Right Location … Perfect Tree

L ake C ounty N ursery

PROBLEM: The majestic Norway maple (Acer PROBLEM: This American sweetgum tree SOLUTION: This Japaneze zelkova tree (Zelkova platanoides) is a marvelous tree, but it was a (Liquidambar styraciflua) has grown too tall and serrata), a member of the elm family, is a better poor choice for this hell strip, as evidenced by its is interfering with overhead power lines and a choice beneath power lines. crowded, crowning roots. streetlight. Portland General Portland General Portland & schmidt frank J. E lectric E lectric S on

Right location … perfect tree

Growers develop trees that form, with naturally compact, vase-like shapes for the strip between street and perform well in difficult sidewalk, where they are “unlikely to tangle” with overhead lines. JFS marketing director Nancy Buley locations and situations said it takes a long time and a lot of exposure for new introductions to By Elizabeth Petersen finally catch on, but as UtiliTrees have Since gardeners are limited in 2009 proven themselves worthy, those who by the confines of parking strips and employ trees – arborists, urban foresters nearby neighbors, plants for tight spots and landscape architects – are “finally are in high demand. As a result, the starting to specify them.” nursery industry is focused on easy-care Two that Buley recommends are: plants and trees that pack a big design Rugged Charm™ maple (Acer tataricum punch in small locations. ‘JFS-KW2’), a refined selection with a Growers that predicted the current shapely canopy, bright red seed wings need for smaller, easier trees are starting and bold fall color; and Wedding Bells to reap the rewards of their work, even Silverbell (Halesia tetraptera ‘UConn as newer options continue to arrive on Wedding Bells’), an “ideal silverbell” with the scene. large flowers borne prolifically along the branches. Both fit beneath lines, reach- UtiliTrees ing roughly 20 feet by 15 feet. Wholesale tree grower J. Frank For 2009, J. Frank Schmidt intro- Schmidt & Son started about 15 years duces City Sprite® zelkova (Zelkova ser- ago to compile a line of trees with rata ‘JFS-KWI’) for tight urban spaces. A “pedestrian-friendly branching.” So-called chance seedling found at the nursery, the SOLUTION: The Celebration® maple (Acer X UtiliTrees resist damage, tolerate a vari- upright vase-shaped cultivar is a “tough freemanii ‘Celzam’ ) is a good choice near ety of soils, climates and urban condi- workhorse,” Buley said. It’s “not sexy” sidewalks or in planters because its roots

won’t disrupt them. tions, and require minimal maintenance. ▲ All are upright branching to columnar in 30

MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER 29 Picks ▲ PERFECT TREE It isn’t hard to get growers to talk about plants. The from the tough part is getting them to narrow down their list of favorites to just a handful. Here are some of the PProsros varieties our sources recommended:

John Lewis Tiger Eyes® Sumac – It is shockingly JLPN, Inc gorgeous, and like pizza, Salem, Ore. I never get tired of it. The bright colors are great as an accent in big shrub Acer griseum – I love it. It’s a tri-foliate maple borders or containers. More that isn’t the easiest to transplant, but the designers are using it to leaf color during the growing season and the complement annuals and fall is exceptional, and out as an elegant addition to of all shade trees by far Japanese gardens. and away, it has the best dark-cinnamon, peeling bark. Growing these in Maria Zampini container and/or B&B is the Lake County Nursery industry norm. Paperbark Perry, Ohio maple is, without a doubt, a spectacle in any landscape year round. Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae - Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobazam’ – The perfect no-maintenance plant for the consumer. Never Acer freemonii ‘Autumn Blaze’ – It is such needs trimming, naturally forms a perfect PROBLEM: Buckled sidewalks are expensive in the a durable tree, a cross ball. In addition (and even better), it is a long run and can be prevented by choosing the between silver and red moneymaking plant for the maple that takes extremes grower, as it is practically right species for the right location. of cold and hot and labor free. We only trim produces fire-red fall color. it once, when we put the It performs very well in a liner into a 3-gallon. We like some of the flowering trees, but it wide range of soil types and lightly trim with the power will have many uses for courtyards and the branch structure is very trimmers across the top of solid when exposed to ice the crop to even it up and small gardens as well as beneath wires. and snow. that is it – no side trimming Smaller than other zelkovas, City Sprite necessary. adapts to a variety of soils and tolerates Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ – Red Sunset has drought when established. It is available been a mainstay in the nursery industry for Corinthian® Littleleaf Linden - Tilia cordata as bare root liners in sizes up to 1-inch years, and there’s no doubt as to why. It has ‘Corzam’ – No trimming is necessary for caliper this year. one of the very best fall this Linden to maintain a pyramidal shape. It colors for red maple with a has evenly spaced mélange of yellow, peach, branches all around Meeting the market orange and red, and the the trunk, and John Lewis, owner of JLPN, Inc., leaves are glossy dark green the branches are a propagation nursery that brings new in the summer, which is festooned with very deciduous trees to the trade, agrees rare. It’s a strong grower thick leaves. This and has stood the test of cultivar is resistant to that people need compact solutions. time in the industry. the Japanese beetle “But they still want as many plants,” aerophyte mite. he said. Peggy Anne Montgomery JLPN offers about 185 varieties Bailey Nurseries Ultra™ Common Hackberry - Celtis of one-year, cutting-grown product to St. Paul, Minn. occidentalis ‘Ulzam’ – This wholesale growers across the country. hackberry is disease-free, Lewis seeks trees with “strong market- and stronger growing able qualities” that he defines as a com- Twist-n-Shout Hydrangea (Hydrangea than the species and other macrophylla) – This selections. Also significant bination of geographic or environmental reblooming lacecap is a higher percentage bud need, a specific use in the landscape, is tough, hot and take compared to other and the “Wow! factor.” blooms on every cultivars. terminal, with upright, It is important to adjust to market red stems, a lighter demands, Lewis said, but “chasing the bloom and great fall trends” carries a high risk, and growers color. with diverse product lines will fare better in hard economic times and when the market is glutted.

