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.
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.
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.
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.
The area is measured multiple times before the actual sod is cut and removed.
Landscape twine and flags indicate the areas to be stripped and the exact locations where each tree will be placed.
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.
This is what the cleared area looks like once all the two-inch thick sod is pulled up.
Next, Chhiring maneuvers my Kubota M62 tractor loader and backhoe to dig each of the holes.
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.
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.
The entire area is sprinkled with fertilizer. The crew uses an organic all purpose plant food from Miracle-Gro.
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.
As it is removed, all the protective cages and coverings are placed by each tree, so we are sure it was taken off.
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.
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.
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.
Here is one side of the space all planted, raked and tidy.
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.
The tree’s bark is initially smooth and grayish-brown, but as it matures, it will develop fissures, giving it more texture and appeal.
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.
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?
Here at my farm, my crew is rushing to get lots of beautiful trees planted. Early fall is one of the best times to plant because the soil temperature is still mild.
Last week, my gardeners and outdoor grounds crew unloaded and lined up 80 trees from my friends at Select Horticulture, Inc. in nearby Pound Ridge, New York. This selection includes London plane cylinder and parasol trees, a Chinese Elm, hornbeams, and variety of lindens - panel lindens, cylinder lindens, and parasol lindens. I decided to plant most of them near the north entrance to my living maze. 21 are now planted in two separate rows along both edges of this lower section of the space, and it looks great.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
There is always so much happening at my farm. On this day, several truck loads of trees are delivered from Select Horticulture. Every tree is carefully positioned and strapped for the short drive.
It’s team work that gets this job done quickly and efficiently, Here is Phurba helping to prepare the tree for unloading.
And then using the trusted Hi-Lo, Pete delivers it to the maze field, where it will stay until it is moved to its more permanent location.
Here they are – 80 trees in all. 14 London planes, 1 Chinese elm, 23 hornbeam pillars, and 42 lindens.
I instructed my crew where I wanted some of the lindens planted. My outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring, goes over the area with the Classen Pro HSC18 sod cutter. The landscape twine indicates where the trees will be lined up and the flags are where they will be planted – 15 feet apart.
And then the digging begins. Chhiring maneuvers my Kubota M62 tractor loader and backhoe to dig holes for the trees.
At each carefully measured spot, Chhiring uses the backhoe to remove the soil.
When planting any tree, the hole should be twice the width of the root ball and equal in depth. This allows the tree’s roots to spread easily and get the oxygen it needs. The sides should also be at an angle to help the roots get properly established.
Alex sprinkles a generous amount of fertilizer into the hole and the surrounding soil. Remember, “if you eat, so should your plants.” I use Miracle-Gro Organic All Purpose Plant Food. It’s full of essential nutrients and won’t burn the plants.
Alex manually helps to dig the holes to the appropriate depth.
It is all done in an assembly line process. The crew prepares all 10 holes first, adds fertilizer and then some water.
Here, Adan and Alex begin the task of removing all the plastic and burlap wrapping and wiring from around the root balls.
The materials hold together the root ball so that chunks of heavy soil do not fall out or tear roots. The wrapping protects the roots from dehydration and sunburn and allows trees to be safely moved.
Then, one by one, each tree is carefully placed into its designated hole. Each one of these linden cylinders, Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ Cylinder, trees is tall and heavy. Adan helps to hold the tree as it is lowered.
A crucial step in growing healthy trees is to plant them at the proper depth. Planting a tree too deep can kill it. Plant it only at its flare – the bulge just above the root system where the roots begin to branch away from the trunk. Digging a wide planting hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment.
Alex and Adan make sure the tree is completely straight with its best side facing inward before backfilling.
These trees need a good drink, so Pasang adds more water before they are completely backfilled.
Next, the hole is backfilled and tamped down lightly to establish good contact between the soil and the tree’s root ball.
These Greenspire Lindens have small heart-shaped green leaves that turn yellow in fall. These are already starting to change. Tiny yellow fragrant flowers appear in early summer.
Linden trees thrive in full sun and need six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day for optimal growth. This area is perfect.
How many trees do you see? It is important to line them all up just right. The trees are already in their designated holes, but it looks like just one. They are all planted just right. The same is done on the opposite side of the field. One phase of this huge project is done. Stay tuned to see more.
