Saturday, January 1, 2011

SALT TOLERANT Trees and Shrubs

The following Trees and Shrubs are selected from Landscape Ontario’s Survival Guide for Professionals.

Trees and Shrubs with High Salt Tolerance Green Ash	Fraxinus americana
Shademaster Locust	Gelditsia triacanthos
Larch	Larix species
Colorado Spruce	Picea pungens
Austrian Pine	Pinus nigra
Ornamental Pears	Pyrus species
Large Toothed Aspen	Populus grandidentata
Red Oak	Quercus rubra
Siberian Pea	Caragana arborescens
Junipers	Juniperus species
Honeysuckle	Lonicera species
Bridlewreath Spirea	Spiraea x Vanhouttei
Snowberry	Symphoricarpus species
Lilacs	Syringa species

Trees and Shrubs with Moderate Salt Tolerance Silver Maple	Acer Saccharinum
Paper Birch	Betula papyrifera
Catalpa	Catalpa species
Norway Spruce	Picea abies
Basswood	Tilia americana
Shrub Maple	Acer ginnala
Boxwood	Buxus microphylla
Forsythia	Forsythia x intermedia
Mockorange	Philadelphus species
Firethorn	Pyracantha species
Cranberry Viburnum	Viburnum trilobum

Armed with this information we should now be able to better design the gardens near our driveways, streets and public areas where salting is necessary to enable public access in our far to long winters.

Trees tolerant of saline soils or salt spray Common name	Latin name	Deciduous/Evergreen	Type of salt tolerance
Hedge maple	Acer campestre	D	Salt spray
Sycamore maple	Acer pseudoplatanus	D	Salt spray
Horsechestnut	Aesculus hippocastanum	D	Salt spray
Red buckeye	Aesculus pavia	D	Saline soils
Paper birch	Betula papyrifera	D	Salt spray
Gray birch	Betula populifolia	D	Salt spray
Catalpa	Catalpa speciosa	D	Salt spray
Hackberry	Celtis laevigata	D	Salt spray
White fringetree	Chionanthus virginicus	D	Saline soils
Lavalle hawthorne	Crataegus x lavallei	D	Salt spray
Japanese cedar	Cryptomeria japonica	E	Salt spray
Common persimmon	Diospyros virginiana	D	Saline soils, salt spray
White ash	Fraxinus americana	D	Saline soils, salt spray
European ash	Fraxinus excelsior	D	Salt spray
Green ash	Fraxinus	D	Salt spray

pennsylvanica

Ginkgo	Ginkgo biloba	D	Salt spray
Honeylocust	Gleditsia triacanthos	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Kentucky coffeetree	Gymnocladus dioicus	D	Salt spray
American holly	Ilex opaca	E	Salt spray
Black walnut	Juglans nigra	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Eastern red cedar	Juniperus virginiana	E	Saline soils, salt spray
Goldenraintree	Koelreuteria paniculata	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Common larch	Larix decidua	D	Salt spray
Sweetgum	Liquidambar styraciflua	D	Salt spray
Southern magnolia1	Magnolia grandiflora	E	Saline soils, salt spray
Sweetbay magnolia	Magnolia virginiana	E	Saline soils
Black gum	Nyssa sylvatica	D	Salt spray
Colorado spruce2	Picea pungens	E	Salt spray
Austrian pine	Pinus nigra	E	Salt spray
Longleaf pine1	Pinus palustris	E	Salt spray
Japanese black pine	Pinus thunbergiana	E	Saline soils, salt spray
White poplar	Populus alba	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Carolina cherrylaurel1	Prunus caroliniana	D	Saline soils
Black cherry	Prunus serotina	D	Salt spray
White oak	Quercus alba	D	Saline soils
Bur oak	Quercus macrocarpa	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Pin oak	Quercus palustris	D	Saline soils
Willow oak	Quercus phellos	D	Salt spray

English oak	Quercus robur	D	Salt spray
Red oak2	Quercus rubra	D	Saline soils
Live oak1	Quercus virginiana	E	Saline soils, salt spray
Black locust	Robinia pseudoacacia	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Weeping willow	Salix alba	D	Salt spray
Corkscrew willow	Salix matsudana	D	Salt spray
Japanese pagodatree	Sophora japonica	D	Salt spray
Japanese tree lilac	Syringa reticulata	D	Saline soil, salt spray
Baldcypress	Taxodium distichum	D	Saline soils, salt spray
Chastetree1	Vitex angus-castus	D	Saline soils