30 MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER ®

O re g on RootMaker

D e p artment of artment F orestry

Lewis said that overproduction of certain shade trees has “wiped out the market for some of the ‘meat and pota- toes’ trees, so we are left with the ‘con- diments,’ and there is always demand for the out of the ordinary.” One such “condiment” tree, the deciduous tree American Hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) adapts to many conditions, including part shade, develops spectacular fall color, and provides food for wildlife and shaggy, reddish-brown bark in winter.

The hunt for winners ® Some introductions grown by JLPN come from the work of Jim Zampini, founder of Lake County Nursery in Make it happen. Ohio. Daughter Maria Zampini, now president of the 60-year-old business, From Start to Finish ® credits the New Introductions program RootMaker this 4-inch diameter willow oak with bringing 125 trees and shrubs to was grown in the RootMaker® system. the green industry. Jim’s work is well known to growers worldwide, and many in Oregon count themselves among the .® licensed growers that trial and evalu- The Original Root-Pruning Container System ate Lake County’s new selections. Using RootMaker® Products Co., LLC the name “ZAM,” such trees offer four 1-800-824-3941 www.rootmaker.com

32 ▲

MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER 31 Pieris #1 / #3

1-888-373-0318 www.pleasanthillnursery.com 35271 Brabham Road Well branched Pleasant Hill, Oregon 97455 Heavily budded

PHN AD: Oan Digger - March 2009

32 MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER J. frank schmidt & son & schmidt frank J. ▲ PERFECT TREE

seasons of beauty with little or no maintenance, improved disease and insect resistance and reliable performance.

Crabapples make the grade This year, as earlier introductions wind their way from grower to retail, a new ZAM crabapple debuts. Show Time™ (Malus ‘Shotizam’) is quickly earning a reputation among growers for the “phenomenal color” of its blooms. Zampini said they are “florescent fuch- sia red,” but “seeing is believing.” “Oregon growers are great at shar- ing with their colleagues,” and when Show Time™ was in bloom at Hans Nelson & Sons Nursery, Dan Nelson contacted other growers who saw for themselves what makes this crabapple unique. The disease-free street tree “cal- ipers up really good. A new crabapple has to be special, since the market is soft,” said Zampini. Recent introduction Malus Royal Raindrops® from J. Frank Schmidt also meets the need for a small-scale, vigor- Narrow TracTors. ous, disease-resistant tree. “(It’s) the Broad service. nicest crabapple in a long time,” said Nancy Buley. The handsome, purple, We have cut-leaf tree features dramatic magenta specialty blooms, brilliant fall color and a long- narrow lasting display of red fruits. “It provides tractors the look of a purple-leaf plum, but per- perfect for forms better,” said Buley, who told of your needs. a state forester in Olympia, Wash., who replaced her own Thundercloud Plum with Royal Raindrops®. “Now, all the neighbors want it.”

