Friday, March 7, 2014
Cool Custom Water Box for Fire Pit Landscape Design
This custom water box is designed to have water surrounding the internal dry box which will be fitted with a Warming Trends Crossfire Burner. It will be finished with cinder blocks and garden accessories by a professional contractor.
Cool stuff.
Visit us online for more information on custom fire pits or call today. 1-877-556-5255.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
The Garden in October
October is one of my favorite times in the garden. The weather is pleasant and I find myself less manic than in spring. I enjoy the garden more now. As the plants prepare for dormancy, there is simply less for me to do. I’ll defer decisions about what to plant for dark winter evenings when green thoughts are necessary for my sanity. Now I move through the garden with a calm repose. The boxwood, yews, and espaliered firethorn get once last clip before the winter; sprawling summer annuals are cut back; and I make a few strategic transplants. Otherwise, I walk and look at the angled, autumnal light as it falls over the plants.
The garden is in its second year. Despite the fact that certain parts of the garden have an adolescent awkwardness, the garden is beginning to look a bit more established. As the garden settles into itself, I have a strange sensation that I’ve never felt before: the feeling of dominion.
“Dominion” is sort of an archaic, unfashionable sentiment, isn’t it? It reeks of colonialism and the idea of man controlling—even dominating—nature for profit. Not only is it a politically incorrect sentiment, but it is silly as well when applied to a tiny perennial border on a tenth of an acre lot. This is not Downtown Abbey, after all. But it is precisely what I feel. Two years of breaking the earth, planting, watering, re-planting, and endless gardening have resulted in the creation of a place that is anything but natural. I’m not simply a proud owner; I am the gardener who reigns over this plot. It is my dominion—not just a place, but an expression of identity and self.
That a garden can be an expression of identity is an interesting idea to me. The pre-modern man believed identity is a product of birth. You are who your father was, where you live, and what your social station is. In many ways, it is good that we’ve liberated identity from birthright. But modern man has perhaps too much power to dictate identity. We live in a post-authentic age. I have to remind myself that each time I participate in social media. Social media creates a seductive mirage, a watery image of our selves. Identity is not created by what you tweet, but what you do. What you create. What you love.
A slant of light shifts through the trees and illuminates a tall grass in my border. The October light is soft yet intense. The grass seems to glow from within, vibrating in incandescent ecstasy. I raise my hand to shield my eyes, but stop and instead stare into it. The intensity of the light makes my eyes water. Standing on the path, I try to absorb the moment. But just as quickly as it began, the sun slips again on the horizon and the moment is over. The grass turns a dull gray in the dusk.
It is enough though. I may have dominion over this plot, but the life that animates it is from beyond. I am grateful for a handful of luminous, radiant moments. They remind me who I am.
Beautiful Solid Black Granite Fire Pit
Warming Trends is now offering this beautiful solid black granite portable fire pit hearth. One of the sleekest on the market, it has a 35" outside diameter, 20" inside diameter by 19" high. It comes equipped with a 24" manual lit Crossfire Burner System, flex line, key valve, choice of grey and clear glass or mixed cubed granite blocks.
Please visit us online for more details or call today, 1-877-556-5255.
Do It Yourself Fire Pit Earth Bag Construction
When you put your mind to something, anything is possible, even for middle aged mid-western wives. Ilse Ackerman fell in love with fire pits while being entertained at a friend home, and decided she had to have one herself. Only Ilse didnt hire a contractor to come and install her fire pit, rather with the help of a few books, YouTube and her determination, she built a fire pit herself! The cool thing about Ilses fire pit is that it was constructed with unconventional and green building materials, earth bags. If you are unfamiliar with earth bags, they are low cost durable sacks filled with organic material like dirt, sand or gravel which are then stacked up like bricks.
After Ilse created a ring, she placed barbed wire between each level to keep the bags from shifting. After she had created the fire pit shape desired, she covered the entire think is chicken wire then coated it with concrete Spec mix.
After the concrete dried, she then finished off her fire pit with a dark Indian pink lime wash which is rot-proof and weather resistant.
The most impressive part of of Ilses home construction was that with the help of a YouTube video, she was able to run the gas lines herself out to her fire pit. Not only was Ilses home improvement project done by herself, but she pulled it off for under $1000.
Below is a video to help you if you decide to build your own fire pit, and please keep us in mind for all of your burning system needs.
Read More..
After Ilse created a ring, she placed barbed wire between each level to keep the bags from shifting. After she had created the fire pit shape desired, she covered the entire think is chicken wire then coated it with concrete Spec mix.
After the concrete dried, she then finished off her fire pit with a dark Indian pink lime wash which is rot-proof and weather resistant.
The most impressive part of of Ilses home construction was that with the help of a YouTube video, she was able to run the gas lines herself out to her fire pit. Not only was Ilses home improvement project done by herself, but she pulled it off for under $1000.
Below is a video to help you if you decide to build your own fire pit, and please keep us in mind for all of your burning system needs.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Stop and ask for directions
Im not a big believer in being critical - you can accomplish so much more with a bit of gentle encouragement. I also believe that the best way to learn is by trying, and then learning from your mistakes. But most times, its best to ask for advice before you start.
Ive been watching a new development busy growing over the last few months, and Ive even snuck in on occasion to take a closer look. Although its in the middle of an established suburb, with beautiful colonial houses, its simple, contemporary feel looks good, and I was looking forward to seeing how they would finish it off.
But its the finishing off that seems to have let the entire project down. To come so far, and then to do a half-baked job with the landscaping, makes the whole project look like a mess.
The planting on this front verge, really is a waste of time, energy and money. It would have been better off leaving the area as sand or weeds, or at the very least planting grass? All these plants would have looked great in a nursery in abundance. But to think that ±30 tiny plants will go any where towards covering the 60m2 of bare sand is a delusion.
None of them will spread out to cover the sand, or if they do, they will only cover the bare sand in about 50 years time. The pebbles will have disappeared into the sand in about a months time, and the pots will most likely be stolen in the next week. That all sounds quite cynical, but Ive seen this same scenario so many times.
I know that these are tough financial times at the moment, and you have to look for areas to save money, but the problem isnt about money at its core - its about a lack of accurate or realistic planning. The building industry in general, never gives accurate costs or time frames - in most cases, projects go over budget and time by about 20-30%.
The result is that there are always compromises. Sometimes its the finishes in the interior that are compromised, and most times its the landscaping. So the very aspects of a project, that should be its consummation, turns out to be its scarring.
In the case above, maybe there were not enough funds available to do any meaningful landscaping, but for a fraction of the cost of what has been spent on planting and materials, (that should, and probably will be pulled out and thrown away) the developer could have gotten some good advice and some thrifty solutions which could have transformed this development.
Instead, they have got a blight on their property, and a terrible first impression.
Ive been watching a new development busy growing over the last few months, and Ive even snuck in on occasion to take a closer look. Although its in the middle of an established suburb, with beautiful colonial houses, its simple, contemporary feel looks good, and I was looking forward to seeing how they would finish it off.
But its the finishing off that seems to have let the entire project down. To come so far, and then to do a half-baked job with the landscaping, makes the whole project look like a mess.
The planting on this front verge, really is a waste of time, energy and money. It would have been better off leaving the area as sand or weeds, or at the very least planting grass? All these plants would have looked great in a nursery in abundance. But to think that ±30 tiny plants will go any where towards covering the 60m2 of bare sand is a delusion.
None of them will spread out to cover the sand, or if they do, they will only cover the bare sand in about 50 years time. The pebbles will have disappeared into the sand in about a months time, and the pots will most likely be stolen in the next week. That all sounds quite cynical, but Ive seen this same scenario so many times.
I know that these are tough financial times at the moment, and you have to look for areas to save money, but the problem isnt about money at its core - its about a lack of accurate or realistic planning. The building industry in general, never gives accurate costs or time frames - in most cases, projects go over budget and time by about 20-30%.
The result is that there are always compromises. Sometimes its the finishes in the interior that are compromised, and most times its the landscaping. So the very aspects of a project, that should be its consummation, turns out to be its scarring.
