Three hundred major specimen trees were planted six years ago. Each seemed small and isolated, alone in the field. But no more. A milestone has been reached.
Walking across the field last evening, I came across two scarlet Oaks, growing together and touching. It's the first time any of the specimen trees has joined with another. It will take another century or two to appear, but the intended result is starting to show.
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| 2011. Leaves at the end of the Scarlet Oak branches start to touch. |
Placed closely to form a quick visual mass the Scarlet Oaks, Liquidambers, Walnuts, Golden Elms and London Planes are planted in groups of not less than twenty of each variety
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| 2011. The trees above are, left to right, Scarlett oak, Golden Elm, Scarlet Oak, Liquidamber. |
It started as bare ground and tough ground at that. Just an inch of turf with river gravel beneath. No nutrients and doesn't hold water. Every single tree has it's own dripper irrigation system.
This is how it was in late 2005 six years ago. The bright green tree guards in the distance mark the oaks that have now grown so well.
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| 2005. New trees. London plane in front. Golden Elm to the left. Scarlet to the middle and right. |
The grass was short back then. Before we fenced the rabbits out.
In the coming years you may have a problem with wind. Actually given the gravel, you WILL have a problem. You will need to undercroft plant out about thirty yards from the outer edge with native shrubs. The trick is not to prevent the wind blowing through the canopy but to prevent a high-low situation developing where the trees are knocked by an inrush. This planting doesn't need to be a block, but it does need to create an eddy.
ReplyDeleteIt is a true charge when a scheme comes together
Yes. It is great to see the start of the start of a grand plan. We have hit the first step.
ReplyDeleteOf course it never finishes. A couple of hundred years from now it will still be developing. I might not be around to ensure it's right --- but I think I can hold on for a while yet.
Incidently Vince. What is the proper name of that feature where you get a distant glimpse of the house, as you approach. But then it's concealed as as you get nearer?
On the term, I'm not certain I ever knew. But 'phased framing transit belvedere(s)' will do the job. And if you say it with sufficient authority you'll have the experts nodding sagely. Any two will do also.
ReplyDeleteMy point about the wind break is to create turbulence before the wind hits the planting you want to keep. So you force the tree into doing what the Poplars do naturally. Think the keel on a sail boat.
It will be wonderful a gift for future generations.
ReplyDeleteFor the ages. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteI am delighted you found the persimmon post interesting, I replied direct but delivery failed!
ReplyDeleteLindylou. thanks for the heads up on my former email address. I've done some housekeeping and my correct email is now there. theresa.kerry.laptop@miramare.co.nz
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