Cultivating My Inner Tree

Quite often my clients struggle with inherited gardens that include desirable plants that are just in the wrong location. What was once a small shrub near a foundation may have grown into a small tree that now encroaches on windows and building sidings becoming access paths for rats to rooftops. A random tree may be growing in the middle a lawn where its bark is suceptible to the wrath of the lawnmower. Really the list goes on. So the question becomes what to do about these issues?

In some cases inappropriate pruning has been the solution. More than once I’ve visited a new client with overgrown trees near foundations. Rather than know they have the power to move the tree to a new location, the client (or the client’s mow-blow-go gardener) whacks away at the tree trying to “make it smaller”. This, as any of my clients who have taken pruning lessons knows, results in more problems than solutions. Random whacking removes one limb, replacing it with countless others that are weaker than the original. It doesn’t solve the problem. The rats can still use the ladder. The roots of the tree can continue to hump against the foundation. Surrounding walkways continue to heave. Siding continues to be compromised. Again, what should be done?

Ideally, in the first place, the garden designer should have selected an appropriate plant for an appropriate place. Too often longterm plant growth (along with exposure requirements and more) are ignored by designers (or installers). Since we’re looking at situations where the problem is already in place, the ideal solution is to move the wrong plant to the right place.

Moving a tree can be a daunting task. They’re heavy. They’re alive. They’re fragile. Still, they’re movable. In some cases moving a tree means removing it altogether. If it’s been damaged significantly it may require more renovation work than you’re likely to perform. As well, it may never recover from past damage. If it is in a location where hardscape makes it impossible to remove the rootball, then realistically it won’t survive transplanting. However, if the tree is in decent shape and you have the right tools for the job, moving it to a new location is possible. Don’t have a new location for it yourself? Consider donating it on craigslist or to a local park instead. Remember, this is a living being that contributes to the overall well-being of the planet!

In some cases a tree is just too big to move by hand. But, if access is available, there are tree services that can safely and effectively move your tree for you. Companies like Washington-state-based Big Tree Supply specialize in supplying and moving big trees.

In other cases trees can be moved by hand using the right tools, enough people and doing it at the right time of year. In most cases the right time of year means moving a tree in winter, but late enough in the winter that the ground isn’t frozen. Deciduous trees are dormant this time of year. Evergreens are photosynthesizing, but their growth is significantly curtailed in winter. Yes, finding the balance between moving a plant while it is dormant but while the ground is not frozen can be tenuous. But it is possible. Too, it is possible to move trees after they break bud in spring, but it is harder on the plant.

If a tree is a late winter/early spring bloomer, finding the right time to transplant has another obstacle to overcome — flower buds. Flowering takes an enormous amount of energy from a plant. Too, it uses many of the same nutrients that the plant uses to maintain overall health and to establish new root growth. So, it may behoove you to move a late winter blooming tree, like a star magnolia, right after flowering but before the spring growth surge begins. If the tree is forming fruit, consider knocking them off to encourage the plant to focus its growth underground.

Now that you’ve read a variety of caveots around transplanting your tree, you must be anxious to actually find out how to make the move. Well, tune in soon for part two: Garden Coach on Moving a Dormant Stewartia Tree. I promise, it’s coming soon!

For the past several years I have participated with the Northwest Flower and Garden Show as a volunteer, an attendee, and as an award-winning show garden designer. This year I’m looking forward to attending the show and volunteering once again.

The construction of the show begins at the Seattle Convention Center on Saturday, February 16th. By mid-day Tuesday, February 19th the show gardens will be completed and the judges will assess the results. On the evening of February 19th, the show floors open for the annual Arboretum Foundation fundraising gala event. This is a wonderful way to see the show gardens up close — with a glass of wine and fabulous catered meal in hand. Plus, it’s less crowded, fancier, and a great way to raise money for the Seattle Arboretum foundation. Yes, I’ll be there!

Bright and early on Wednesday the 20th I’ll be on the show floor “hosting” the WSNLA show garden for a few hours. Because I am a member of WSNLA, this is a garden that I try to help with each year.

Anyone who loves gardening or just loves looking at magnificent gardens will benefit from this show. Buy tickets early to save on entry costs.

And, if you’d like to learn more about the show, visit the show Flora blog where I’ve contributed some posts and have been interviewed by their regular writer for some of her other forthcoming articles.

