Mountain laurel?

[cousin jw]

I would like to ask the Forums help in getting the proper I.D. of this bush. I have been told that this large bush is a mountain laurel. These bushes grow along the creek on my deer property in Paulding county Georgia. This property is north and west of Atlanta. These bushes stay green year round and they bloom in the spring. The leaves are thicker than leaves on the deciduous trees on the property. The bush grows to be taller than an adult but I have not seen any branches bigger than a mans wrist. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If more photos are needed please let me know and I will take more photos and post them promptly. 

  

 

[WDH]

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=52

Yes, that is it. 

[mesquite buckeye]

Loves acidic soils. My ex wife's parents had several of them that were left from the woods when the property was developed growing in their back yard in south New Jersey. Really nice bushes. 8) 8) 8)

[clww]

That's it!
Our road address at the cabin is, "Laurel Gap Trail".