A rather sickly ash?

Oh, flora_uk, I hope not....it's right beside my garage and not nearly in a place where that could be allowed to grow!

I've already had to cut down a beautiful holly that was growing under the foundation of the house and really don't want to have to take out something else!

The gardens have been horrible neglected, so I'm struggling to get them under control while saving what I can.

Don't take my word for it. Georgia isn't exactly my area but there's something very familiar about those twigs. Someone else will be along soon to add their opinion.

Thanks, flora_uk, I'll keep an eye on it and see if we can get it a little more healthy to get a better ID. It's definitely woody, though, which is why I included some of the stem in the photo. Those twigs were familiar to me as well, but I can't place them.

Last week, we cut down the 8 ft. tall native privet trying to consume the back yard and I found a miniature rose bush under all those weeds, just begging for some sunshine!