How to determine tree placement on bench

[chicago1980]

What should I take in consideration?

I am always concerned about placement in my yard.

Junipers receive roughly 10 hrs direct sun.

I am wanting to understand placement and a better strategy.

Long term I would like a more pleasant garden set up.

Thank you

 

[Dav4]

Health always comes first and it looks and sounds like you've got that covered with the trees you have. The most important things with junipers, other then minimum sun requirements, is spacing to provide adequate ventilation. From an aesthetic point of view, I prefer to keep similar sized trees together as well as similar species. It looks like you've got a nice yard to work with and, with some thought and relatively little money, you could design a more permanent display area mixed with individual pole displays and more refined wooden benches that meets all your horticultural needs and looks great.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I have trouble with my benches being too crowded, so I am always critically analyzing tree placement. You want to ensure proper:

(1) Lighting
(2) Watering
(3) Air flow

Lighting is first for me because I live in a warm dry area where I have to protect many deciduous species or they will dry up in the summer. So I start with making sure my deciduous are protected. Many of my pines and tropicals get the brightest light, though some get partial protection, depending on species.

Then I keep my larger trees separate from my medium and small trees. For my trees that are in early development, I try to keep similar species grouped, since it simplifies seasonal care.

In my case, I use an automatic sprinkler supplemented by manual watering, so I need to make sure all trees are receiving water and are not blocking each other from the watering source.

Finally, you have to ensure air flow all around every tree. If you start the spring with your trees packed too closely (I am guilty of this) once they start to grow and branches elongate, you will both run out of space and find that you are getting a higher incidence of pests and disease (fungus, etc).

 

[chicago1980]

All great information. Thank you.

 

[SantaFeBonsai]

Is that purple passion vine under the saw horses? Great ground cover for your benches

 

[chicago1980]

Is that purple passion vine under the saw horses? Great ground cover for your benches

I don't believe so, I think it is a clematis

 

[sorce]

I would try to make a path with em turned like this..

This way you can have easier all around views.
Maybe make the path lead to a sitting\working area.

Don't underestimate the power of a path.
It makes you want to walk it!

Sorce

 

[chicago1980]

I would try to make a path with em turned like this..View attachment 152076

This way you can have easier all around views.
Maybe make the path lead to a sitting\working area.

Don't underestimate the power of a path.
It makes you want to walk it!

Sorce

Definitely will have a path. I see you like long benches for display. Would you add an pole stands?

 

[sorce]

I love my pole stands better!

Something about the Majesty of gives them...
Besides being separate, and more safe.

Majesty...even in nursery pots!

Sorce

 

[zelk]

Lengthwise from north to south is a good orientation for the bench if you don't want trees casting shadows on each other

 

[chicago1980]

Lengthwise from north to south is a good orientation for the bench if you don't want trees casting shadows on each other

This makes a lot of sense.

 

[twisted trees]

I think it is a matter of time. As you eye becomes more trained and your understanding of the intrinsic beauty of the art, you will begin to move a tree here and shift one there until it makes more sense to you. Always study, look at other gardens on the internet, visit one, preferably a well known and established artist. All these thing will add to your knowlede base. Your sense of design will grow with that knowledge.

 

[zelk]

I would try to make a path with em turned like this..View attachment 152076

This way you can have easier all around views.
Maybe make the path lead to a sitting\working area.

Don't underestimate the power of a path.
It makes you want to walk it!

Sorce

Does this make watering with a garden hose more complicated?

 

[zelk]

Does this make watering with a garden hose more complicated?

I've had garden hoses snag on cinder locks when watering around a corner. I know I'm not the only person who has had this issue, I just wonder if this would make that one aspect worse. I do like mazes of benches, they are more entertaining

 

[sorce]

Does this make watering with a garden hose more complicated?

I water with V8 juice bottles.

A water basin to dip a copper can in at the end of a bench would be nice.

I feel you though....

Maybe hook up an overhead joint like they use to wash dishes in the good restaurants.

Sorce

 

[StoneCloud]

I've had garden hoses snag on cinder locks when watering around a corner. I know I'm not the only person who has had this issue, I just wonder if this would make that one aspect worse. I do like mazes of benches, they are more entertaining

I water with V8 juice bottles.

A water basin to dip a copper can in at the end of a bench would be nice.

I feel you though....

Maybe hook up an overhead joint like they use to wash dishes in the good restaurants.

Sorce

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suncast-...ztWIthldnuHCdkiVG37aEaAo0s8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Paradox]

Lengthwise from north to south is a good orientation for the bench if you don't want trees casting shadows on each other

Except that the sun spends most of its time in the southern hemisphere. I find that having my benches facing east-west length wise, the trees get the most sun from southern exposure.

I have one bench that is north-south because it is on my deck and thats how my deck is oriented. I have to be careful about how I arrange the trees so they dont shade each other. Big ones on the north end, short ones on the south end. I actually use it to my advantage if I repot a tree and it needs shade for a few days. I tuck it behind a tall one and it gets mostly shade.

To the OP, I also determine placement by the species in question and what they like. Pines and Junipers get the most sun. Azalea and Maples get morning sun and afternoon shade.

 

[zelk]

Except that the sun spends most of its time in the southern hemisphere. I find that having my benches facing east-west length wise, the trees get the most sun from southern exposure.

Good point! In the winter I end up moving lots of my trees because of this. I haven't found the perfect way yet for my situation, being near a large slope on my property that faces west I'm somewhat limited if I have to get to a tree very frequently. If you're in higher latitudes I suppose you need more space between trees under the same bench orientation.

 

[Johnathan]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suncast-Resin-Hose-Guide-HS10225D/203682036?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|G|0|G-BASE-PLA-D28I-InsideGardenOther|&gclid=Cj0KEQjwnPLKBRC-j7nt1b7OlZwBEiQAv8lMLLjHSwuR5sB2fwbIUOBfpMztWIthldnuHCdkiVG37aEaAo0s8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Well isn't that nifty!

I vote for mazes. Be surrounded in your own little bonsai forest!

 

[Paradox]

Good point! In the winter I end up moving lots of my trees because of this. I haven't found the perfect way yet for my situation, being near a large slope on my property that faces west I'm somewhat limited if I have to get to a tree very frequently. If you're in higher latitudes I suppose you need more space between trees under the same bench orientation.

It took me a couple of years to figure out that one corner of my yard gets the longest hours of sun per day. I put a bench there and put my pines there. Study your yard and figure out where gets the most sun. You're also in San Diego so you also have to take your higher summer temperatures into account as well. I dont have that problem here.