I have a new garden maintenance contract for a Japanese style garden with two Styrax japonica trees in it. One had some bare branches (one had a couple of leaves; none on the other that I saw) in the late spring, the other didn't.

Otherwise, both leafed out and flowered. One -- the bare branch containing tree - now has a lot of sprouts coming from the base. Is basal sprouting normal for this tree, or would this suggest some kind of stress to the tree such as root damage?

The trees were planted late last summer, I believe. The property has irrigation. By the way, there is a 2 inch or so gravel mulch to the crown of all plant material in case it is relevant.

thanks.

Re: your question about basal sprouting, I don't know. But I found the linked reference where someone speculates a possible chilling insufficiency related to late leafing.
Re; Styrax japonica in Houston area

Thanks for the most interesting link on S. japonica. I didn't realize it was a Raulston introduction.

I should have specified more climate info. Zone 6 - NY state near NYC and not far from coast, and we had the coldest, snowiest winter in recent years last year, following about 2 years of drought. The tree is installed in a walled garden with 2-3 inches of gravel mulch over it (in case that affects drainage or oxygen levels) and we had a very wet spring.