Sometimes it dies like my little pawpaw tree while a few feet away this happens:

Granted it is a very easy to please Rhus genus (Sumac) tree. But it still drives the point home: you can provide that absolute ideal habitat for a plant but ultimately you are at nature’s mercy. Meanwhile other similar plants pop up in less than ideal conditions like sidewalk cracks, compacted gravel, etc.

Unfortunately, this is right against my little temporary cabin so it will have to be culled. But Sumac trees are invaluable in terms of ecological importance. I actually have a post written entirely about Sumac trees but it is waiting until I can capture some decent photos to be published.