In the case above, maybe there were not enough funds available to do any meaningful landscaping, but for a fraction of the cost of what has been spent on planting and materials, (that should, and probably will be pulled out and thrown away) the developer could have gotten some good advice and some thrifty solutions which could have transformed this development.
Instead, they have got a blight on their property, and a terrible first impression.
Lithocarpus Tanoak
Lithocarpus
Related to the Oak but evergreen and with erect rather than weeping flower spikes - this group of trees growing wild in eastern Asia and the west coast of the U.S has alot of value in the landscape and is much hardier on the east coast than many might expect.
Preferring fertile, neutral to acidic, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade;
they are very drought tolerant but are not salt tolerant and in colder climates prefer to be protected from cold drying winds. The Tan Oaks are not generally bothered by pests or disease. Propagation is from seed which is sown in autumn.
Lithocarpus chinensis
Fast growing to 40 feet in 20 years and fully hardy north to Raleigh, NC.
Lithocarpus cleistocarpus ( Closed Cup Tanoak )
A very attractive hardy columnar Tanbark Oak, this tree native to w Hupeh and Szechuan Province in China is fast growing ( to 27 feet in 12 years ) to an eventual size of 80 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter up to 3.3 feet.
Its very attractive, drooping blue green leaves grow to 12 x 4 inches, are evergreen and maintain their color all year. The leaves persist 4 or 5 years making for a very dense canopy.
It is also hardy north into zone 7a. Very easy to grow in both the southeast U.S. and Pacific Northwest. It thrives in sun or shade on just about any well drained soil. Drought tolerant but being that it begins new growth early in spring, it may be damaged by late spring frosts where they may occur.
A RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TREE!
Lithocarpus dealbatus
A medium size tree reaching up to 66 feet that is native to southern China, Bhutan, northeast India, N Laos, NE Burma, northern Thailand, Vietnam
Some records include: 13 years - 21 feet.
The ovate leaves are up to 5.5 x 2 inches.
Lithocarpus densiflorus ( Tanbark Oak )
A very large tree reaching 100 feet or more, that is native to the west coast of the U.S.from Oregon to central California. Some records include: 5 years - 8 feet; 20 years - 44 x 40 feet; largest on record - 210 x 73 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet. A very tall tree when grown in the forest; open grown trees are shorter and may be branched to the ground unless pruned. A few trees are known to grow in the British Isles, a sizeable one grows at the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens in Scotland.
The prominently veined, evergreen leaves are leathery, stiff and toothed and reach up to 8 x 3 inches in size. They are rusty hairy beneath at first turning to gray-green above and whitish beneath. There is a very attractive cutleaf form of Tanbark Oak that is equally fast growing and can be grown from cuttings.
The very small, whitish male flowers are held in slender, erect spikes up to 5 inches in length in mid summer.
The small, oval fruits are up to an inch in length. The acorns of this tree were a staple food of some native North American Indian tribes and are among the best tasting of all acorns.
The yellowish twigs are densely fuzzy.
The bark is red-brown, thick and furrowed.
It grows best in Mediterranean climates and actually dislikes summer moisture though requires a winter wet season and a yearly annual precip over 40 inches. Despite all that, there are reports of it doing well along the eastern Seabord. The Tanbark Oak thrives in sun or partial shade and can get some leaf burn at 5 F and severe dieback under 0 F.
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
* photo taken by R.S. Bacon @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Lithocarpus echinoides
Very closely related to Lithocarpus densifolius and is sometimes considered a dwarf form of it. Usually small and scrubby; very old plants on ideal sites are much larger though still shrubs. The largest on record is 10 x 40 feet.
Lithocarpus edulis ( Nakai Tanoak )
A large tree to 70 feet or more that is native to China. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 2 feet; largest on record - 180 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 10 feet; largest in Georgia - 40 x 56 x 1.4 feet.
The Nakai Tanoak is an excellent windbreak and shade tree.
The leaves are up to 9 x 3 inches in size and are very glossy, very dark green above and gray green beneath. They are narrow elliptic, leathery and prominently veined.
The very small, creamy white flowers are borne in axilliary, slender, upright catkins up to an inch in length in late summer.
The fruits are pointed acorns up to an inch in length that take 2 years to ripen.
The blue-gray bark is smooth.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 and though extremely rare, it really does thrive in the Mid Atlantic and southeast U.S.
Lithocarpus glaber
A small tree native to eastern China and Japan that can reach up to 20 feet or more. Some records include: largest on record - 50 x 15 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.2 feet; largest in North Carolina - 20 feet.
The leaves are tough and leathery, glossy green and smooth above and covered in fine white hairs below. The leaves sometimes have a few marginal teeth near the apex.
They are up to 6 x 2 inches in size.
The young shoots are downy.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
Lithocarpus hancei
Largest on record - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The ovate to elliptic leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches.
Lithocarpus henryi ( Henry Tanoak )
The evergreen Henry Tanbark Oak is a very beautiful, long lived rounded tree native to China that should be much more commonly grown in the Mid Atlantic.
Its leaves grow to 13 x 3 inches and are leathery, heavily veined, elliptic and pointed. They are glossy dark green above and whitish below and keep their color the entire year. The bold leaves are very attractive and tropical looking.
The bark is gray with lighter grey lenticels and shallow orange brown fissures at the base.
The tiny creamy white flowers are in slender, upright catkins up to 8 inches in length in August.
The fruits are rounded acorns up to 0.65 inches in length that are borne in dense clusters.
This drought tolerant tree is hardy north to zone 5b and loves hot summers making it well adapted to the Maryland region. It grows up to 3 feet in a year to an eventual size of 80 x 80 feet with a trunk diamter of 3.2 ft.
* photo taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum
* photos taken on 4th of July @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Lithocarpus kawakamii
A medium size tree native to mountains of Taiwan.
Some records include: 14 years - 17 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches; largest on record - trunk diameter of 28 inches.
The leaves are oblong to 10 x 3 inches.
Lithocarpus magalophyllus
A medium size tree native to southeast China and northeast Vietnam.
Reaches a maximum height of 82 feet with large foliage, reaching up to 12 x 5 inches.
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
A tall tree to 80 feet or more that is native to the eastern Himalayas. Some records include: 20 years - 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches; tallest on record - 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet or more; largest on England - 60 feet.
The leathery elliptic leaves are up to 9 x 3 inches and are glossy green above and silver below.
Hardy north to zone 9
Lithocarpus variolosus ( Varied Leaf Tanoak )
A rare tree native to the Subalpine zone in the mountains of southwest Sichuan and northwest Yunnan, China and nearby parts of Vietnam.
It grows pyramidal in habit with horizontal side branches and reaches up to 66 x 30 feet at maturity.
The long lived, evergreen, broadly ovate leaves are typically up to 6 x 2 inches though are sometimes as much as 9.5 x 3 inches in size.
Hardy north to zone 7, it thrives in sun or shade, alkaline or acidic soil but likely prefers the Pacific Northwest over the hot humid southeast. It begins new growth early in spring and may be damaged by late spring frosts where they may occur.
Propagation is from seed and semiripe wood cuttings.
Related Trees
A genus of 2 trees closely related to Lithocarpus, both which are native to the western U.S.
Chrysolepis chrysophylla ( Golden Chinquapin )
A large tree reaching over 80 feet that is native to coastal Oregon and California. Some records include: largest on record - 150 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet; longest lived - 500 years.
The leathery, pointed oval leaves are golden beneath.
The tiny yellow-green flowers are borne in catkins during summer.
They are followed by clusters of edible red-brown nuts that are encased.
The attractive bark is red-brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in sun or partial shade on just about any well drained soil.
Propagation is from sowing fresh seed which does germinate better if scarified.
While it does not grow in the eastern U.S., large trees already occur in parts of the British Isles where it has been planted.
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Chrysolepis sempervirens
Similar to Golden Chinquapin except in miniature, rarely reaching over 10 feet. Some records include: 15 years - 10 x 10 feet; largest on record - 17 x 19 feet.
