MI( IiAI l 1 HOMPSON <br /> Once an opaque screen of leaves and <br /> branches, this oak had a quarter of its <br /> mass removed to reveal the view beyond <br /> without changing the tree's character <br /> •• <br /> t t <br /> • ` > e• <br /> • . 4, 4 % 4, 1 7, � . l , +ii►. ..1." � " it � ~ �i • <br /> .. - q� t , � * a .. A ip c ice, <br /> • ` • 1....„,--- +s a ' tic... 4./ t. � ',' :Ir <br /> i � a7 � 1�r , ;, k i . • <br /> , '., is e .: .., It 406. 1 • �, e- <br /> w + . • ,' a -.,. <br /> • ,SIC- � ' _ b. t 1 11••'r i. <br /> Ay <br /> f X "5- i .0. : -.,--_- ---3-2! -::::::..s.:, "i - ,,,,,„ I% . <br /> • }' <br /> .3� ^l ' 41‘t.14' .. .. <br /> �� -�� rte N �, �r .,r <br /> +� '' `" alf„4 ' _ '. , Arborist prunes out sucker growth that <br /> ' ° ' y "; grew after heart' pruning a year earlier. <br /> ,#,: _ g f P g y <br /> - -** Ropes and experience keep him safe <br /> these trees are until they move in behind garden, where Mr. Ahlijian opened up a enough to the tree that branches had to be <br /> one. The white oak's mass —the very view through the tree without hurting the removed to allow construction. At one <br /> thing that makes it an excellent shade- tree's ability to block wind and screen the point, in fact, Mr. Ahlijian was removing <br /> maker, windbreak, and classic beauty— house from the street. branches as needed to give builders room <br /> can also block a nice view. to work. The result is a tree that fits hand <br /> The way to handle that is not to top; that When the view isn't the issue ... in glove with the site's architecture. <br /> would just frame the view with a disfig- In landscapes where views aren't para- A few houses away, Mr. and Mrs. Don <br /> ured tree. mount, oaks can be pruned to make them Tykeson` were concerned that a pair of <br /> The better solution is to thin. In the pie- fit in more harmoniously with houses built prize old oaks might be damaged by the <br /> lure above, you see the result of such on the same site. new house construction they planned. <br /> pruning in Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Cougill's For example. one house was sited close (While Oregon white oaks grow in almost <br /> any kind of soil, their roots are sensitive to <br /> - - -2 r any disturbance in the root zone: heavy <br /> �i: •'?,'63 • ' `' x equipment, paving, and changes in grade <br /> What can coexist with a white oak? can all do as much damage as cutting <br /> roots outright.) To protect the root zone <br /> . 'it e ,l i In contrast to most common garden plants, under their trees, the Tykesons installed a <br /> r '` Oregon white oaks like it dry. If you put temporary fence around them and had • .: _ y other plants under these trees (oaks don't Mr. Ahlijian guy and remove branches <br /> „ , ., • .,„,„4: : °. mind the competition), choose varieties that that grew into the space the house would <br /> . „. ifje • don't need extra water after their first occupy. <br /> E A,, x s summer, and mulch heavily. With that in <br /> ' ""' ' <br /> + _ •: -4' mind, here's a list of companion plants. Doing the work <br /> - ' i'" - " i i Bulbs, p erennials, ferns. T blue -e <br /> , ' _ r - . '�;. .-� Pruning large trees is difficult and daiitn's - <br /> • , �J si - grass and Pacific Coast iris in mostly sun or <br /> 4 ° '' light shade; bishop's weed, Erythronium, gerous. Unless you re experienced, <br /> Ne!leborus joeridus, scilla (Endymion best to leave serious tree work to an arbor - <br /> ."7:4;.: i t c '-. species), Western sword fern in full shade. ist with a good eye (ask to see examples of <br /> : • ! •t ' . Ground covers. Creeping St. Johnswort, work already done). <br /> t -y Y" );D kinnikinnick, and sedums work best in light Pruning can be done at any time of year. <br /> , o i I�' - shade; English ivy, sweet woodruff, and Winter pruning is recommended by some <br /> e , !.4 c� vancouveria can take moderate shade. professionals because more branches are <br /> . '• t t= •• _ � S hrubs. If you use any at all, choose low- visible then. But by pruning when leaves <br /> � " . " 4.. <br /> • ' , : 1; �� %, ., . • g rowing ones. For brightest areas, use Russian olive, sweet briar, or prostrate are on the tree, you will minimize later <br /> •a> e, ;?t j • jun For more shade, try evergreen sucker growth (new shoots that grow <br /> g .. huckleberry, Oregon grape, salal, and yew. around old tree cuts). 0 <br /> • - ' • ► .L ► M• `'i( •.. SUNSET <br /> ` r . <br />