I managed to get a ton of work done this morning, so I had time to really spend some great time with Mom this afternoon. I packed up a picnic lunch, threw in several garden design magazines, the camera, and the dog leash. Then we headed over to the arboretum. Finally we had a sunny, warm day in August. Geez! I thought summer had left already before today.

First I drove mom through arboretum drive to give her a feel for the space & see if anything popped out at her as a spot she wanted to visit. She had brought her sketch book, so I was ready to accomodate any need to sketch that came to her. As we drove, she pointed out a raccoon trolling thru the trees near the road. We ended up returning to the Graham Visitor center to park & then mosied up Azalea way looking for a nice spot in dappled shade.

At one point I suddenly had the urge to go up hill. I suggested we go that way to try to get off the main trail & find a secluded spot. When the hill ended, I looked forward & dead ahead was an owl on the ground. I assume it was fairly young, and I hope it wasn’t injured. I didn’t want to get too close & really disturb it. I did snap some photos from afar, which I’ll share later.

After the owl photos, we detoured off the route i just had to take and ended up back on Azalea way. We found a lovely meadow-like spot under a cherry tree. Where we spread out sarongs, unpacked lunch & magazines. We sat, munched, flipped through magazines & chatted for a couple of hours. Then we meandered back toward the car. On the way through the Japanese Maple garden, a Blue Heron lifted off right beside us (yes, a surprise treat) and flew away. It was beautiful.

Now we’re off to change for yoga! (And yes, I’m guessing how many miles we walked & how long it took.)

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 08/13/2007
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 1:00:00.00
• Distance: 2 miles
• Average Pace: 30:00/mile

If you’ve been reading about the granite boulder project in our garden & want to see pix, here’s the link: http://www.gardenhelp.org/gardening/granite-stone-seats-a-team-effort/

I’m pretty well on track with the diet again today. I did give into a chocolate brownie (from Boston, MA no less) last night after having an over 75% on-diet day otherwise. Today, I’m doing pretty great again. (Bonus points available for feeding 5 people breakfast on the diet — with a bit of butter, toast & granola for them, but about 90% of what was consumed by 5 people was from w/in 100 miles of Seattle.)

Things I’m not giving up & counting in my 25%:

• Coffee. I use about 2 T-4 T a day for espressos, so not much in the volume %. (I did find a Bainbridge farm for milk — at $7.00 per 1/2 gallon, it better be dang good!)
• Black, decaf iced tea. I use about 3 bags per day, so about 3-4T a day for a pitcher, of which Bob drinks some.
• Grains. Toast, rice & oatmeal are going to sneak in now & again.
• Sweets: I save a small % to indulge

What I’m learning about cooking from this (so far):

• Cooking & making salad dressings with hazelnut oil is pretty great. The oil is good for high temp cooking & doesn’t taste overly hazelnutty in anything. It is slightly sweet.
• I’m getting much more creative with fresh herbs and spicy peppers from the garden. This is allowing me to refrain from using lemon (use lemon verbena, lemon grass, citrus thyme instead), black pepper (a tiny hot pepper goes a long way), salt (enough other herbs & we’re good with out added salt.)
• Cheese & yogurt adds saltiness to dishes, like boiled potatoes & scrambled eggs.
• Vinegar (no surprise but a good reminder) is a good sub for salt. The tanginess makes up for it in many things. (I have yet to find a local vinegar, but did have someone try to teach me how to make it from scratch today. I will find a local supplier soon…anyone know one?)
• Honey sweetens iced tea just fine

All of these lessons under my belt = I haven’t picked up the pepper grinder, the sugar spoon or the salt grinder all weekend. I’m getting more creative, and our food is wonderful.

I did hit the Ballard Farmer’s Market this morning to get fresh eggs, a supply of steaks, chickens, chops, cheese, more potatoes, lettuce, and expensive milk. I did not find a grain or bread supplier, which was a bummer. I will be using my 25% outside the area as noted above. I realize I could live without these things, but I believe being aware is a big part — at least for me. I know I could live without these things, but I also know I don’t have to live without them. (Back to life being about quality & such.)

The guys worked on the rocks some more today & most are in place. I will post pix later. I’m too tired to deal with it right now. I pulled some weeds but didn’t do an awful lot. My hip’s feeling a bit better & with Bob’s help my office is reconfigured more erogonomically (Yay! I’m back on the Exercise ball chair!).

Cool thing in the garden today: A flock of tiny birds was in the waterfeature. By in I mean IN it. Splashing about like crazy. It was so fun to see.