The leaves are also much smaller, only to 3 inches.
Hardy zones 3 to 7. It is an alpine plant that likes full sun and sandy soil and is difficult to grow in cultivation.
Read More..
Related to the Oak but evergreen and with erect rather than weeping flower spikes - this group of trees growing wild in eastern Asia and the west coast of the U.S has alot of value in the landscape and is much hardier on the east coast than many might expect.
Preferring fertile, neutral to acidic, well drained soil in full sun or partial shade;
they are very drought tolerant but are not salt tolerant and in colder climates prefer to be protected from cold drying winds. The Tan Oaks are not generally bothered by pests or disease. Propagation is from seed which is sown in autumn.
Lithocarpus chinensis
Fast growing to 40 feet in 20 years and fully hardy north to Raleigh, NC.
Lithocarpus cleistocarpus ( Closed Cup Tanoak )
A very attractive hardy columnar Tanbark Oak, this tree native to w Hupeh and Szechuan Province in China is fast growing ( to 27 feet in 12 years ) to an eventual size of 80 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter up to 3.3 feet.
Its very attractive, drooping blue green leaves grow to 12 x 4 inches, are evergreen and maintain their color all year. The leaves persist 4 or 5 years making for a very dense canopy.
It is also hardy north into zone 7a. Very easy to grow in both the southeast U.S. and Pacific Northwest. It thrives in sun or shade on just about any well drained soil. Drought tolerant but being that it begins new growth early in spring, it may be damaged by late spring frosts where they may occur.
A RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TREE!
Lithocarpus dealbatus
A medium size tree reaching up to 66 feet that is native to southern China, Bhutan, northeast India, N Laos, NE Burma, northern Thailand, Vietnam
Some records include: 13 years - 21 feet.
The ovate leaves are up to 5.5 x 2 inches.
Lithocarpus densiflorus ( Tanbark Oak )
A very large tree reaching 100 feet or more, that is native to the west coast of the U.S.from Oregon to central California. Some records include: 5 years - 8 feet; 20 years - 44 x 40 feet; largest on record - 210 x 73 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet. A very tall tree when grown in the forest; open grown trees are shorter and may be branched to the ground unless pruned. A few trees are known to grow in the British Isles, a sizeable one grows at the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens in Scotland.
The prominently veined, evergreen leaves are leathery, stiff and toothed and reach up to 8 x 3 inches in size. They are rusty hairy beneath at first turning to gray-green above and whitish beneath. There is a very attractive cutleaf form of Tanbark Oak that is equally fast growing and can be grown from cuttings.
The very small, whitish male flowers are held in slender, erect spikes up to 5 inches in length in mid summer.
The small, oval fruits are up to an inch in length. The acorns of this tree were a staple food of some native North American Indian tribes and are among the best tasting of all acorns.
The yellowish twigs are densely fuzzy.
The bark is red-brown, thick and furrowed.
It grows best in Mediterranean climates and actually dislikes summer moisture though requires a winter wet season and a yearly annual precip over 40 inches. Despite all that, there are reports of it doing well along the eastern Seabord. The Tanbark Oak thrives in sun or partial shade and can get some leaf burn at 5 F and severe dieback under 0 F.
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
* photo taken by R.S. Bacon @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Lithocarpus echinoides
Very closely related to Lithocarpus densifolius and is sometimes considered a dwarf form of it. Usually small and scrubby; very old plants on ideal sites are much larger though still shrubs. The largest on record is 10 x 40 feet.
Lithocarpus edulis ( Nakai Tanoak )
A large tree to 70 feet or more that is native to China. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 2 feet; largest on record - 180 feet in height with a trunk diameter of 10 feet; largest in Georgia - 40 x 56 x 1.4 feet.
The Nakai Tanoak is an excellent windbreak and shade tree.
The leaves are up to 9 x 3 inches in size and are very glossy, very dark green above and gray green beneath. They are narrow elliptic, leathery and prominently veined.
The very small, creamy white flowers are borne in axilliary, slender, upright catkins up to an inch in length in late summer.
The fruits are pointed acorns up to an inch in length that take 2 years to ripen.
The blue-gray bark is smooth.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 and though extremely rare, it really does thrive in the Mid Atlantic and southeast U.S.
Lithocarpus glaber
A small tree native to eastern China and Japan that can reach up to 20 feet or more. Some records include: largest on record - 50 x 15 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.2 feet; largest in North Carolina - 20 feet.
The leaves are tough and leathery, glossy green and smooth above and covered in fine white hairs below. The leaves sometimes have a few marginal teeth near the apex.
They are up to 6 x 2 inches in size.
The young shoots are downy.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
Lithocarpus hancei
Largest on record - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot.
The ovate to elliptic leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches.
Lithocarpus henryi ( Henry Tanoak )
The evergreen Henry Tanbark Oak is a very beautiful, long lived rounded tree native to China that should be much more commonly grown in the Mid Atlantic.
Its leaves grow to 13 x 3 inches and are leathery, heavily veined, elliptic and pointed. They are glossy dark green above and whitish below and keep their color the entire year. The bold leaves are very attractive and tropical looking.
The bark is gray with lighter grey lenticels and shallow orange brown fissures at the base.
The tiny creamy white flowers are in slender, upright catkins up to 8 inches in length in August.
The fruits are rounded acorns up to 0.65 inches in length that are borne in dense clusters.
This drought tolerant tree is hardy north to zone 5b and loves hot summers making it well adapted to the Maryland region. It grows up to 3 feet in a year to an eventual size of 80 x 80 feet with a trunk diamter of 3.2 ft.
* photo taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum
* photos taken on 4th of July @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Lithocarpus kawakamii
A medium size tree native to mountains of Taiwan.
Some records include: 14 years - 17 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches; largest on record - trunk diameter of 28 inches.
The leaves are oblong to 10 x 3 inches.
Lithocarpus magalophyllus
A medium size tree native to southeast China and northeast Vietnam.
Reaches a maximum height of 82 feet with large foliage, reaching up to 12 x 5 inches.
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus
A tall tree to 80 feet or more that is native to the eastern Himalayas. Some records include: 20 years - 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 inches; tallest on record - 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet or more; largest on England - 60 feet.
The leathery elliptic leaves are up to 9 x 3 inches and are glossy green above and silver below.
Hardy north to zone 9
Lithocarpus variolosus ( Varied Leaf Tanoak )
A rare tree native to the Subalpine zone in the mountains of southwest Sichuan and northwest Yunnan, China and nearby parts of Vietnam.
It grows pyramidal in habit with horizontal side branches and reaches up to 66 x 30 feet at maturity.
The long lived, evergreen, broadly ovate leaves are typically up to 6 x 2 inches though are sometimes as much as 9.5 x 3 inches in size.
Hardy north to zone 7, it thrives in sun or shade, alkaline or acidic soil but likely prefers the Pacific Northwest over the hot humid southeast. It begins new growth early in spring and may be damaged by late spring frosts where they may occur.
Propagation is from seed and semiripe wood cuttings.
Related Trees
A genus of 2 trees closely related to Lithocarpus, both which are native to the western U.S.
Chrysolepis chrysophylla ( Golden Chinquapin )
A large tree reaching over 80 feet that is native to coastal Oregon and California. Some records include: largest on record - 150 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 10 feet; longest lived - 500 years.
The leathery, pointed oval leaves are golden beneath.
The tiny yellow-green flowers are borne in catkins during summer.
They are followed by clusters of edible red-brown nuts that are encased.
The attractive bark is red-brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in sun or partial shade on just about any well drained soil.
Propagation is from sowing fresh seed which does germinate better if scarified.
While it does not grow in the eastern U.S., large trees already occur in parts of the British Isles where it has been planted.
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Chrysolepis sempervirens
Similar to Golden Chinquapin except in miniature, rarely reaching over 10 feet. Some records include: 15 years - 10 x 10 feet; largest on record - 17 x 19 feet.
The leaves are also much smaller, only to 3 inches.
