Category Archives: Trees

Sometimes I Just Have To …

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“The Iconic Japanese Maple”
Portland Japanese Garden

I usually am not drawn to that special iconic scene when I visit various “natural beauties.” But, sometimes I just must create an image. This iconic Japanese maple overlooks the main pond at the Portland Japanese Garden. It is the same tree that I photographed from beneath the branches in my previous posting. Over the years, I have haphazardly made a collection of images of this tree from my various visits to the garden. I have photographed it in different seasons, different times of day, different types of light, different weather conditions, and from many different perspectives. Most times, it is the first place I stop when I enter the garden. It is time for me to get serious and create a selective set of images that interprets this beautiful work of nature through my eyes.

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Under the Branches

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“Signature Japanese Maple”
Portland Japanese Garden

Every time I visit the Portland Japanese Garden, I stop by and look under the branches of the signature Japanese maple that overlooks the main pond area. I get a completely different abstract view of the garden looking through the branches and leaves.

This star attraction is meticulously pruned to create the maple’s beautiful structure. The environment in the Portland garden is perfect for Japanese maples and their delicate pruned structure. In our Central Washington Heatherwood garden, we don’t the same luxury. Because of the harsh direct sunlight, we need to keep a heavy layer of leaves on the maples to protect them. We can still have a similar overall shape, but not the delicate loose layering of maples in a less harsh environment.

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To Aspire For

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“Grand Overview”
Portland Japanese Garden

Summertime in a Japanese garden is a texture of shades of green with an occasional hint of subdued color. It is a combined texture of rounded and vertical shapes. Here in the Portland Japanese Garden, every spot is filled in with various points of interest. Various shrubs and ground covers provide the understory. Different species of Japanese maples are the primary base of interest. Tall conifers are the backdrop for this overview scene of the garden.

As I sit and look over our Heaterwood Japanese garden, I let my imagination flow and dream what our garden may be for future generations to enjoy.

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In Search of Wine on a HOT Summer Day!

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“Oregon Wine Country”
Dundee Hills, Oregon

It was a hot 90 degree day as we traveled around the Dundee Hills above the Willamette Valley. As we drove between wineries we enjoyed the beautiful scenes in the wine country. The sky was bright without a cloud. Rows and rows of grape vines spread across the hills. We saw this huge live oak on a crest of a hill and just had to stop and enjoy the bucolic countryside. And, the wine was wonderful!!!

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Looking Up

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“Tree Abstract”
Yakima Arboretum, Washington

I have a habit of standing near the trunk of large trees and following the limbs up to the sky. I almost always find an interesting abstract if I twist around a bit to get just the right composition. One time back in Peace Valley Park near Doylestown, PA, I slipped standing on a log and fell into the crotch of the tree and got stuck. Luckily after several minutes, I was able to wriggle myself free. I am not quite as persistent to get the right angle these days!

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Finding His Place

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“Old Fogey In Early Morning Sun”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Our “Old Fogey” pine was planted earlier this spring to frame the top part of the waterfall. His head and arms are reaching toward the falling water. They seem to be stretching out for the sun’s gentle early morning rays. We patiently will give him time to find his place in the garden.

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A Place to Rest

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“Adirondack Settee”
Heatherwood Woodland

We added this Adirondack settee to our woodland garden area this spring. It is located at a corner of the woodland path framed in by several redbuds and Korean lilacs. From this point, we have views looking east and north through the developing woodland. Trees and shrubs will grow to shield this spot from the neighborhood road on the west. To date, we have 3 birch trees, 6 standard maples, 7 Japanese maples, 6 dogwoods, 1 oak, 1 ginkgo and a selection of conifers. We have filled in the understory with various perennials, viburnums, winterberries, rhododendrons, elderberries, buckthorns, and other shrubs. Next year we will be adding ground covers.

“Eastern View Through Woodland”

Looking east through the redbud lined path, we have a nice view of the bottom of the Cherry Allee and perennial garden. The bare spot on the distant hillside was where our historic irrigation flume stood for one hundred years. In a few more years the trees shrubs along the garden ridge should grow tall enough to cover the remaining scar.

“Northern View Through Woodland”

Looking north from the settee, we follow the path through the woodland up to the northern abutment of Selah Ridge. The understory is still sparse. It shouldn’t take long to start to fill in as we plant additional ground covers.

In the coming years this spot will be a wonderful place to sit and take a break to enjoy the surrounding little piece of nature!. Heck, it is a good spot now! We enjoyed a peaceful cup of morning coffee here today.


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Necking Down

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“Zelkova Neck”
Heatherwood Lower Lawn

One way we separate parts of Heatherwood is to narrow a section of our lawn down to create a pathway between sections. We have placed various shrubs and trees to develop chute or tunnel-like divisions. For this “neck” we have planted a hedge of spirea which will mature at about 4 feet wide and high. In addition, we have added two Wireless Zelkova trees to anchor separation. When they mature, their top branches will flow over the lawn and meet, creating a tunnel like feeling. The two lawn areas will be shielded from each other. A garden stroller will move from one open lawn area through the tunnel to a new surprise as the the view again opens up to a different part of the garden.

It will take years for Heatherwood’s plantings to reach the mature state that is described above. I close my eyes and smile as I dream about my vision of what the garden will be. But most important, I open my eyes, take a deep breath and enjoy the moment of the wonderful surroundings and search for what is around the next bend.

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Handkerchiefs Scattered on the Ground

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“Dove Tree Bracts”
Heronswood, Kingston, WA

Many people seeing these white handkerchief-looking things lying on the ground and shrubs do not have any idea what they are. Getting closer, they look like a large white leaf. They aren’t. They are actually flower bracts from a Dove tree (Davidia involucrata).

I first encountered a Dove tree, sometimes called a Handkerchief tree, on a garden tour in Pennsylvania. Karen and I became transfixed on a huge tree with all of these handkerchief-looking things hanging down. A breeze came up and the air was filled with handkerchiefs fluttering down. It was quite a sight. We made notes to put it on our “bucket list” to add to our Fountainville garden. We never found one.

When I started to establish my wish list for my Selah garden, I chose several of Karen and my favorite trees. A Dove tree was one of those on the top of my list. I still have not located one in our Central Washington local area. When I saw this tree at Heronswood, my interest perked up again. I think I have just the right spot for one in our woodland garden.

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Welcome to the Forest

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“Alder Grove”
Heronswood, Kingston, WA

This bright little alder grove welcomed me into Heronswood’s dark timber forest dominated by tall western cedars. Filtered light trickled through the whitish-grey tree trunks down to the lush green forest floor. A pink rhododendron provided an additional highlight. The forest called out “Welcome!”

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