Two handsome London planetrees now flank the north entrance gate to my living maze.
The London planetree, Platanus acerifolia 'Bloodgood,' is a relative of the mighty sycamore. It is actually a cross between two sycamore species - Platanus occidentalis, the American sycamore, and Platanus orientalis, the Oriental plane. Right now, these trees are about 10-feet tall, but they are fast growing and will reach up to 75 to 100-feet at full maturity with beautiful parasol canopies - a perfect choice for this spot.
Enjoy these photos.
The London planetree is a large shade tree with a broad crown that can be grown with a parasol top like this or with a more rectangular and upright panel like those I planted within the maze last fall.
The leaves of the London planetree are simple and alternate. They grow six to seven inches wide and are leathery leaves that have three to five lobes each, similar to the maple. The leaf color is bright green and the margins are predominantly un-toothed.
I wanted the trees to flank this gate at the north end of my maze. In the distance, one can see my home. At first, I thought the trees would be best inside the gate, but my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring Sherpa, suggested they be planted outside the gate – and we all agreed.
Once the exact locations were measured and marked, the digging began.
The holes must be pretty wide – at least two to five times as wide as the root ball.
The hole sides should also be slanted. Digging a wide planting hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment. After the hole is dug, a good fertilizer made especially for transplanting trees is added to the existing soil.
Chhiring measures the root ball to ensure the hole is big enough.
And here he is measuring the hole. The tree is very heavy, so the hole must be the right size before the tree is moved into position.
Next, Chhiring begins to remove the twine securing the wire cage to the root ball.
And here he is cutting the wire from around the the root ball.
Then, securing chains to the bottom of the wire cage still intact, Chhiring carefully moves the tree into position with our trusted Hi-Lo.
Once it is lowered into the hole, the wire cage is removed in its entirety. If left untouched, these wrapping materials could reduce the ability of a tree’s roots to grow out into the surrounding soil. Some gardeners will leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove everything, so there is nothing blocking its root growth.
And here is the wire and twine completely removed.
Pasang also removes the burlap from around the root ball.
Phurba adds more fertilizer once the tree is in place. It is very important to feed the plants and trees. I always say, “if you eat, your plants should eat.” We use a quality food with mycorrhizal fungi, which helps transplant survival and increases water and nutrient absorption. Now it is ready to backfill.
The same soil that was removed from the hole is returned around the tree and lightly tamped down to ensure good contact.
The same process is done with the other London plantetree.
The crew rotates the tree on its root ball to make sure it is completely straight and turned with its best side facing out. When moving heavy trees, only hold it by the root ball and the base of the trunk – never by its branches, which could easily break.
Mulch is then placed on top of the tree pit – but remember, “bare to the flare.” The root flare, also called the trunk flare, is where the first main roots attach to the trunk. Do not bury the flare. Tree roots need oxygen to grow. By keeping the root flare above ground level gives tree the best environment.
Phurba rakes the mulch so it looks neat and tidy.
And then Chhiring gives it a good drink. It should be watered regularly after planting to encourage a healthy root system, but then watering frequency can be reduced once established except during periods of extreme heat. Although the ‘Bloodgood” is not considered a drought-tolerant plant, this variety can tolerate short periods without water.
Both trees already look so beautiful here. And they will thrive in full sun. It’s always so exciting to see the gardens evolve around the farm.
We have little babies at my farm -- this time, baby turkeys, or chicks, or poults.
It's always exciting when baby fowl hatch successfully. I have been raising chickens, turkeys, geese, peafowl, and other birds for many years. Many of them are incubated and hatched in the feed room of my stable where they can be kept warm, safe, and closely monitored. Right now, we have six poults - all healthy, alert, and very cute.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
Down at the stable, we set up our incubating and hatching equipment from GQF Manufacturing, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia – a company that specializes in game bird and poultry supplies. There are several crucial conditions needed for proper embryo development in all birds. These factors include: proper temperature, controlled humidity, and sufficient air circulation.
Meanwhile, the brooder is prepared for when the chicks hatch and can be moved. A heat lamp is placed into the cage to keep it warm. Early on, it should be about 14-18 inches from the floor, but as they grow, it needs to be raised appropriately. The temperature starts at 95-degrees Fahrenheit and then decreased by five degrees every week until the turkeys are fully feathered at around six to eight weeks of age.
Fresh, clean water is always provided. In fact, every chick is personally shown where their food and water sources are, so they know where to find it.
We also keep soft toys in the brooder, so the chicks can perch on them.
And here are two of our babies, now a couple weeks old. The reddish tint is from the heat lamp.