Hardy zones 3 to 7. It is an alpine plant that likes full sun and sandy soil and is difficult to grow in cultivation.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Social Media Marketing The Proof is in the Numbers
We here at Warming Trends have noticed a trend....social media marketing works. We constantly are looking for new ways to get the word out about our custom fire pit burners, fire pit kits, fire on water features, portable hearths and fire pit accessories. One thing is for sure, social media marketing drives traffic to Warming-Trends.com.
Take a peek at the numbers below (*for past 30 days) and see how organic and paid search stacks up against social media referrals.
Seven of the top twenty-five sources, including four in the top ten, are coming from social media outlets. Not only does this show that social media marketing is important, even for a fire pit company, but also, if you look at the stats, organic search is right up there and AS important as social media marketing (also considered organic traffic). Although we do run some modest Google AdWord campaigns, the time a visitor spends on our site is not nearly as long as the majority of other outlets including social media, especially YouTube.
Clearly, not all of you out there are fire pit companies, but the point is, social media allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, businesses and organizations in your vertical.
Please visit and like/follow our social media outlets to see how we market and maybe something can apply to your business model: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, YouTube & LinkedIn.
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Heres an example of custom slideshows that Houzz.com offers for free:
Warming Trends LLC Featured on Houzz
Decorating Ideas and Photos- For Example:
Living Room Ideas · Home Office Ideas · Bedroom Ideas · Staircase Ideas · Storage & Closets Ideas · Kids Ideas · Patio Ideas · Wine Cellar Ideas ·
We hope that this proof in the pudding (aka, the numbers) will encourage you to embrace social media as part of your marketing strategies, print is dead, the internet is alive and social media is leading the way. For more information, please visit us online or call today. 1-877-556-5255.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Robles and Antarctic Beech
Nothofagus
A genus of 35 species of evergreen and deciduous trees native to the Southern Hemisphere that are closely related. They often produce pure stands in the wild that are so thick that very little grows in the dense shade beneath.
Most species prefer full sun to partial shade on deep, fertile, light, acidic, well drained soil. They also prefer humid air and a site protected from excessive wind. They are a dominant tree of temperate coastal rainforests in southern Chile, Tasmania and New Zealand though also thrive in other parts of the world with moist maritime conditions such as the British Isles and the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Robles do not like root disturbance or transplanting and must be planted while small for them to establish...considering how fast they grow who would want to pay extra for an already large tree anyway. Keep young trees well watered until established - more mature trees of many species can tolerate summer drought.
Pests and diseases rarely bother the Robles.
Pruning generally consists of pruning to a single leader when young and feathering ( shortening excessively long side-branches, spacing main limbs and thinning branches. Pruning is rarely necessary on older trees other than removal of lower branches for clearance if needed.
Robles are easy to germinate from fresh seed during autumn, they can also be grown from hardwood cuttings taken during summer or layering if seed is not available.
A well grown Roble is among the most spectacular of all temperate climate hardwood trees. They are the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the Oaks and Beeches.
Nothofagus aequilateralis
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet. It is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 5 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus alessandri ( Ruil )
A large, deciduous tree, that is only native to the Maule region in Chile where it is endangered with extinction and continues to decline. Many of its native stands have been replaced by fast growing timber plantations of Pinus radiata. Some records for the Ruil include: largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.
The sharply-toothed, deeply-veined, oval to ovate leaves, up to 7 x 4 ( rarely over 6 ) inches, are green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a small fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts. The fruits are clusters in groups of 7.
The bark is gray.
Hardy zones 8 to 9, it thrives in the British Isles where trees have already exceeded 70 feet. It is more drought tolerant than most Robles.
Nothofagus antarctica ( Antarctic Beech )
Also called Nirre. A fast growing, graceful, elegant, open, broadly-columnar large, deciduous tree, native to far southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 5 feet; 20 years - 82 x 40 feet; largest on record - 140 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. The trunk and limbs are often twisted, especially when growing on windblown harsh environments. Moderately long-lived, it can persist up to 200 years.
The irregularly finely-toothed, oval to rounded leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green. The fine-textured foliage turns to yellow or bright orange during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The brown bark cracks and becomes plated with age.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in cool maritime climates. It does not grow where summers are hot.
Vigorous and fully hardy in North Americas Pacific Northwest, the British Isles, western Norway as well as Copenhagen, Denmark.
Trees originating from the very far southern seed source even thrives in the Faroe Islands.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus balansae
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 40 x 40 feet, that is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics to tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus baumanniae
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 50 x 50 feet, that is native to New Caledonia.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus betuloides ( Birchleaf Beech )
A dense, broad-columnar large, evergreen tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 20 years - 50 x 20 feet; 50 years - 82 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet; largest on record - 120 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet.
Extremely long-lived, Birchleaf Beech is known to live as much as 600 years.
The bluntly-toothed, deeply-veined, oval leaves, up to 1.5 x 1 inches, are glossy deep blackish-green above; glossy pale green beneath. The leaves are smooth on both sides.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The plated and flaky bark is very dark gray.
The moderately heavy, hard wood is highly valued for construction and furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerating as low as -4 F ) in full sun to partial shade, requiring acidic to neutral soil. It thrives in Scotland and trees originating from the very far southern seed source even thrives in the Faroe Islands.
Nothofagus brassii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to mountains of New Guinea
The leaves are up to 3.5 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus carrii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 2.5 x 1.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus codonandra
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 120 ( rarely over 100 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. It is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus crenata
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The oblong leaves are up to 2.5 x 1 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus cunninghamia ( Myrtle Beech )
A fast growing, straight-trunked, dense, large tree, native to Victoria in southeast Australia as well as Tasmania. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 220 ( rarely over 150 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet.
The Myrtle Beech is long-lived and can persist up to 500 years.
The minutely-toothed, triangular leaves, up to 1 x 1 inches, are brilliant red, pink, orange or bronze during spring, turning to glossy deep green. The leaves are borne on fan-like sprays.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The scaly bark is dark brown. The timber is highly valued for furniture and veneer.
The close-grained, pinkish, hard wood is highly valued for cabinetry work.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( possibly 7 for hardiest seed source ), it thrives in maritime climates such as the British Isles on just about any well drained soil.
Trees originating from seed source originating from high elevations in Tasmania may tolerate temperatures below 5 F and even thrive in the Scottish highlands.
They can thrives where temperatures average around 32 F during January and with heavy winter snowfall. Trees originating from lowland seed source may not be much hardier than zone 9 or a low of 19 F. The Myrtle Beech is also more heat tolerant than many Robles, tolerating as high as 113 F.
Nothofagus discoidea
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 130 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet. It is native to New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus dombeyi ( Dombey Beech )
A graceful, fast growing, somewhat open, deciduous to evergreen, broadly-columnar, large tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 5 years - 13 x 7 feet; 45 years - 92 feet ( England ); 82 years - 113 feet with a trunk diameter of 5.5 feet; largest on record - 170 x 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet. Very long-lived, this tree can persist up to 700 years.
The finely-toothed, narrowly-ovate to oval leaves, up to 2 x 0.5 inches, are glossy deep green above, glossy pale green beneath. The leaves are smooth on both sides.
In cold climates, the Dombey Beech is deciduous.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The smooth bark is dark gray.
The decay resistant wood is highly valued for construction, flooring and furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun. Clay tolerant. It thrives and is often planted in North Americas Pacific Northwest as well as the British Isles.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus flaviramea
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 170 ( rarely over 150 ) feet, with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. It is native to New Guinea.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus fusca ( New Zealand Red Beech )
A highly ornamental, fast growing, massive, large evergreen tree, native to New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; largest on record - 140 feet with a trunk diameter of 12 feet. It has been proven to have once grown on Antarctica due to fossil evidence.
The coarsely-toothed, oval leaves, up to 2 x 1.3 inches, are green. The foliage turns to bright red during winter though older trees may remain just plain green.
The leaves sometimes fall during early spring, just weeks before the new leaves appear.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The often buttressed trunk has deep orangish-brown to almost black furrowed bark which becomes flaking on older trees.