Resisting heavy loads www.FisherFarmandLawn.com Tangent, OR Harrisburg, OR Salem, OR Hillsboro, OR Jack and Jill, a recently introduced 31970 Old Highway 34 23838 Hwy 99E 5101 Lardon Rd NE 33830 SW TV Highway 541-926-1534 541-995-8400 503-581-5033 503-648-1171 pair of dwarf pears from Lake County (800) 671-1534 (800) 416-8354 (800) 394-5033 (800) 270-7507 McMinnville, OR Gresham, OR Ernst Hardware Lenon Implement New Plants, are the only pears that 9889 S Hwy 99W 6928 SE 282nd Ave. St. Paul, OR Woodburn, OR 503-472-5184 503-663-4353 20179 Main NE 2175 N Pacific Hwy (877) 472-5184 (888) 867-5705 503-633-4111 503-981-1052 fit beneath power lines, said Maria (877) 249-4111 (800) 894-8658 ® Zampini. Jack (Pyrus calleryana Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm, Closed Sundays

‘Jackzam’) requires an extra year to Prices and products may vary by dealer. Not all Monday - Saturday, 8am - 5pmproducts available at all dealerships. John Deere’s Thegrow, Fisher-Ernst but the increased Group cost for a lon- green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer Fisher Implement Co.Ernst Hardware Co.Ernst Irrigation Cosymbol. andLe JOHNnon DEERE Implement are trademarks Coof . ger production schedule is balanced Deere & Company. Fisher Implement Co. Fisher Implement Co. Fisher Implement Co. Fisher Implement Co. Fisher Implement Co. Fisher Implement Co. Ernst Hardware Co. Lenon Implement Co. 31970 Old Highway 34 23838 Hwy 99E 5101 Lardon Rd NE 33830 SW TV Highway 9889 S Hwy 99W 6928 SE 282nd Ave. 20179 Main NE 2175 N Pacific Hwy Tangent,by OR 97389fewerHarrisburg, labor OR 97446 costs,Salem, OR since 97305 theHillsboro, comOR 97123- McMinnville, OR 97128 Gresham, OR 97080 St. Paul, OR 97137 Woodburn, OR 97071 SOLUTION: The American hophornbeam tree 541-926-1534 541-995-8400 503-581-5033 503-648-1171 503-472-5184 503-663-4353 503-633-4111 503-981-1052 (Ostrya virginiana) is a versatile choice that (800)pact 671-1534 cultivar(800) 416-8354 does (800)not 394-5033 require(800) 270-750head (877) 472-51844 (888) 867-5705 (877) 249-4111 (800) 894-8658 www.fisherimplement.com adapts to many types of conditions and has work as others do. Tested by an early, spectacular fall color. 34 ▲

MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER 33 ▲ PERFECT TREE lake county nursery county lake

Bailey’s “Trees Are Cool” campaign helps promote the understanding that planting just one tree can make a dif- ference in both global and backyard environments. It says that people can keep cool while reducing utility costs, breathe cleaner air and control runoff, with little cost or work, all by planting trees. After an “excruciatingly slow” pro- cess, about 20 years, Bailey added a small, reliable Japanese Tree Lilac, First Editions® Snowdance™ (Syringa retic- ula ‘Bailnce’) to its lineup for 2009. Discovered by Rod Bailey, the preco- cious beauty blooms heavily “way younger than others, at one-, two- and three-year stages,” according to Bailey horticulturist Peggy Anne Montgomery. The “great small shade tree for urban yards” is a good choice for bloom SOLUTION: The Golden Candle™ rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata ‘Gocazam’) is a great choice for urban environments, because it is able to withstand harsh heat and a variety of soil conditions. midway between spring and summer. It boasts beautiful shelved, spreading branching, and it is “virtually sterile,” heavy snowstorm in Buffalo, Jack came back more excellent cultivars, and to so owners don’t get messy seedpods through unscathed, while other trees help fund additional research, Monrovia or unwanted seedlings. Available at caved in under the weight. donates the royalties from sales back to retail in 2009, it makes a good screen Monrovia is enthusiastic about Jack the university. between neighbors or featured in a full too, and praises the tree’s growth habit, For very small spaces, ‘Blue Surprise’ sun border, where it will create dap- pure white flowers, glossy, dark green makes a great accent or container speci- pled shade for understory plants. leaves and brilliant, crimson-red fall foli- men, and the dense, compact, steel blue The “most exciting” introduc- age. A low maintenance, fireblight-resis- spire (6 feet by 2 feet) puts on a purple tion for Montgomery is the “stunning” tant, full sun option, it stays healthy in cast in winter. A little larger, ‘Yvonne’ new bittersweet, which will cover a urban settings, stays small and makes an (8-10 feet) sports golden-tipped, blue- big rock pile, shed or other large, ugly attractive street tree or small specimen. green foliage that makes a bright, mod- feature with flowers, foliage and fruit.

