fat green spiny Io moth caterpillars consuming the leaves of this tree. After removing these caterpillars the tree then became infested by white aphids and associated sooty mold. I sprayed to rid the tree of these pests, but by this time the tree was looking pretty disheveled. Due to these pests the tree did not grow as much in 2019 as it did in 2018.
The Sugarberry has characteristic branches in winter - small spurs on the main branches look like thorns.
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Sugarberry (early July 2021)
Sugarberry (early July 2020)
Sugarberry (end of June 2019)
Sugarberry (July 2018)
Sugarberry (July 2017)
Sugarberry (November 2016)
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