The valuable timber is used for flooring in New Zealand.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in mild maritime climates. It thrives in England where trees have already reached very large sizes.
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus glauca ( Hualo )
A moderate to fast growing, straight-trunked, large evergreen tree, native to central Chile where it is threatened with extinction. Some records include: 30 years - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 inches; largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.5 feet. Nearly all of the original pure stands in the coastal range have been logged and been replaced by Monterey Pine plantations.
Reproductions is good in the few remaining native stands.
It is the only Roble native to Santiago and Valparaíso.
It is an excellent tree for reforestation in mild climate prone to summer drought.
The toothed leaves, up to 3.5 x 2 inches, are blue-green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The rough bark is reddish-gray.
Hardy zones 9 ( 7 ). Unlike most other Roble, the Hualo will grow in mediterranean climates with long dry summers however also thrives in more maritime climates such as milder parts of the British Isles.
Nothofagus grandis
A huge tree, reaching a maximum height of 170 ( rarely over 150 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet. It is native to high elevation cloudforests of New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus gunnii ( Tanglefoot Beech )
A slow growing, deciduous, shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum size of 27 x 50
( rarely even half that ) feet, that is native to high mountains of Tasmania.
Long-lived, it can persist up to 350 years.
It is a close relative to N. pumilio of Chile.
The Tanglefoot Beech is threatened with extinction in the wild, it also does not
recover well from forest fires.
The round-toothed margined, deeply-veined, triangular leaves are up to 1.7 inches in length. The foliage is bright green, turning intense yellow, orange or red during autumn.
Hardy zones 7b to 9 in a cool maritime climate. Due to its requirement of permanent moist conditions or about 6 + feet of average annual precipition evenly distributed throughout the year, it is difficult to cultivate in most of the world outside its native range or wetter parts of Ireland / Scotland.
Can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
Nothofagus menziesii ( Silver Beech )
An attractive, graceful, very sturdy, massive, dense, upright to dome-shaped, large evergreen tree, native to New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - feet; largest on record - 100 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 8.3 feet.
A very long-lived tree, it can persist up to 600 years.
The double-toothed, rounded leaves, up to 0.6 x 0.5 inches, are bright green at first, turning to deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The flaking bark is silvery however trees with brownish or whitish bark are sometimes found.
The wood is hard and mostly used for furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus moorei ( Australian Beech )
A sturdy trunked, dense-canopied, large, semi-evergreen to evergreen tree, native to mountainous regions of southern Queensland into northern New South Wales in Australia. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; largest on record - 170 x 71 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.6 feet.
Trees have already reached 80 feet in Ireland.
The leaves, up to 5 x 2.5 inches, are brilliant orange or red at first, turning to deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a prickly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The scaly bark is dark brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerating 1 F for seed source originating from Barrington Tops or other high mountain habitats ). Seed source originating from milder parts of its range may not be much more hardy than zone 9 or 8b. It is found in the wild in cool temperate rainforests and would likely thrive in parts of the Pacific Northwest or rainier milder parts of the British Isles. Due to global warming, it is no longer naturally reproducing in its native range. In its preferred cool maritime climates it prefers full sun, where summers are hot partial shade may be required.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus nitida ( Coigüe )
A fast growing, large, evergreen tree, native to southern Chile ( from Valdivia south ) where it is rare. Some records include: 28 years - 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet; largest on record - 133 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.6 feet. Long-lived, this tree can reach up to 350 years of age.
It is closely related to Nothofagus betuloides.
The hard, coarsely-toothed, ovate to rounded leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The bark gray.
The wood is valued for construction.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 preferring very wet soil.
Nothofagus nuda
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 ( rarely over 60 ) feet, that is native to the Tauri River in the Gulf province of Papua New Guinea where it is nearly extinct.
The leaves are up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size.
This plant is poisonous and deaths have occured from people attempting to eat it.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics to tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus obliqua ( Roble Beech )
A fast growing, graceful, slightly weeping, broad-columnar, large, deciduous tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 7 feet; 9 years - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 inches; 20 years - 85 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.4 feet; 60 years - 115 feet; 80 years- trunk diameter of 4 feet; largest on record - 170 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet. The Roble Beech often continues to put out new growth into early autumn. These trees are very long-lived, surviving up to 450 years. This tree is very well adapted to the British Isles and as existing cultivated trees age, they will likely reach the same massive sizes that are found in their native range.
The toothed, ovate to oval leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches, are deep green above, blue-green beneath. The leaves are smooth textured on both sides. The foliage turns to orange and red during autumn. The leaves are borne on 2 opposite rows on fan-like sprays. The Roble Beech was once extremely abundant and formed extensive forests in Chiles Central Valley, it is now usually found there only as isolated trees.
The very small, greenish flowers are borne in clusters of 3 ( females ) or single ( male ) from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The twigs are slender. The light gray bark is smooth on young trees, becoming reddish-gray, plated and furrowed on older trees.
The oak-like timber is highly valuable.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, the Roble Beech thrives in cool summer temperate regions around the world including the British Isles and North Americas Pacific Northwest. Flood tolerant. Trees originating from the very far southern seed source will thrive in the Scotland highlands. It is tolerant of dry summers found in Mediterranean climates as long as summers arent extremely hot.
Nothofagus perryi
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 133 feet with a trunk diameter of 5.5 feet. It is native to high mountains of Papua New Guinea.
The ovate to oblong leaves are up to 4.5 x 1.8 (rarely over 3 x 1.5 ) inches in size. The foliage is deep green above, pale green beneath.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus procera ( Rauli Beech )
Also called Nothofagus alpina. A very fast growing, broadly-conical, large deciduous tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growing - 7 feet with a trunk diameter increase of 1 inch; 9 years - 50 feet; 11 years - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot; 20 years - 80 feet; 40 years - trunk diameter of 2.1 feet; 82 years - 110 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet; largest on record - 160 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 feet. Extremely fast growing, they are known to grow as much as 6 inches weekly during periods of ideal weather from late spring to early autumn.
It is a long-lived tree, that can persist up to 450 years.
The finely-toothed, deeply-veined, oval to oblong leaves, up to 10 x 4 ( rarely over 5 x 2 ) inches, are bronze at first, turning to matte deep green. The foliage is appears early during spring and is hairy on both sides. The leaves turn intense orange and red during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The dark gray bark is smooth when young, becoming fissured as the tree matures.
It is sometimes planted fro timber plantations in the British Isles. The very valuable fine-grained wood is used for flooring, doors and veneers.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun in maritime climates with 30 or more inches of average annual precipitation. It thrives in the British Isles where as trees age, they will surely reach sizes equal to larger than that found in their natural habitat. It is not very tolerant of urban pollution.
Nothofagus pullei
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 165 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 feet. It is native to New Guinea. Very long-lived, it can persist up to 600 years.
The oblong leaves are up to 2 x 1 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus pumilio ( Lenga )
A massive, fast growing, broadly-columnar, large deciduous tree, native to far southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 5 feet; 5 years - 6.5 feet; 8 years - 14 feet; 10 years - 18 feet; 20 years - 80 feet; 44 years - trunk diameter of 2.8 feet; largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet.
Long-lived, the Lenga can live up to 350 years.
The blunt-toothed, elliptical to oval leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy, deep blackish-green above, paler green beneath. The foliage turns to yellow and orange during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne singly from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The silvery bark is smooth with horizontal lenticels on young trees, with older trees becoming purplish-brown and fissured towards the base.
The wood is valued for use in construction and making furniture and cabinets.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerates as low as -22 F ).
Very hardy in Bergen, Norway and moderately hardy in Copenhagen, Denmark. It thrives especially well in Scotland.
This extremely hardy tree can tolerate frosts in any month of the year however it not adapted to regions with hot summers.
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus resinosa
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 165 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus rubra
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The ovate leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus solandri ( Black Beech )
A broad-conical, large, evergreen tree, native to mountains of New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 10 years - 27 feet; 25 years - 57 feet; 50 years - 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.2 feet; largest on record - 100 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. The Black Beech is a long lived tree that can survive up to 400 years.