Monrovia introduces another flow- est hedge or small space specimen. For ▲ 36 ering “fruit” exclusive for 2009, a mod- a bigger job, to block wind or screen a J.

erate size (18-20 feet by 10-12 feet) view, robust ‘Golden King’ (30-40 feet F rank cherry dubbed Angel’s Blush® (Prunus by 15-18 feet) produces golden fans of cmidt & S cmidt serrulata ‘Taizo’). It produces loads foliage, and the similarly sized ‘Silberstar’ of pink buds that open to distinctive, lends a silvery-blue look. blushed white flowers with up to 30 S on petals per bloom. Finding beauty and fragrance for small sites Rooting for roots Each year, at facilities in five Thanks to disease-resistant root- states, wholesale tree and shrub grow- stock developed at Oregon State er Bailey Nurseries produces millions University, Monrovia has started a line of seedlings, millions of cuttings, and of healthy Chamaecyparis lawsoniana millions of bareroot trees and shrubs. cultivars that resist the fungal root dis- While the nursery continues to bring SOLUTION: The Landscape Plant Development Center in Donald, Ore. developed the Silver ease, Phytophthora lateralis. The four useful landscape material to the mar- Ball™ Pear (Pyrus ‘Silver Ball’), which is known ™ Port Orford cedars in the Guardian ket, it also sponsors a national program for being hardy, durable and compact. Series prove the potential for bringing to encourage the planting of trees.

34 MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER Will you be ready...

In every economic downturn, the light at the end of the tunnel is a strong demand for trees. Invest in the future and keep planting. When the economy rebounds, will you have the new and uncommon trees that command premium price? ...to step into the light?

We can help you plan and P O Box 189 • Boring, OR 97009 503-663-4128 • Fax 503-663-2121 plant a successful future. Toll-Free 1-800-825-8202 Call today. www.jfschmidt.com ▲ PERFECT TREE

First Editions® Autumn Revolution™ fences, where the it holds up to “trim- ing plum Crimson Pointe™. “It’s a great (Celastrus scandens ‘Bailumn’) said the ming” by local wildlife. product” with purple foliage that toler- self-fertile selection “grows like mad” ates heat and cold, making it desirable and produces “perfect flowers” followed Hot at retail for areas with extreme climates, and it by “huge, dark-orange berries that pop Trees have to be flexible to flour- stays a manageable size. open to reveal dark red-orange.” She ish, said John Lewis, who likes the Crimson Pointe, a Lake County has seen it used effectively on tall deer landscape flexibility of columnar flower- introduction, is “hot at retail right now,” Zampini said. The versatile tree’s branches nearly parallel the trunk and ® produce a strong columnar form. It Finally a Tapetool that really works... works well with its branches trimmed higher, left lower or treated as a shrub. WE GUARANTEE IT* Glossy bronze foliage takes on maroon tones as they age, and showy white flowers decorate the tree in spring. Model 145 & 145XL Monrovia, which has trialed and pro- moted new plants for over eighty years, Fully Adjustable Opening ● Largest Staple confirms the value of Crimson Pointe Capacity • Fixed Staple Pusher ● Separate for small spots. Trees mature at 25- 30 Tape Channel ● Heavy-Duty Tool feet tall by 10 feet wide. ● Ergonomic Design Other “really cool” new narrow ● Easy Load introductions coming from Lake County ™ Staples & Tape include Emerald Pointe , a hardy rubber tree that is “perfect for tight spaces,” only 5-6 feet wide with serrated, thick, wavy leaves and a narrow columnar habit. Golden Candle™, a columnar golden rain tree, also makes a great choice for the urban landscape, where trees are exposed to drought, heat and even wet soil. A larger, unique tree, the Celebration maple boasts branches * 100% performance satisfaction – that grow at a tight angle, so it or we replace it for FREE. doesn’t give in to heavy loads. It See your sales representative for further details. has developed a good reputation in recent years, Zampini said, for a unique root habit that doesn’t heave sidewalks. Celebration is also virtually seedless, and its color is spectacular. Highland Park maple, now grown by six Oregon growers, has very thick, tatterproof foliage that contributes to its superior drought tolerance. It is disease resistant and has a high sugar count, Fastening Solutions for Your Growing Business so testing is underway for use in sugar production, too. Tie Tape, Tapetools®,Bamboo, Metal & Fiberglass Stakes T-Band Ties • Pruning Shears, Loppers, Hand Pruners • Hog Elizabeth Petersen writes for Ring Tools • Pneumatic Staplers & Nailers • Wire • Stretch-Tie gardeners and garden businesses, coaches students and writers, and LOCAL DISTRIBUTION FROM TIGARD, OREGON tends a one-acre garden in To learn more, call us at 360-450-9453 or visit www.agrifast.com West Linn, Ore. She can be reached at [email protected].

36 MARCH 2009 ▲ DIGGER