A selective list of salt tolerant plants is as follows: Deciduous Shrubs:	Deciduous Trees:
Amelanchier spp. (Serviceberry)(Saskatoon)	Acer campestre (Hedge Maple)

Acer pseudoplatanus (Sycamore Maple)

Aronia spp. (Chokeberry)	Aesculus hippocastanum (Common Horsechestnut)
Caragana arborescens (Siberian Pea Shrub)	Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven)
Cytisus spp. (Broom)	Betula (Birch)
Hamamelis spp. (Witch Hazel)	Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
Hibiscus syriacus and cvs. (Rose of Sharon)
Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn)	Fraxinus americana (White Ash and cvs.)
Hydrangea spp.and cvs. (Hydrangea)	Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash)
Hypericum (most) (St. John's Wort)	Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Green Ash)

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)	Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)
Lonicera tatarica 'Zabelli' (Zabel's Honeysuckle)	Gleditsia triacanthos inermis and cvs. (Honey Locust)
Lonicera xylosteum (European Fly Honeysuckle)	Gymnocladus dioica (Kentucky Coffee Tree)

Magnolia (most)

Myrica pennsylvanica (Northern Bayberry)	Nyssa sylvatica (Blackgum)
Philadelphus spp. and cvs. (Mockorange)	Populus spp. (Poplar)
Potentilla (Cinquefoil)	Prunus x cistena (Sand Cherry)
Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)	Quercus alba (White Oak)
Rhodotypos scandens (Black Jetbead)
Rhus (Sumac)	Quercus rubra (Red Oak)
Ribes alpinum (Alpine Currant)	Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust)

Salix and cvs. (Willow)

Rosa (shrub types) (Shrubby Roses, e.g.. Rosa rugosa)

Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree)

Sorbus (Mountain Ash)

Shepherdia argentea (Silver Buffalo Berry)

Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry)	Conifers:
Tamarix ramosissima (Fivestamen Tamarisk)	Larix decidua (European Larch)
Viburnum dentatum (Arrowwood)	Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch)

Picea glauca (White Spruce)

Broadleaf Evergreens:	Picea glauca (Colorado Blue pungens Spruce)
Cotoneaster divaricata (Spreading Cotoneaster)	Pinus banksiana (Jack Pine)
Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle)	Pinus mugho mughus (Mountain Pine)

Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine)

Groundcovers:	Pinus parviflora (Japanese White Pine)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry)	Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine)

Erica spp. (Spring Heath)	Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine)
Iberis sempervirens (Edging Candytuft)	Platycladus orientalis (Oriental Arborvitae)
Potentilla (Shrubby Cinquefoil)	Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)
Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry)
Vaccinum and cvs. (Blueberry/Cranberry)

Friday, December 31, 2010

Guide to Container Gardening /Building Wood and Cedar Containers

1. Standard Square Cedar Box

2.Cedar Window Box.

3. Rectangular Cedar box

How to Build Cedar Planters

Cedar planter boxes can add curb-appeal and structural emphasis to your yard, patio or windows. Building your own cedar planters is relatively cost-effective and can be done quickly and efficiently with the proper resources. Cedar is a softwood lumber typically used in outdoors projects because of its natural ability to resist insects and decay. A planter box's basic rectangular design consists of two end pieces, two side pieces and a bottom piece.

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

Measuring tape
Hand saw or circular saw
Wood glue
Level
Galvanized screws
Drill
Planter liner

Measure the space where your planter box will be located.
Cut the box's side and end pieces to fit the measurements of the space. The side and end pieces should be the same height and width. The two side pieces should be identical in length and longer than the end pieces to give the planter its rectangular shape. The two end pieces should be identical in length and short compared to the side pieces
Affix the side pieces to the end pieces using wood glue to create the planter frame, and use a level to confirm the planter's angles and measurements are correct. Adjust if necessary.
Secure the side pieces to the end pieces using galvanized screws.
Measure and cut the bottom piece to fit the existing frame.
Drill drainage holes in the bottom piece to allow excess water to flow out of the box.
Affix the bottom piece to the frame using wood glue and use a level to confirm the angles and measurements. Adjust if necessary.
Secure the bottom piece to the frame using galvanized screws.
Cut a vinyl or nylon liner to fit the interior bottom of the box and insert it into your planter. This liner will prevent dirt and debris from leaking out of the drainage hole

Be sure to insulate your Cedar Containers with foam insulation before filling with potting soil so that your trees and shrub specimens can over winter in the box or containers After lining the container with the foam insulation , then put a layer of burlap material to separate foam from potting soil. Insulate with 3/4 inch Styrofoam material as shown below.