The smooth-edged, oblong to rounded leaves, up to 1 x 0.5 inches, are glossy deep green above, gray hairy beneath. The leaves are borne on fan-like sprays.
The very small, reddish-brown flowers are borne in pairs from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The stems are slender and black.
The rough, furrowed bark is dark gray to almost black.
The valuable timber is used for construction.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( possibly 7 ) in maritime climates. It tolerates high elevations near treeline and also thrives in the British Isles and has already reached heights of 70 feet in Ireland. Very tolerant of drought as well as wet conditions.
* photo of unknown internet source
var cliffortioides
Similar except for having smaller, more sharply-toothed leaves, up to 0.7 x 0.5 inches, that are oval. It is also smaller growing, reaching a maximum size of 90 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in maritime climates.
Nothofagus starkenborghii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to mountains of New Guinea
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.3 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus truncata ( Hard Beech )
A fast growing, large evergreen tree, native to lowland forests in New Zealand. Some records include: largest on record - 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 feet. This tree is very long lived, up to 500 years. Hard Beech is a close relative of N. fusca.
The thick, bluntly-toothed, broad-ovate leaves, up to 1.5 x 1 inches, are dull green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The thick, furrowed bark is dark gray.
The very hard timber is highly valuable.
Hardy zones 8 to 9.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus womersleyi
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 ( rarely over 60 ) feet, that is native to single site on Bukit Irau in the Kebar Valley on Vogelkop Peninsula in western Papua New Guinea where it is highly endangered with extinction.
The ovate leaves are up to 4 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
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A genus of 35 species of evergreen and deciduous trees native to the Southern Hemisphere that are closely related. They often produce pure stands in the wild that are so thick that very little grows in the dense shade beneath.
Most species prefer full sun to partial shade on deep, fertile, light, acidic, well drained soil. They also prefer humid air and a site protected from excessive wind. They are a dominant tree of temperate coastal rainforests in southern Chile, Tasmania and New Zealand though also thrive in other parts of the world with moist maritime conditions such as the British Isles and the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Robles do not like root disturbance or transplanting and must be planted while small for them to establish...considering how fast they grow who would want to pay extra for an already large tree anyway. Keep young trees well watered until established - more mature trees of many species can tolerate summer drought.
Pests and diseases rarely bother the Robles.
Pruning generally consists of pruning to a single leader when young and feathering ( shortening excessively long side-branches, spacing main limbs and thinning branches. Pruning is rarely necessary on older trees other than removal of lower branches for clearance if needed.
Robles are easy to germinate from fresh seed during autumn, they can also be grown from hardwood cuttings taken during summer or layering if seed is not available.
A well grown Roble is among the most spectacular of all temperate climate hardwood trees. They are the Southern Hemisphere equivalent of the Oaks and Beeches.
Nothofagus aequilateralis
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 100 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet. It is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 5 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus alessandri ( Ruil )
A large, deciduous tree, that is only native to the Maule region in Chile where it is endangered with extinction and continues to decline. Many of its native stands have been replaced by fast growing timber plantations of Pinus radiata. Some records for the Ruil include: largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.
The sharply-toothed, deeply-veined, oval to ovate leaves, up to 7 x 4 ( rarely over 6 ) inches, are green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a small fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts. The fruits are clusters in groups of 7.
The bark is gray.
Hardy zones 8 to 9, it thrives in the British Isles where trees have already exceeded 70 feet. It is more drought tolerant than most Robles.
Nothofagus antarctica ( Antarctic Beech )
Also called Nirre. A fast growing, graceful, elegant, open, broadly-columnar large, deciduous tree, native to far southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 5 feet; 20 years - 82 x 40 feet; largest on record - 140 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. The trunk and limbs are often twisted, especially when growing on windblown harsh environments. Moderately long-lived, it can persist up to 200 years.
The irregularly finely-toothed, oval to rounded leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green. The fine-textured foliage turns to yellow or bright orange during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The brown bark cracks and becomes plated with age.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in cool maritime climates. It does not grow where summers are hot.
Vigorous and fully hardy in North Americas Pacific Northwest, the British Isles, western Norway as well as Copenhagen, Denmark.
Trees originating from the very far southern seed source even thrives in the Faroe Islands.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus balansae
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 40 x 40 feet, that is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics to tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus baumanniae
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 50 x 50 feet, that is native to New Caledonia.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus betuloides ( Birchleaf Beech )
A dense, broad-columnar large, evergreen tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 20 years - 50 x 20 feet; 50 years - 82 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet; largest on record - 120 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet.
Extremely long-lived, Birchleaf Beech is known to live as much as 600 years.
The bluntly-toothed, deeply-veined, oval leaves, up to 1.5 x 1 inches, are glossy deep blackish-green above; glossy pale green beneath. The leaves are smooth on both sides.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The plated and flaky bark is very dark gray.
The moderately heavy, hard wood is highly valued for construction and furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerating as low as -4 F ) in full sun to partial shade, requiring acidic to neutral soil. It thrives in Scotland and trees originating from the very far southern seed source even thrives in the Faroe Islands.
Nothofagus brassii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to mountains of New Guinea
The leaves are up to 3.5 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus carrii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 2.5 x 1.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus codonandra
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 120 ( rarely over 100 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. It is native to mountains of New Caledonia.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2.2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus crenata
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The oblong leaves are up to 2.5 x 1 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus cunninghamia ( Myrtle Beech )
A fast growing, straight-trunked, dense, large tree, native to Victoria in southeast Australia as well as Tasmania. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 6 feet; largest on record - 220 ( rarely over 150 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet.
The Myrtle Beech is long-lived and can persist up to 500 years.
The minutely-toothed, triangular leaves, up to 1 x 1 inches, are brilliant red, pink, orange or bronze during spring, turning to glossy deep green. The leaves are borne on fan-like sprays.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The scaly bark is dark brown. The timber is highly valued for furniture and veneer.
The close-grained, pinkish, hard wood is highly valued for cabinetry work.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( possibly 7 for hardiest seed source ), it thrives in maritime climates such as the British Isles on just about any well drained soil.
Trees originating from seed source originating from high elevations in Tasmania may tolerate temperatures below 5 F and even thrive in the Scottish highlands.
They can thrives where temperatures average around 32 F during January and with heavy winter snowfall. Trees originating from lowland seed source may not be much hardier than zone 9 or a low of 19 F. The Myrtle Beech is also more heat tolerant than many Robles, tolerating as high as 113 F.
Nothofagus discoidea
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 130 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet. It is native to New Caledonia.
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus dombeyi ( Dombey Beech )
A graceful, fast growing, somewhat open, deciduous to evergreen, broadly-columnar, large tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 5 years - 13 x 7 feet; 45 years - 92 feet ( England ); 82 years - 113 feet with a trunk diameter of 5.5 feet; largest on record - 170 x 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet. Very long-lived, this tree can persist up to 700 years.
The finely-toothed, narrowly-ovate to oval leaves, up to 2 x 0.5 inches, are glossy deep green above, glossy pale green beneath. The leaves are smooth on both sides.
In cold climates, the Dombey Beech is deciduous.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The smooth bark is dark gray.
The decay resistant wood is highly valued for construction, flooring and furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun. Clay tolerant. It thrives and is often planted in North Americas Pacific Northwest as well as the British Isles.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus flaviramea
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 170 ( rarely over 150 ) feet, with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. It is native to New Guinea.
The oblong leaves are up to 5 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus fusca ( New Zealand Red Beech )
A highly ornamental, fast growing, massive, large evergreen tree, native to New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; largest on record - 140 feet with a trunk diameter of 12 feet. It has been proven to have once grown on Antarctica due to fossil evidence.
The coarsely-toothed, oval leaves, up to 2 x 1.3 inches, are green. The foliage turns to bright red during winter though older trees may remain just plain green.
The leaves sometimes fall during early spring, just weeks before the new leaves appear.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The often buttressed trunk has deep orangish-brown to almost black furrowed bark which becomes flaking on older trees.
