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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
(Yeesh, not sure I'm attaching this pic right... anyway...)
This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#2
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 04 Apr 2003 13:43:09 -0800, Lilly wrote:
(Yeesh, not sure I'm attaching this pic right... anyway...) This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! ~Lilly DOH! Obviously didn't do this right. Anyway, it's your basic conifer in the middle of a big, neglected, steep mound of dirt, with three way-to-big Rhodies planted around it. (Can't imagine the tree likes them much anyway.) Feeling Mighty Dumb, ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#3
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
You should subscribe to "alt.binaries.pictures.gardens" and post the picture
there. If you are talking about piling soil up arount the trunk of the tree DON'T DO IT. It will eventually kill the tree. -- Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington USDA Zone 8b Sunset Zone 5 |
#4
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
(Yeesh, not sure I'm attaching this pic right... anyway...)
Do NOT post pictures to a non-binaries newsgroup. Subscribe to alt.binaries.pictures.gardens and put it there or put it up on a website. This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! I'd be interested in seeing the picture to use as a backdrop for your posting -- something's not quiet meshing in your description. On the one hand you're talking about 10 feet across, then you're talking about building rings...? FWIW, I would not recommend building a retaining wall out of stone. I have a few of them here -- not fun, not fun at all. From your description, it sounds like you might find it better to terrace the area a bit instead. I also noted in your other post that the tree is in the middle of a mound of dirt -- you start building retaining walls you may damage the root system either directly or indirectly. Remember that the mound is a fully function ecosphere of its own -- including the rhodies. As for moving the Rhodies, be sure to move them to the right habitat -- they're a bit particular and I'm sure they very much like where they are (acidic soil, kept that way by the tree's droppings, likely a decent amount of shade, protection from wind, etc.). It's usually best to try to work WITH the existing scape than making radical alterations. Just some food for thought. James |
#5
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 04 Apr 2003 22:19:11 GMT, "Travis"
wrote: You should subscribe to "alt.binaries.pictures.gardens" and post the picture there. My mistake, again, sorry. If you are talking about piling soil up arount the trunk of the tree DON'T DO IT. It will eventually kill the tree. There already is soil piled up around the trunk, or maybe a better way to put it, is that the tree is planted on top of a mound of soil. I'd like to make it look a bit nicer, take out the big rhodies and replace them with smaller plants. ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#6
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Fri, 4 Apr 2003 17:49:37 -0500, "JNJ" wrote:
Do NOT post pictures to a non-binaries newsgroup. Subscribe to alt.binaries.pictures.gardens and put it there or put it up on a website. Sorry, my mistake. This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! I'd be interested in seeing the picture to use as a backdrop for your posting -- something's not quiet meshing in your description. On the one hand you're talking about 10 feet across, then you're talking about building rings...? I'm not sure what you're not sure of. It's a circular mound about 10 feet across, with a tree in the center. Planted around the tree are rhodies that have been there for years, and are way to big for under that tree. FWIW, I would not recommend building a retaining wall out of stone. I have a few of them here -- not fun, not fun at all. From your description, it sounds like you might find it better to terrace the area a bit instead. I also noted in your other post that the tree is in the middle of a mound of dirt -- you start building retaining walls you may damage the root system either directly or indirectly. Remember that the mound is a fully function ecosphere of its own -- including the rhodies. I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. As for moving the Rhodies, be sure to move them to the right habitat -- they're a bit particular and I'm sure they very much like where they are (acidic soil, kept that way by the tree's droppings, likely a decent amount of shade, protection from wind, etc.). Yup, got plenty of other acidic places to plant em in. It's usually best to try to work WITH the existing scape than making radical alterations. I wasn't going to make radical alterations. I wanted to add some rocks to keep the existing soil in, and the above things I've mentioned already. Just some food for thought. Thanks for your input. ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#7
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
Lilly wrote:
I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. Rhododendrons have very shallow roots. What kind of tree is it? How long have these things been planted on this mound? FYI sometimes a mound is called a berm. -- Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington USDA Zone 8b Sunset Zone 5 |
