Landscape architect Peter Bowyer reports on how he and volunteers recently completed a pruning project near the Tori Gate.
The image sequence below shows the problem and the solution for the corkscrew Hollywood Juniper at the Oakland-Fukuoka sister City Garden.
This tree is located at the far right edge of the hill & pond garden that I curate. The layout circulates viewers gaze rightward from water source, through two cascades and ponds, then through the Torii to the pond on the backside pof the hill, through the grove of trees and ultimately the Garden Center Building.
The corkscrew Hollywood Juniper tree's function in the larger garden composition is, in conjunction with the path, to turn visitors's attention leftward and onward as described above.
The problems (Before image) with this tree are, cheifly, that the current apex directs us rightward. Also the front has too many branches, obscuring the outstanding trunk and presenting a dense wall even when sheared.
The image sequence below shows the problem and the solution for the corkscrew Hollywood Juniper at the Oakland-Fukuoka sister City Garden.
This tree is located at the far right edge of the hill & pond garden that I curate. The layout circulates viewers gaze rightward from water source, through two cascades and ponds, then through the Torii to the pond on the backside pof the hill, through the grove of trees and ultimately the Garden Center Building.
The corkscrew Hollywood Juniper tree's function in the larger garden composition is, in conjunction with the path, to turn visitors's attention leftward and onward as described above.
The problems (Before image) with this tree are, cheifly, that the current apex directs us rightward. Also the front has too many branches, obscuring the outstanding trunk and presenting a dense wall even when sheared.
The solution (Removals image) is to cut the rigtwad portion of the current apex out, remove many branches for horizontal and vertical spacing, and continue to train a longer extending key branch (on left side halfway up the canopy - needs a left-gesturing arrow) working with the leftward apex branch.
All these cuts were tarped, then marked with neckties made from strips of PVC tarp at our October 5 Mock-up pruning event. (Marked Cuts image).
The masking and marking of these cuts will ensure all learn how to do it right.
The projected end result sketch was generated by layering the remaining frontal view foliage, combined with a flipped image of the woody trunk and branches visible on the backside of the tree ( Back Flipped image)
The projected end result sketch was generated by layering the remaining frontal view foliage, combined with a flipped image of the woody trunk and branches visible on the backside of the tree ( Back Flipped image)
Add a little sketch art shadowing of the wood and birds aflight for 3-dimensional feeling. Add path circulation vignet for "big picture" intersection of pruning and garden layout. (After pruning & training image).
And here follows the images and captions after carrying out the above plan:
All went as hoped for.
The few, the brave: Evelyn, Alex, Ross (myself and Michael not pictured). It took about 14 hours including frequent conversations with passers-by. They all loved it! Peter Thomas Bowyer DBA Garden Form & Composition CA Landscape Contractor License 712862 APA Certified Aesthetic Pruner 007 North American Japanese Garden Association Board of Directors Merritt College Pruning Club Treasurer Oakland-Fukuoka Sister City Association Garden Lead (Fukuoka and Oakland) Honors degrees in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design & Construction, and Community Studies. (510) 658-4941 landline, (510) 517-9867 mobile Economists, the UN, the World Bank and Climate Activists all advocate for "Carbon Pricing" ( CCL advocates for a carbon tax on fossil fuels, with a rebate to American households). PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE https://citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/ |