Planting Tilia Euchlora Parasol Trees in My Maze
My garden maze continues to evolve with each group of interesting plantings.
Recently, I received a large delivery of trees from Select Horticulture Inc. in Pound Ridge, New York. Many of the specimens are linden trees, which I decided would look good in my maze. Last week, my crew planted a number of Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ Cylinder trees along the two sides of the maze. The next phase was to plant a group of Tilia Euchlora Parasols, commonly called Caucasian linden or Crimean linden. This linden variety is a medium deciduous tree that grows up to 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide with a rounded pyramidal shape. The trees were planted in a square surrounding my eagle.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- It’s always exciting when a delivery of trees arrives. These are two of 80 from Select Horticulture, Inc. – a great source for large, interesting, and beautifully maintained specimen trees and shrubs.
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- The trees include London plane cylinder and parasol trees, a Chinese Elm, hornbeams, and variety of lindens – panel lindens, cylinder lindens, and parasol lindens. They’re all in excellent condition.
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- Ryan and Chhiring review the exact location for the lindens. The maze is drawn out on a map I designed, so it is very important to refer to it every time something new is added.
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- The area is measured multiple times before the actual sod is cut and removed.
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- Landscape twine and flags indicate the areas to be stripped and the exact locations where each tree will be placed.
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- Chhiring goes over the designated beds with the Classen Pro HSC18 sod cutter. The sod cutter goes over the area smoothly and deeply. Everything must be done as precisely as possible for the maze.
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- This is what the cleared area looks like once all the two-inch thick sod is pulled up.
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- Next, Chhiring maneuvers my Kubota M62 tractor loader and backhoe to dig each of the holes.
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- Backhoes are extremely versatile. I am fortunate to have this attachment for our tractor. Backhoes come with a bucket and digging arm that can perform many different tasks.
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- Each hole is manually smoothed out and prepared to ensure it is deep enough for each specimen. The hole sides are slanted. Digging a wide planting hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment.
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- The entire area is sprinkled with fertilizer. The crew uses an organic all purpose plant food from Miracle-Gro.
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- The protective wrapping and any wire or rope are removed from the root ball. If left untouched, these wrapping materials could reduce the ability of a tree’s roots to grow out into the surrounding soil. Some gardeners leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove everything, so there is nothing blocking the root growth.
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- As it is removed, all the protective cages and coverings are placed by each tree, so we are sure it was taken off.
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- Pasang and Alex slowly roll the root ball into position. Only hold it by the root ball and the base of the trunk – never by its branches, which could easily break.
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- All the trees look great, but I always ask the crew to position plantings with the best side facing the walking path or area where guests see them most.
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- Pasang adjusts the bottom of the hole, so the tree sits straight level. A good tip is to “plant bare to the flare,” meaning do not bury above its flare, where the first main roots attach to the trunk. The roots need oxygen to grow. By placing the root flare at or slightly above ground level when planting gives the specimen the best chance for survival, growth and development. Once in place, the rest of the hole is backfilled.
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- Here is one side of the space all planted, raked and tidy.
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- The leaves of the Tilia euchlora measure about two to three-and-a-half inches in length and width. They are green and turn a bright yellow in fall.
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- The tree’s bark is initially smooth and grayish-brown, but as it matures, it will develop fissures, giving it more texture and appeal.
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- Here’s another side all planted. Once they’re all in the ground, they are given a very deep and thorough drink. It’s been warm and humid here this week – we’ve been watering quite a bit around the farm.
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- This view from the center shows the eagle atop its pedestal surrounded by the newly planted lindens. I think it looks excellent. I am so pleased with how well my maze is turning out. What do you think?
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