#8
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
Lilly wrote: On Fri, 4 Apr 2003 17:49:37 -0500, "JNJ" wrote: I'd be interested in seeing the picture to use as a backdrop for your posting -- something's not quiet meshing in your description. On the one hand you're talking about 10 feet across, then you're talking about building rings...? I'm not sure what you're not sure of. It's a circular mound about 10 feet across, with a tree in the center. Planted around the tree are rhodies that have been there for years, and are way to big for under that tree. FWIW, I would not recommend building a retaining wall out of stone. I have a few of them here -- not fun, not fun at all. From your description, it sounds like you might find it better to terrace the area a bit instead. I also noted in your other post that the tree is in the middle of a mound of dirt -- you start building retaining walls you may damage the root system either directly or indirectly. Remember that the mound is a fully function ecosphere of its own -- including the rhodies. I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. More likely the other way around - the tree roots are probably stressing out the rhodies. Rhododendrons have extremely shallow root systems, but lots of surface feeder roots, as does the tree. Root systems are proportional to the size of the plant - the large tree will have a far larger and more widespread root system than the rhodies and also much more aggressive in terms of removing moisture and nutrients from the soil. If the rhodies are already well established, I wouldn't move them. The disruption to both them and the tree from root disturbance could be severe. From a design point of view, tiering down from larger plants - the tree to rhodies to hellebores to gorundcovers, etc - to smaller plants is more visually appealing. Also, neither the callas or hellbores will be happy in this dry shade situation. pam - gardengal |
#9
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Sat, 05 Apr 2003 00:56:54 GMT, "Travis"
wrote: Lilly wrote: I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. Rhododendrons have very shallow roots. What kind of tree is it? How long have these things been planted on this mound? FYI sometimes a mound is called a berm. (LOL! Thanks... my husband says I have a terminal case of "thingie" in describing objects.) I believe it's a Hemlock, and the Rhodies are about 10 years old, or so the owners tell me. I believe they've been planted on the berm for about 9 years. ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#10
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Sat, 05 Apr 2003 01:25:27 GMT, Pam wrote:
I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. More likely the other way around - the tree roots are probably stressing out the rhodies. Rhododendrons have extremely shallow root systems, but lots of surface feeder roots, as does the tree. Root systems are proportional to the size of the plant - the large tree will have a far larger and more widespread root system than the rhodies and also much more aggressive in terms of removing moisture and nutrients from the soil. I see, that makes sense. Actually, the Rhodies haven't looked very well since we've been here. The owners have about 5 Rhodies in tiny planters and other places that are just terribly overgrown and need more room. I have some perfect spots for them to go to, and I was thinking of replacing some of them with Gardenias. If the rhodies are already well established, I wouldn't move them. The disruption to both them and the tree from root disturbance could be severe. From a design point of view, tiering down from larger plants - the tree to rhodies to hellebores to gorundcovers, etc - to smaller plants is more visually appealing. Also, neither the callas or hellbores will be happy in this dry shade situation. Ok, good to know. It's actually really moist there, I was thinking because of all the rain (Pacific Northwest) and we haven't spent a summer here yet. Well Hell's Bells, they're not doing well, but it would be a shame to loose such old specimens. Maybe I should just cut the Rhodies back? Argh... ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#11
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
Lilly wrote: On Sat, 05 Apr 2003 01:25:27 GMT, Pam wrote: I realize it may be a lot of work, but then I consider that kind of stuff fun. Go figure. I'm sure that the rhodies that are already there are damaging the trees roots. My idea was to replace the rhodies with very small shallow plants. More likely the other way around - the tree roots are probably stressing out the rhodies. Rhododendrons have extremely shallow root systems, but lots of surface feeder roots, as does the tree. Root systems are proportional to the size of the plant - the large tree will have a far larger and more widespread root system than the rhodies and also much more aggressive in terms of removing moisture and nutrients from the soil. I see, that makes sense. Actually, the Rhodies haven't looked very well since we've been here. The owners have about 5 Rhodies in tiny planters and other places that are just terribly overgrown and need more room. I have some perfect spots