The valuable timber is used for flooring in New Zealand.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in mild maritime climates. It thrives in England where trees have already reached very large sizes.
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus glauca ( Hualo )
A moderate to fast growing, straight-trunked, large evergreen tree, native to central Chile where it is threatened with extinction. Some records include: 30 years - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 inches; largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.5 feet. Nearly all of the original pure stands in the coastal range have been logged and been replaced by Monterey Pine plantations.
Reproductions is good in the few remaining native stands.
It is the only Roble native to Santiago and Valparaíso.
It is an excellent tree for reforestation in mild climate prone to summer drought.
The toothed leaves, up to 3.5 x 2 inches, are blue-green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The rough bark is reddish-gray.
Hardy zones 9 ( 7 ). Unlike most other Roble, the Hualo will grow in mediterranean climates with long dry summers however also thrives in more maritime climates such as milder parts of the British Isles.
Nothofagus grandis
A huge tree, reaching a maximum height of 170 ( rarely over 150 ) feet with a trunk diameter of 8 feet. It is native to high elevation cloudforests of New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus gunnii ( Tanglefoot Beech )
A slow growing, deciduous, shrub to small tree, reaching a maximum size of 27 x 50
( rarely even half that ) feet, that is native to high mountains of Tasmania.
Long-lived, it can persist up to 350 years.
It is a close relative to N. pumilio of Chile.
The Tanglefoot Beech is threatened with extinction in the wild, it also does not
recover well from forest fires.
The round-toothed margined, deeply-veined, triangular leaves are up to 1.7 inches in length. The foliage is bright green, turning intense yellow, orange or red during autumn.
Hardy zones 7b to 9 in a cool maritime climate. Due to its requirement of permanent moist conditions or about 6 + feet of average annual precipition evenly distributed throughout the year, it is difficult to cultivate in most of the world outside its native range or wetter parts of Ireland / Scotland.
Can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
Nothofagus menziesii ( Silver Beech )
An attractive, graceful, very sturdy, massive, dense, upright to dome-shaped, large evergreen tree, native to New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - feet; largest on record - 100 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 8.3 feet.
A very long-lived tree, it can persist up to 600 years.
The double-toothed, rounded leaves, up to 0.6 x 0.5 inches, are bright green at first, turning to deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The flaking bark is silvery however trees with brownish or whitish bark are sometimes found.
The wood is hard and mostly used for furniture.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus moorei ( Australian Beech )
A sturdy trunked, dense-canopied, large, semi-evergreen to evergreen tree, native to mountainous regions of southern Queensland into northern New South Wales in Australia. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; largest on record - 170 x 71 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.6 feet.
Trees have already reached 80 feet in Ireland.
The leaves, up to 5 x 2.5 inches, are brilliant orange or red at first, turning to deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a prickly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The scaly bark is dark brown.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerating 1 F for seed source originating from Barrington Tops or other high mountain habitats ). Seed source originating from milder parts of its range may not be much more hardy than zone 9 or 8b. It is found in the wild in cool temperate rainforests and would likely thrive in parts of the Pacific Northwest or rainier milder parts of the British Isles. Due to global warming, it is no longer naturally reproducing in its native range. In its preferred cool maritime climates it prefers full sun, where summers are hot partial shade may be required.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus nitida ( Coigüe )
A fast growing, large, evergreen tree, native to southern Chile ( from Valdivia south ) where it is rare. Some records include: 28 years - 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet; largest on record - 133 feet with a trunk diameter of 6.6 feet. Long-lived, this tree can reach up to 350 years of age.
It is closely related to Nothofagus betuloides.
The hard, coarsely-toothed, ovate to rounded leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy deep green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a smooth husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The bark gray.
The wood is valued for construction.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 preferring very wet soil.
Nothofagus nuda
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 ( rarely over 60 ) feet, that is native to the Tauri River in the Gulf province of Papua New Guinea where it is nearly extinct.
The leaves are up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size.
This plant is poisonous and deaths have occured from people attempting to eat it.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics to tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus obliqua ( Roble Beech )
A fast growing, graceful, slightly weeping, broad-columnar, large, deciduous tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 7 feet; 9 years - 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 8 inches; 20 years - 85 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.4 feet; 60 years - 115 feet; 80 years- trunk diameter of 4 feet; largest on record - 170 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 feet. The Roble Beech often continues to put out new growth into early autumn. These trees are very long-lived, surviving up to 450 years. This tree is very well adapted to the British Isles and as existing cultivated trees age, they will likely reach the same massive sizes that are found in their native range.
The toothed, ovate to oval leaves, up to 4 x 1.5 inches, are deep green above, blue-green beneath. The leaves are smooth textured on both sides. The foliage turns to orange and red during autumn. The leaves are borne on 2 opposite rows on fan-like sprays. The Roble Beech was once extremely abundant and formed extensive forests in Chiles Central Valley, it is now usually found there only as isolated trees.
The very small, greenish flowers are borne in clusters of 3 ( females ) or single ( male ) from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The twigs are slender. The light gray bark is smooth on young trees, becoming reddish-gray, plated and furrowed on older trees.
The oak-like timber is highly valuable.
Hardy zones 6 to 9 in full sun to partial shade, the Roble Beech thrives in cool summer temperate regions around the world including the British Isles and North Americas Pacific Northwest. Flood tolerant. Trees originating from the very far southern seed source will thrive in the Scotland highlands. It is tolerant of dry summers found in Mediterranean climates as long as summers arent extremely hot.
Nothofagus perryi
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum size of 133 feet with a trunk diameter of 5.5 feet. It is native to high mountains of Papua New Guinea.
The ovate to oblong leaves are up to 4.5 x 1.8 (rarely over 3 x 1.5 ) inches in size. The foliage is deep green above, pale green beneath.
Hardy zones 10 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus procera ( Rauli Beech )
Also called Nothofagus alpina. A very fast growing, broadly-conical, large deciduous tree, native to southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growing - 7 feet with a trunk diameter increase of 1 inch; 9 years - 50 feet; 11 years - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot; 20 years - 80 feet; 40 years - trunk diameter of 2.1 feet; 82 years - 110 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet; largest on record - 160 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 feet. Extremely fast growing, they are known to grow as much as 6 inches weekly during periods of ideal weather from late spring to early autumn.
It is a long-lived tree, that can persist up to 450 years.
The finely-toothed, deeply-veined, oval to oblong leaves, up to 10 x 4 ( rarely over 5 x 2 ) inches, are bronze at first, turning to matte deep green. The foliage is appears early during spring and is hairy on both sides. The leaves turn intense orange and red during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a bristly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The dark gray bark is smooth when young, becoming fissured as the tree matures.
It is sometimes planted fro timber plantations in the British Isles. The very valuable fine-grained wood is used for flooring, doors and veneers.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun in maritime climates with 30 or more inches of average annual precipitation. It thrives in the British Isles where as trees age, they will surely reach sizes equal to larger than that found in their natural habitat. It is not very tolerant of urban pollution.
Nothofagus pullei
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 165 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 feet. It is native to New Guinea. Very long-lived, it can persist up to 600 years.
The oblong leaves are up to 2 x 1 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus pumilio ( Lenga )
A massive, fast growing, broadly-columnar, large deciduous tree, native to far southern Chile and Argentina. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 5 feet; 5 years - 6.5 feet; 8 years - 14 feet; 10 years - 18 feet; 20 years - 80 feet; 44 years - trunk diameter of 2.8 feet; largest on record - 135 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet.
Long-lived, the Lenga can live up to 350 years.
The blunt-toothed, elliptical to oval leaves, up to 2 x 1 inches, are glossy, deep blackish-green above, paler green beneath. The foliage turns to yellow and orange during autumn.
The very small flowers are borne singly from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.5 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The silvery bark is smooth with horizontal lenticels on young trees, with older trees becoming purplish-brown and fissured towards the base.
The wood is valued for use in construction and making furniture and cabinets.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( tolerates as low as -22 F ).
Very hardy in Bergen, Norway and moderately hardy in Copenhagen, Denmark. It thrives especially well in Scotland.
