Backyard landscape makeover

[mdvaden]

Just finished most of our back yard last week. The front yard done a year and a half ago, is mostly mulch, trees and shrubs. We opted for no lawn mowing and some rock in the back yard for low maintenance and to hold up to the 3 dogs. We've wanted a circular paver patio for quite some time too.

There are 3 apple trees out of sight, a fig. 2 Hinoki cypress are to come, and several big Miscanthus ornamental grasses. So this is about 80% to completion. The last phase in a few weeks after a short rest. The before and after below spanned a week. The building is a detatched guest room we added last autumn. On blocks to ease the roots of the Douglas fir behind it.

 

[mdvaden]

After.

 

[mdvaden]

Another view

 

[mdvaden]

Another

 

[easyphloem]

Very cool hardscape, Mario!



SZ

 

[Rookieclimber]

Rocks at base of trees will not affect the growth, girth wise? I can see a boulder affecting it, but I have not seen enough hardscapes like this to know the affects of rocks at base, besides being a pain in the a$$ on flushcutting the stump after removal.

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
Rocks at base of trees will not affect the growth, girth wise?

[/ QUOTE ]

How would it affect the girth if they are moved outward each year? Maybe you are used to seeing folks who don't maintain and adjust their landscaping on a yearly basis? Because sometimes I see yards where folks leave rocks against trunks.

This rock also has a lot of air space between which is handy for exchange of gases.

Its not even in the same league as the trees on Beacon Rock in Washington. But check out this monolith, the core of an ancient volcano. See all the evergreens like Douglas fir growing on it? A lot of those are rooted in solid rock cracks and crags. Amazing what trees can deal with in a high wind extreme situation. And our tree isn't even in 2% that severity.

This shot was taken from the Oregon side. Cool short hike for anyone out this way.

 

[jim454]

I like the guest house.

 

[southsoundtree]

The Wall to Stairs section if very cool.

Will the rocks around that hinoki concentrate the heat from the sun, unlike organic mulch, and lead to more moisture loss?

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
The Wall to Stairs section if very cool.

Will the rocks around that hinoki concentrate the heat from the sun, unlike organic mulch, and lead to more moisture loss?

[/ QUOTE ]

Probably something to pay close attention too.

We might lightly irrigate over the rocks on hot days, so extra water vapor comes up from beneath the stone too.

Last Monday, turned stormy, so my arborist friend, a climber, needed to pause around noon.

But we began in the other corner removing a grand fir and a deodar cedar planted in a bad spot.

 

[mdvaden]

The weather was better today.

The 12 foot trunks are left on purpose. I already moved my seedless grape vine between them about 2 hours ago. That's going to be my giant size grape trellis.

 

[tomthetreeman]

Why did you remove those trees? Looks like you had a nice shademaker/wind/noisebreak. Were they compromised or just not in your plan?

-Tom

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
Why did you remove those trees? Looks like you had a nice shademaker/wind/noisebreak. Were they compromised or just not in your plan?

-Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

See the power lines?

Also, the grand fir was in decline. I may take a pic tomorrow showing how small the growth rings were getting the past 7 years.

Would have kept the deodar, but once the grand fir was to be removed, the flat sided cedar would have been quite ugly. Plus being right next to the power lines.

In the dark picture from the first day, you can see how bare the deodar cedar was on that side. Those limbs were not pruned off that side in that photo. That's just after the grand fir limbs were cleared.

Two more Hinoki cypress will make nice replacements. Much slower growing, and planted farther from the fenceline and power lines.

It was interesting to hear Dr. Robert Van Pelt mention that grand fir of 300 years old in the forest are virtually non-existent.

In our neighborhood, 1960s, there isn't one grand fir in good condition. They sure are fast growing though.

 

[mdvaden]

[ QUOTE ]
Another

[/ QUOTE ]

Just finished one more phase to the back yard.

We decided that we did want to install lawn. But its good that we waited, because the extensive rain that fell last spring settled the backfill behind the retaining wall as much as 4 inches.

Anyhow, I think this will be the final version.

Except maybe one Italian plum to be added inside the garden area.

 

[Toparboring]

Looks good nice work.