Toward the end of January, in northwest Louisiana, most of our deciduous trees have dropped their leaves. It's that time of year when the evergreen species are tasked with enlivening our oft-times dreary landscapes. In Louisiana, we are fortunate to have the laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana).
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In February of 2018, we collected four laurel cherry seedling volunteers from the lower pond and transplanted them to the south side of the arboretum. Today two (presumably the hardier specimens) remain. They are each appoximately 5 years old, but have reached considerably different sizes.
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Pictured center, we see a laurel cherry. For comparison, a 6-foot ladder is standing next to it. This laurel cherry currently grows in full sun; however, for the first several years, this laurel cherry grew in the shade of an eastern red cedar. We removed that cedar in 2021. Today, the laurel cherry grows in full sun, toward the bottom of a gradual slope, a little up hill from the western flood plain.
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Leaves are beautifully green in mid-January. No signs of reproduction on this young tree.
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By contrast, this laurel cherry, also approximately 5 years of age, stands only about two and a half feet. Rather than developing a straight trunk, this laurel cherry is taking on the appearance of a small shrub, with four stems. We transplanted this young tree into full sun, where it has grown *up* in full sun, and when it rains, standing water is closer to its roots.
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