Cut the foam to line the interior of the container or box.

What I do, is break up the foam for the bottom so that the broken pieces of foam completely cover the bottom surface to allow for drainage.

Selecting the right tree

A properly planted and maintained tree will grow faster and live longer. Optimum planting time is early
spring after the ground is thawed and before the tree begins to actively develop foliage. This is the time
to plant bare root trees. Trees can be planted during the summer and fall once they have fully leafed out
as long as they are potted or balled and burlapped. In either case, planting as early as possible allows
the tree to develop a strong root system prior to the winter season.

Before Digging, be sure to locate any underground water lines , electrical or gas lines so as to not
disrupt, damage or cause leaks!

Dig a hole twice as wide and slightly shallower than the root ball. Roughen the sides and bottom of the
hole with a pick or shovel so that roots can penetrate the soil.
If you are planting a potted tree, gently remove the tree from the container. Lay the tree on its side with
the container end near the planting hole. Hit the bottom and sides of the container until the root ball is
loosened. If roots are growing in a circular pattern around the root ball, slice through the roots on a
couple of sides. If your tree is burlap wrapped, remove the string or wire that holds the burlap to the
root crown. It is not necessary to completely remove the burlap. Plastic wraps must be completely
removed. Gently separate circling roots on the root ball, shorten exceptionally long roots, and guide the
shortened roots downward and outward. Root tips die quickly when exposed to light and air.
Place the root ball in the hole. Leave the top of the root ball (where the roots end and the trunk begins)
1/2 to 1 inch above the surrounding soil, making sure not to cover it unless roots are exposed. For bare
root plants, make a mound of soil in the middle of the hole and spread plant roots out evenly over
mound. Do not set trees too deep
collapse air pockets, or add water to help settle the soil. Form a temporary water basin around the base
of the tree to encourage water penetration, and water thoroughly after planting. A tree with a dry root
ball cannot absorb water; if the root ball is extremely dry, allow water to trickle into the soil by placing
the hose at the trunk of the tree. Mulch around the tree.

Selecting the right tree can substantially increase the value of your property. An inappropriate tree for your property can be a constant maintenance problemor even a hazard.
Take advantage of the abundant references on gardening at local libraries, universities, arboretums,
native plant and gardening clubs, or Plant World Garden Centre. The City Forester can assist with the
decision if you desire to plant on the city's boulevard or other public right of way.
Questions to consider in selecting a tree:
- What purpose will this tree serve?
Trees can serve numerous landscape functions including beautification, screening of sights and sounds,
shade and energy conservation and wildlife habitat.
- Is the species appropriate for your area?
Reliable nurseries don't sell plants unsuitable for your area. Even if a tree is hardy, it may not flower
consistently due to late spring freezes. Consider this If you are buying a tree for the spring flowers and
fall fruits.
Select trees native to your area.
They will be more tolerant of local weather and soil conditions.
- How big will it get?
When planting a small tree, it is often difficult to imagine that in 20 years it could be shading your
entire yard. Unfortunately, many trees are planted and later removed when the tree grows beyond the
dimensions of the property.
- Does it have any particular ornamental value such as leaf color or flowers and fruits?
Some species provide beautiful color for short periods in the spring or fall. Other species may have
foliage that is reddish or variegated and can add color in your landscaping year round.
- Does it have any particular insect, disease, or other problem that may reduce its usefulness?
Certain insects and diseases can be serious problems on some species. Depending on the pest, control
of the problem may be difficult and the pest may significantly reduce the attractiveness, if not the life
expectancy, of the plant. Other species such as the silver maple
susceptible to damage in ice storms or heavy winds.
- How common is this species in your neighborhood or town?
Some species are over-planted. Increasing the natural diversity will provide habitat for wildlife and
help limit the opportunity for a single pest to destroy all plantings.
- Is the tree evergreen or deciduous?
Evergreen trees will provide cover and shade year round. They may also be more effective as a barrier
for wind and noise. Deciduous trees will give you summer shade but allow the winter sun to shine in.
This may be a consideration for where to place the tree in your yard.

If you need assistance with the tree selection or planting process or have and questions please contact:

Call Jamie/ 905 580-9041 (Leave a message)or
Email/ tree.jamie@yahoo.ca

You will be promptly helped!

Planting Location