In all, we have six. Raising baby turkeys is a lot like raising chickens. Both birds need good quality feed, fresh water, safe living spaces, clean bedding, adequate roosting areas, and nesting boxes.
These chicks are very healthy. And by nature, turkeys are docile, regal, and intelligent creatures.
They are also cleaner than chickens, in part because they don’t scratch the ground as much. This one is already perching on the toy.
Turkeys are also quite gentle – with each other and with all who visit. These babies love to play with each other and are not shy when visitors enter the room.
And do you know… turkeys can actually make more than 20 different noises. And, only adult male turkeys can gobble.
When young, poults should have a free-choice starter feed that is at least 28-percent protein. These poults are given a special starter food for the first several weeks.
At this stage, these baby turkeys are called chicks, or poults. When a chick grows up, it will be called a tom or gobbler if it is male, and a hen if it is female. Adolescent males are also called jakes.
It is still a bit difficult to determine the gender of each of our turkey chicks. At around three to four weeks of age the males may begin to strut or fan their tail feathers, drop their wings and hold out all of their contour feathers to make their bodies appear larger.
Here, one can see their feathers starting to come in. On males, these feathers have black tips. The feather tips are brown on females. This one may be a male turkey.
And, looking closely, this one could be a female.
Healthy turkey chick eyes are bright, wide open, and free of discharge or swelling. I am so glad all these chicks are doing so well.
They are also very curious and are always watching all the activity around their cage.
These two came up to the door of their brooder to say hello.
I’ll be sure to share more photos of our flock as they grow and move into the outdoor enclosure with all our other adolescent fowl. Stay tuned…
After more than three years of renovation, New York City's iconic Tiffany & Co. Fifth Avenue flagship store, named "The Landmark," is open.
A spectacular star-studded celebration at the newly transformed space marked the official opening last week. Guests had the opportunity to walk around the boutique and see its redesigned interior by architect Peter Marino - now totaling 100,000 square feet. This was the first time the 10-floor store had been renovated since opening in 1940. There was also LIVE DJ music and performances by the Radio City Rockettes and singer-songwriter, Katy Perry. The next time you're in Manhattan, stop by and visit "The Landmark" - maybe you'll even walk out with a special "blue box."
Here are some photos from the event, enjoy.
Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany. This Fifth Avenue building has served as Tiffany & Co.’s sixth flagship store since 1940. The building contains a facade of granite and limestone.
I attended the reopening with my friends Susan Magrino, Andy Yu, Stephen Sills, and Kevin Sharkey, who took this photo.
The arched windows were brightly lit with shades of blue. When turned on, they transform into video wall installations projecting views of Central Park and the Manhattan Skyline. They are actually mirrors when turned off.
Guests entered through the front door to a completely transformed space. Wait staff stood at one side to welcome guests with glasses of champagne. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.)
Guests were able to view many jewelry displays including these precious High Jewelry pieces by Jean Schlumberger.
Here, an archive display of jewelry is surrounded by ice cream cones.
I stopped for this photo with Wes Gordon, Carolina Herrera Creative Director, and glassblower, Paul Arnhold.
This is Julian Schnabel’s Table and Plates – in iconic “Tiffany blue.”
Here is a Tiffany Wisteria collection. It draws from wisteria-inspired masterpieces from The Tiffany Archives.
And this luxurious and timeless Valse Bleue design showcases an elegant floral motif. The unique pattern is an ode to the 1960s tableware from The Tiffany Archives.
This display includes Elsa Peretti’s Bone candlesticks and thumbprint bowls.
And this is a Tiffany & Co. Classic Square Decanter.
On the sixth floor, visitors can view products in the Lifestyle, Home, and Tiffany Baby collections and dine at the Blue Box Café featuring breakfast and tea menus from Daniel Boulud.
Also on the same floor, lots of Tiny Tiffany Piggy Banks – this one in green earthenware.
Here is a view from one of the upper floor windows looking down over 57th street.
The event also included a performance by the Radio City Rockettes. If you’re unfamiliar with this dance company, it is an American precision group founded in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. The group has performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City since 1932. (Photo by BFA/Sansho Scott)
Katy Perry performed a few of her hits including her very first single, “I Kissed a Girl.” (Photo by BFA/Sansho Scott)
Here is the original “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” script. Did you see the movie?
And here I am at the center of the boutique standing on a sweeping curvilinear staircase crafted in cerused oak, with transparent balustrades and angled infinity mirrors inspired by Elsa Peretti’s organic forms.
The evening was so much fun and a wonderful way to welcome everyone back to Tiffany & Co. I hope you get a chance to visit the next time you’re in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.)
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