Dwarf Tree Stonecrop

Dwarf tree stonecrop is a branching Mexican succulent shrub with a thick, short trunk, papery peeling bark and seasonally deciduous leaves. [Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:275803-1/general-information) accepts Sedum oxypetalum. Its tree-like structure makes it quite different from the low mat-forming stonecrops. [Cacti.com’s growing account](https://shop.cacti.com/landscape-succulents/sedum-oxypetalum/) gives ordinary plants around 60–90 cm tall and 90–120 cm wide, with some reaching about 1.2 m. Provide sun to light shade and very freely draining soil. Occasional summer watering is recommended; persistent winter wetness can reduce cold tolerance. It can be grown as a small sculptural container subject. Seasonal leaf loss is normal, rather than evidence that it is an evergreen groundcover. The [San Luis Obispo County January 2014 plant list](https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/planning-building/forms-documents/environmental-forms-and-documents/plants-information/county-approved-plant-list) explicitly names Sedum oxypetalum and assigns F2. F2 identifies its most fire-retardant plants for the 30–70-foot band from a structure. The category is source-specific and is not a guarantee against burning. The county requires suitable soil moisture, uncrowded planting, removal of dead material, separate planting groups and prevention of ground-to-canopy fuel connections.