Located on a scenic country road in Pound Ridge, New York, is Select Horticulture, Inc., a successful and trustworthy nursery offering premium quality trees and shrubs, large and unusual specimens, with both stand-alone and mature espaliered options.
Visiting local nurseries is a great way to learn about the plants and trees that can flourish in one's area. It's also where one can get expert advice on selecting and maintaining those specimens. I have many trees and shrubs from Select Horticulture Inc. at my farm. All of them are beautiful, well-rooted plantings that thrive in my allées, gardens, groves, around my pool, and in my living maze. Among them - tall American Sweetgums, yews, privets, eastern redbuds, Japanese maples, boxwood, Ginkgo biloba Goldspire Obelisk trees, and others. If you're in Westchester, New York or Lancaster, Massachusetts and are looking for healthy, well-nurtured trees, be sure to stop in and check out the inventory at Select Horticulture Inc.
Here are a few photos, enjoy.
Select Horticulture Inc. is filled with beautiful and well maintained specimens, which can be seen from the road.
Every row of trees and shrubs is neat, tidy, and every item is properly tagged and identified.
All the trees at Select Horticulture Inc. are meticulously wrapped and tied. Always look for well maintained root balls which are crucial for good transport, handling, and planting at its new location.
And every tree is connected to an extensive water irrigation system. There are multiple stakes in each root ball that connect to the water source. All the trees are checked often to make sure they’re getting the water they need.
Close to the office is a display of Japanese maples. This is Acer palmatum Dissectum ‘Viridis,’ a laceleaf Japanese maple. It is a dwarf, multi-stemmed tree with a low, spreading habit and graceful, cascading branches. In the fall, the leaves turn golden yellow with splashes of crimson.
Nearby is this Picea abies ‘Acrocona’ – a unique Norway spruce cultivar with abundant reddish cones that contrast so wonderfully with the green foliage.
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino,’ also known as Japanese cedar or sugi, is a slender pyramidal evergreen conifer with a graceful habit.
It has pretty, soft green needles and round cones. This cedar is also resistant to deer damage.
Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ is among my favorite lilacs. Along with its sweetly fragrant ice blue flowers, it features dark green leaves in spring and summer that turn a striking burgundy color in the fall.
Cornus kousa ‘Greensleeves’ is a Kousa Dogwood, a small deciduous tree with large, broad glossy white flowers in early summer and large red fruit in fall.
The crop of red fruits is a feast for visiting birds.
This is a single trunk version of the Little Lime panicle hydrangea. It features a rounded canopy with abundant flower clusters emerging bright lime green in summer and then pink in autumn. All the hydrangeas are looking so great this year.
Another hydrangea is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora,’ commonly known as PeeGee Hydrangea. It is a popular variety that typically grows eight to 15 feet tall with upright conical flowers that bloom in late summer to autumn from creamy white to pink to brown.
You may have seen these before… I have six of them surrounding my pool. These are Ginkgo biloba Goldspire Obelisk trees. These have very upright, tight fastigiate habits, with foliage that tends to be smaller than other species. The foliage is a rich shade of green, fan-shaped, and slightly curled. It keeps its color through summer, then turns buttery shades of yellow and gold in autumn before dropping.
Pinus thunbergii ‘Thunderhead’ is definitely eye-catching with its unique growth habit and rich, dark green, densely packed needles.
The cones of the ‘Thunderhead’ pine are up to three inches long, oval, and greenish brown.
This pine is Pinus parviflora ‘Glauca’ with attractive blue-green needles and an upright growth habit.
Its cones are reddish-brown and can persist on a tree for more than five years.
Picea orientalis ‘Gowdy’ is a slow-growing, narrow upright tree with glossy, dark green foliage held close to the stems on sweeping downward branches.
And here is a Parrotia persica ‘JL Columnar,’ which features dark green leaves that turn vibrant shades of red and purple in autumn. I love these parrotia trees and have many at my farm.
There’s still a lot of time to plant in the garden, so stop in at a local nursery. You’ll learn a lot and most likely find something you love to take home.
Select Horticulture Inc. has locations in Lancaster, Massachusetts and here in Westchester, New York right off route 137. It’s owned by Scott Richard and Jim Freeborn who are often at the nurseries ready to answer any questions. Maybe I’ll see you there also.
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