for them to go to, and I was thinking of replacing some of them with Gardenias. If the rhodies are already well established, I wouldn't move them. The disruption to both them and the tree from root disturbance could be severe. From a design point of view, tiering down from larger plants - the tree to rhodies to hellebores to gorundcovers, etc - to smaller plants is more visually appealing. Also, neither the callas or hellbores will be happy in this dry shade situation. Ok, good to know. It's actually really moist there, I was thinking because of all the rain (Pacific Northwest) and we haven't spent a summer here yet. Well Hell's Bells, they're not doing well, but it would be a shame to loose such old specimens. Maybe I should just cut the Rhodies back? Argh... The rhodies are likely not doing well because they are being deprived of moisture and nutrients by the more aggressive root system of the tree. It is only moist now because of the season - summer in the PNW is extremely dry and any situation within the dripline/root system of a large conifer is considered dry shade. Fertilize the rhodies and water them well frequently during the summer months. pam - gardengal |
#12
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
I haven't seen the photo, so I can't comment on the appropriateness of a
retaining wall around your tree, but *usually* it's not a good idea to drastically alter the depth of roots by piling more soil on. Dry laid retaining walls, if they are to hold any substantive amount of soil behind them, need foundations, which also means potential messing with roots of the tree. I'm emailing you a diagram of how to lay the stone properly. Good luck, Dave Lilly wrote in message ... (Yeesh, not sure I'm attaching this pic right... anyway...) This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#13
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
err.. no I'm not, there is no email address associated with your post...
Lilly wrote in message ... (Yeesh, not sure I'm attaching this pic right... anyway...) This is a pic of the tree in my new front yard. I'm not sure if they're visible, but there're some fairly good sized Rhodies on the other side of this tree, in all the whole thing is about 10 feet across or so. The front of the house has railroad tie retaining walls that are beginning to buckle outward, so an upgrade of those too, will need to be done at a later date. I've always fancied rock walls with things planted in the cervices, anyway, I was thinking of having some big rock delivered and building a circular retaining wall, and then a small one inside and above it, as well. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about that, or any other ideas for retaining walls they might like to share. My husband and I are DIY's, and this seems like the perfect small project for us, for a couple weekends or so... what do you think? As for plants, once the Rhodies are removed to better areas, I was thinking of Callas and Hellebores in the top ring closest to the trunk, and then St John's Wort and Vinca in the lower level. I live in Snohomish, zone 8. I appreciate any thoughts, tips, or wisdom! Thanks! ~Lilly Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. "Eleonora" |
#14
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Sat, 5 Apr 2003 16:30:06 -0500, "David J. Bockman"
wrote: I haven't seen the photo, so I can't comment on the appropriateness of a retaining wall around your tree, but *usually* it's not a good idea to drastically alter the depth of roots by piling more soil on. Dry laid retaining walls, if they are to hold any substantive amount of soil behind them, need foundations, which also means potential messing with roots of the tree. I'm emailing you a diagram of how to lay the stone properly. Good luck, I wasn't going to add much more dirt, but thanks for the email! Even though I might not do this one currently, I have several other projects that will involve retaining walls. Thanks again! ~Lilly The most beautiful women in the world have a cat-like quality. They slink, they purr; claws sheathed in silken fur. In the privacy of their summer gardens, in the green depths of forests, I believe they shed themselves of their attire, even to their human flesh, and stretch their bodies to the sun and their secret deity. Storm Constantine, 'My Lady of the Hearth' |
#15
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Retaining Wall Ideas - a006_6.jpg (0/1)
On Sat, 05 Apr 2003 03:10:37 GMT, Pam wrote:
The rhodies are likely not doing well because they are being deprived of moisture and nutrients by the more aggressive root system of the tree. It is only moist now because of the season - summer in the PNW is extremely dry and any situation within the dripline/root system of a large conifer is considered dry shade. Fertilize the rhodies and water them well frequently during the summer months. Ok, thanks Pam! ~Lilly The most beautiful women in the world have a cat-like quality. They slink, they purr; claws sheathed in silken fur. In the privacy of their summer gardens, in the green depths of forests, I believe they shed themselves of their attire, even to their human flesh, and stretch their bodies to the sun and their secret deity. Storm Constantine, 'My Lady of the Hearth' |
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