This extremely hardy tree can tolerate frosts in any month of the year however it not adapted to regions with hot summers.
* photos of unknown internet source
Nothofagus resinosa
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 165 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus rubra
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to New Guinea.
The ovate leaves are up to 4 x 2 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus solandri ( Black Beech )
A broad-conical, large, evergreen tree, native to mountains of New Zealand. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 4 feet; 10 years - 27 feet; 25 years - 57 feet; 50 years - 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.2 feet; largest on record - 100 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet. The Black Beech is a long lived tree that can survive up to 400 years.
The smooth-edged, oblong to rounded leaves, up to 1 x 0.5 inches, are glossy deep green above, gray hairy beneath. The leaves are borne on fan-like sprays.
The very small, reddish-brown flowers are borne in pairs from the leaf axils during late spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The stems are slender and black.
The rough, furrowed bark is dark gray to almost black.
The valuable timber is used for construction.
Hardy zones 8 to 9 ( possibly 7 ) in maritime climates. It tolerates high elevations near treeline and also thrives in the British Isles and has already reached heights of 70 feet in Ireland. Very tolerant of drought as well as wet conditions.
* photo of unknown internet source
var cliffortioides
Similar except for having smaller, more sharply-toothed leaves, up to 0.7 x 0.5 inches, that are oval. It is also smaller growing, reaching a maximum size of 90 feet with a trunk diameter of 3.5 feet.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in maritime climates.
Nothofagus starkenborghii
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 150 feet, that is native to mountains of New Guinea
The leaves are up to 3 x 1.3 inches in size.
Hardy zones 9 to 11 requiring a cool alpine climate within the tropics to thrive.
Nothofagus truncata ( Hard Beech )
A fast growing, large evergreen tree, native to lowland forests in New Zealand. Some records include: largest on record - 120 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 feet. This tree is very long lived, up to 500 years. Hard Beech is a close relative of N. fusca.
The thick, bluntly-toothed, broad-ovate leaves, up to 1.5 x 1 inches, are dull green.
The very small flowers are borne in clusters of 3 from the leaf axils during spring.
They are followed by a fruit that includes a scaly husk, up to 0.25 inches in length, that encloses 3 small nuts.
The thick, furrowed bark is dark gray.
The very hard timber is highly valuable.
Hardy zones 8 to 9.
* photo of unknown internet source
Nothofagus womersleyi
A large, evergreen tree, reaching a maximum height of 133 ( rarely over 60 ) feet, that is native to single site on Bukit Irau in the Kebar Valley on Vogelkop Peninsula in western Papua New Guinea where it is highly endangered with extinction.
The ovate leaves are up to 4 x 1.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 requiring a cool alpine climate within the subtropics and tropics to thrive.
PHOTOGRAPHING LANDSCAPES
Making lemonade out of lemons.
Losing my office to the ravages of Hurricane Sandy (as evidenced by the minimal output of blogposts since late October), I invite opportunities to take advantage of the change.
My new office is on the 26th floor of a building overlooking New York Harbor. I’ve gotten into the habit of using my iphone to photograph Lady Liberty and Ellis Island from this perspective on a regular basis. Some of these photos are from the grey days of New York winter, where there is much beauty to observe in its monochromatic light.
Recording the landscape change per the elements, time of day and year is an effective study in “light and landscape”. Last fall an installation at Storm King Art Center addressed this topic. It is also the notion that A.E. Bye, famed landscape architect conceives in his book “Moods in the Landscape.”
Photographing landscape sites at different times of day, weather and season is an action I regularly perform when analyzing a site and then designing a landscape. With the beta data included (time and date stamp) among the information a digital camera captures, the photograph is a record, a study aid, a reference to review when making design and planting decisions. “Seeing light” and witnessing the seasonal changes is another tip I pass on to graduate students in landscape design I work with. Whether it’s becoming intimate with a plant that you’re not familiar with on your route to work each morning thru the year, or making a photographic record of a familiar landscape, you are viewing through a more critical lens.
Landscape is not three-dimensional, rather there’s the fourth element that is time –understanding the complexity of landscape in all its dimensions. Many clients will request a new residential design for their just bought landscape within three months? Arguably, the less a designer is familiar with a site, the more challenging it becomes to design. How thorough can you design a landscape instantly without understanding it’s sense of place and how it changes over the course of time.
A landscape evolves.
Why I Dont Believe in Low Maintenance Landscapes
The American obsession with low maintenance landscapes is a problem. Here’s why.
A low maintenance landscape is a rather innocuous request. It is also, of course, an absolutely sensible one. After all, who has the time or resources to pour endless hours into a landscape? Plus, traditional maintenance often focuses on chemical inputs and gas-powered machinery, all of which are bad for the environment. Perhaps low maintenance landscapes are both good for people and the environment, right?
Yes and no. “Low maintenance” is not just an idea, it is an ideology. It is the promise of more for less. As Americans, we still believe cheap, fertile land is our manifest destiny. We deserve bounty without labor, satisfaction without commitment.
The ideology of low maintenance has received new fervor from advocates of sustainable landscapes. In eco-speak, maintenance is a dirty word. Maintenance means gas-powered machinery, irrigation systems, and petro-chemicals. A low maintenance landscape is natural.
The promise of low maintenance landscapes is an empty one. The very idea that you can do less and have more is a mythology. Landscapes constantly change and require input—lots of it—to look the way we want them to. Lines blur, plants suffer without water, and weeds move in. Nothing stays the same. Even naturalistic and native landscapes require heavy interventions to look natural. In nature, thousands of years of natural selection create relatively stable environments. In our yards, our active engagement is the sine qua non of a garden. The less we do, the worse our yards look.
| "Low maintenance" or just neglect. A perennial garden on the U.S. Mall |
The second problem is that the “low maintenance” dogma prioritizes yards over gardens. Layered planting beds full of trees, shrubs, and perennials are often eliminated (too high maintenance); instead, we opt for the holy triumvirate of the American landscape: lawn, foundation shrubs, and groundcovers. We choose these because their upfront cost is low and we understand how to maintain them. But in reality, these decisions commit us to endless maintenance. We cover our yards with lawns and then must mow, edge, and weed-eat weekly during the growing season. We plant cheap evergreens at our foundations that get too big and require regular pruning to keep them from eating the house. We throw groundcovers in our beds because we want them to cover large areas, then we spend years battling them to keep them in place.
A garden, on the other hand, requires higher upfront cost and maintenance to get it established, but less investment over time. Nurseryman and perennial expert Roy Diblik writes convincingly of his “Know Maintenance” approach in his book, The Small Perennial Garden. Diblik demonstrates that perennial gardens need 15-20 minutes of maintenance every 10-14 days—dramatically less time needed to maintain a traditional lawn. By investing in the garden rather than yards, we can get better looking landscapes that require less labor.
The low maintenance dogma reveals something about our culture: we don’t know how to BE in our landscapes. When someone asks me for “low maintenance,” what I hear is: “I don’t want to deal with this landscape.” Maintenance is nothing more than gardening, a personal investment into the landscape. I’ve long said that gardening is a relationship with a piece of ground. That relationship is the single most rewarding aspect of gardening. If the act of gardening is a relationship, then low maintenance gardening is code for “let’s just be friends.” Or “I’m just not that into you.” Low maintenance is permission to disengage, pull away, and let go. When we do that, our landscapes suffer. And so do we.
| My high investment garden. |
The alternative to low maintenance ideology is not high maintenance gardens. We absolutely should design our landscapes to need less input; our plants should be tailored to their conditions; and we should choose treatments that require less time, machinery, and labor. Instead of low maintenance landscapes, we need high investment landscapes. High investment landscapes have engaged owners who make smart decisions about the kinds of treatments that will last over time. High investment landscapes focus not just on time and money, but the compounding rewards of lots of small acts of love and care in the garden. “We live on the edge of existence and nonexistence,” wrote one of my favorite garden bloggers, James Golden. “Our gardens are one manifestation of our choosing life and hope and caring.”
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