Third season in the same size pot? It is probably very seriously root bound, suffering from a lack of nutrients and water stressed, both from being root bound and the potting media diminishing so unable to retain any moisture.

I'm actually impressed it is still alive :-)

2nd in the same pot, I wanted to pull it out to add fresh soil or re pot it but it doesn’t feel strong enough to pull out without it all falling apart, I will try to get it out in one piece to freshen it up.

Not a good time of year to do that!! Wait until fall and it drops its leaves. In the meantime, keep it properly watered and fertilize every week with a half strength liquid or water soluble fertilizer.

Would be a lot happier if planted in the ground. Is there a reason you can't do so?

give us a pic of the whole plant and the pot ...

if a watering issue is possible.. get it out of direct sun ... especially during the heat of the day ...

and watering issues includes too much plant in too small a pot.. improper media.. or worn out ... inability to drain as trees prefer ... etc ...

ken

I have not planted it in the ground because it gets hot out here so I want to give it time to grow strong enough to handle the heat before planting it in its permanent spot, I live in Southern California, Inland area. I chose this species because its said to do well in the Texas heat. The soil level has came down a lot since I first planted it, I tried to take it out to add soil earlier in the year but It didnt feel like it would stay together yet.