Tag Archives: Trees

Fire-wise & Native: Port Orford Cedar

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Plant Name: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray) Parl.) Photo by Gary A. Monroe, USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database 

Common name: Port Orford Cedar

Plant type: Conifer Evergreen Tree (not a true cedar)

Height: 110’ – 180’ (Note: this is a huge tree. It’s not recommended for residential landscapes) *See uses below.

Spread: 30’ – 60’

Bloom Time: Cones, Not Flowers

Flower Color: Inconspicuous; Female Cone Green to Blue-Green Ripening to Brown; Male Cones Dark Brown to Red

Exposure: Sun or Partial Shade

Soil Requirements: Well-Drained, Moist; High Organic Matter

Water Needs: High to Moderate

Attributes: Male Pollen Cones on Tips of Branchlets; Winter Interest; Deer Resistant; Nesting Places for Wildlife; Wildlife Food Source;

Note: Short Ascending Branches, Drooping at Tips; Narrow, Pyramidal, Buttressed Trunk;Being Attacked by a Root Rot Fungus, Phytophthora lateralis, Which is Devastating the Species in the US; Phytophthora lateralis is a fungus which has spread through the native range of this tree at a rapid rate. It causes an often-fatal root rot disease which poses a significant threat to the survival of the species; Dead Branches may be Pruned, but do not cut into Living Wood. Prune in Winter when Wood Boring Insects are Less active

*Uses: Huge tree that is infrequently grown in landscapes.! A large number of compact to dwarf cultivars of this species are available in commerce for ornamental plantings; Hedge

Firewise: Considered a Firewise plant but do not plant a Port Orford Cedar within 50 feet of your house or outbuildings.

Native To: Coast of Southwestern OR, Siskiyou Mountains, Mount Shasta

Oregon Native: YES

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 – 8

Article by: Viki Ashford, AGC member

https://calscape.org/plant/Chamaecyparis-lawsoniana-%28Port-Orford-Cedar%29/gallery#

AGC Member of Distinction: Michael Dawkins

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Michael’s Garden: Michael used the Hugelkultur method of composting to reclaim and generate soil on an asphalted slope flanking his condo’s parking lot located behind Ashland’s Safeway. The outcome is remarkable!

Hugelkultur (pronounced hyoo-gul-kulture) is a German word which means mound culture or hill culture. A hugelkultur is a sloped and raised planting bed filled with wood (large and small), organic materials, and topsoil. This gardening method has be practiced in German and European for hundreds of years.

2020 Fall Colors

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  • Japanese Maple
  • @Mill Pond
  • Japanese Maple
  • Flowering Cherry
  • Raywood Ash & Maple
  • Sunset Maple
  • @Lithia Park – Japanese Garden
2020 Fall Colors in Ashland Oregon

Photos by AGC Members :

Barbara Bauer, Carlotta Lucas, Linda Thomas, Viki Ashford, Donna Rhee,

Acer palmatum- Japanese Maple

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Botanical Name:  Acer palmatum
Common Name: Japanese maple (many named varieties are available).                                    Type: Tree
Family: Sapindaceae
Height: 10.00 to 25.00 feet
Spread: 10.00 to 25.00 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Description: Reddish-purple
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Good Fall
Tolerate: Rabbit, Black Walnut
Invasive: Reseeds aggressively
Native Range: Korea, Japan
USDA Zone: 5-8

NOTE: Most Japanese maples are hardy in 5- 8, but some are recommended only to Zone 6.  Acer sieboldianum will grow in Zone 4. In Zones 4 and in northern sections of Zone 5 protect J. maples from cold winds.  In Zone 8 protect J. maples from the afternoon sun.

Culture

Easily grown in moist, organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Grows well in sandy loams. May be grown in full sun in the northern parts of its growing range, but prefers some part afternoon shade in the southern areas of its growing range. New foliage may scorch in full sun locations in hot summers areas, particularly if soils are not kept consistently moist. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Site in locations protected from strong winds. Avoid hot and dry sites. Fertilize in spring before leaves emerge. Pruning is best kept to a minimum, but if needed should be done in late fall to mid winter. Spring or summer pruning often results in significant bleeding.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Acer palmatum, commonly called Japanese maple, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that typically grows to 10-25′ (infrequently to 40′) tall. It is native to Japan, Korea and China. General plant form is rounded to broad-rounded, often with low branching. Each palmate green leaf (2-5″ long) has 5 or 7 but less frequently 9 pointed toothed lobes. Small reddish-purple flowers in umbels bloom in mid spring (April). The flowers are rather attractive close up, but are not particularly showy from a distance. Flowers are followed by samaras (to 3/4″ long) in pairs. Samaras ripen in September-October. Fall color includes shades of yellow, red-purple and bronze. Cultivars (often grafted) are quite variable.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Potential disease problems include stem canker, leaf spots, fusarium, verticillium wilt, botrytis, anthracnose and root rots. Potential insect pests include aphids, scale, borers and root weevils. Mites may be troublesome. Foliage tends to leaf out early in spring and is subject to damage from late spring frosts. Chlorosis may occur in high pH soils.

Garden Uses

Japanese maples are generally grown for their attractive foliage and shape. Specimen/accent or group around the home or yard or periphery of the border. Good sun-dappled understory tree. Woodland garden margins. Screen. Bonsai.

Kwanzan Flowering Cherry

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The Kwanzan Flowering Cherry Tree,  is the showiest of all cherry trees. It’s light and dark pink blossoms are doubled, so its petal production creates more blossoms than any other flowering tree.  Its blossoms are large thick clusters of 3-5 flowers, which look similar to carnations, and loads the tree with stunning flowers!  This is an ornamental cherry, so it does not produce fruit. Kwanzan Cherry Trees bloom in April.