Large Scale Central

Bushes or Trees?

Gardening
#1

It’s the time of year when Home Depot and Lowes are selling decorative shrubbery in small 1 gallon pots for a reasonable price. This year they’re about $7 - last year on sale for $4 regularly $6. I’ve found that three of the varieties they sell can be used as a reasonable representation of a scale tree. [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Trees-1-1024.JPG]

[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] Dwarf Albert Spruce, (the three on the right in the photo above) can be trimmed up to look (from a distance) like a scale pine tree. Of course the needles, even on the dwarf variety, are too big for scale, but they look good in the garden with the trains. In the photo, the one in the center is how it came from Home Depot, the other two have been heavily pruned to look more tree like. Pruning technique is is something that’s hard to describe. I start at the bottom removing all the branches for the first several inches. This, to me, suggests a tree because of the trunk. Then I thin the branches above continuing to reveal the trunk and the branch structure. On the Spruces I pull as many of the needles from the trunk as I can. The photo below is a good close-up comparison of the trimmed trees on the outside and a “as bought” in the middle. I’m always afraid while trimming that I’m taking away too much, but I’ve always been happy with the end result. [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Trees-3-1024.JPG]

[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] Another variety that I like for trees is the Arborvitae. They come in several varieties and colors. The Emerald Green on the left in the photo below has been heavily pruned. I like the branch structure, and from a distance this bush can represent a small deciduous tree. [url=lsc.cvsry.com/Trees-2-1024.JPG]

[/url][color=blue]FF: Click to Enlarge - IE: Right Click Photo and select Open Link in New Window to Enlarge[/color] Also available in small 1 gallon pots, although I but haven’t found any yet this year, are Boxwoods. There is a dwarf variety, but the full size ones can be kept in check with regular pruning. One nice thing about the boxwoods is that one pot can be easily be split in 3 or 4 pieces. Last year on sale that was only $1 a tree.

#2

The dwarf variegated variety of boxwood makes an interesting specimen …

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Plants%20on%20the%20RGS/plants003.jpg)

There are also miniature junipers that have more to scale needles…

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Plants%20on%20the%20RGS/plants0011.jpg)

The “Jean Dilly” variety of Alberta Spruce is a true miniature. Grows slow and has smaller needles…though I doubt you’ll find them in Lowe’s or Home Depot. Garden centers may carry them or specialty garden centers that cater to Rock garden varieties.

#3

If I had a son who could ‘get it for me wholesale’ then I’d be buying some of the specialized miniatures too :smiley:

Last year at ECLSTS we bought about $75 worth of small plants. Only one survived until planting season, and thankfully it made it through the winter. I kill nearly everything I plant, but I’ve had good luck with these cheap shrubs. I’ve only lost one Spruce after two winters. Three of the Spruces I planted last year got very bad winter burn, but they are still alive. Next fall I’ll wrap them in burlap to try and prevent that.

What is the one on the left of the bottom photo?

#4

That one is a Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana’ (true Dwarf Hinoki Cypress).

#5

Hello All;

                Remember to apply wound sealant when you are prunning your trees.  It seals the spot where you cut and reduces the shock the tree goes through.
        I also mess with Bonsai trees, the thought of doing an entrire railroad is something I would not want to do, but for that special spot it would be ok.
    

                                                                            Smokebox
#6

Hi Rob,

I used to do this religiously when pruning full size trees and then was told by an arborist that it was actually harmful. I don’t know if he was correct or not, but the number of branches I prune from the dwarf trees makes it almost impossible even if I wanted to.

#7

Hello Again;

               I think that a full size tree would be able to take that sort of stress with out a problem however, when working with smaller trees and shrubs I do not think that there is enough mass in the trunk to supply water to the upper portions of the tree( it weeps out the wound ) and sets the tree/shrub up for infection and parasites.
 But the bottom line is, if it works for you the keep doing it. If the trees die after a year or so then your doing something wrong, like not putting on sealant. Just an opinion though.
 Also with the smaller tree/shrubs the fertalizer needs to be cut in half bare min.  That also may be a reason for the demise of the tree/shrub. Again, just my opinion next time your at the library  check into the Bonsiai section the little trees need special care that a full sized one would not notice.
       Actually it has been reported that modeling clay works better and does not have to be reapplied every other year.


                                                                                                                                                               Smokebox
#8

Jon,

I was delivering nursery stock up in your neck of the woods on Wed and ran across a garden center just north of Shelton off of RT 110 on Barn hill RD. I don’t know if your familiar with that area, but Shelton is just north of Bridgeport. They had an amazing assortment of ground covers and small varieties of pereniels at very reasonable prices. The place was called Twombly’s Nursery on BarnHill Rd. I could have loaded up my truck with stuff, but I had a couple more places to deliver too…:wink:

#9

Thanks Ken,

Twomblys’ is about a half-hour from where I work, 45 minutes or so from home. I don’t think I’ll have any trouble convincing Marilyn to take a short road trip to a nursery :smiley: Might be a good mother’s day outing.

Next time your going to be up this way, let me know. I might be able to drive down and meet you for lunch. And if you ever get an overnight turn I’d love to show you the RR.

#10

I was up there last week doing deliveries in MA. Thought about ya on my way home as I was driving down 84. Went right through Danbury about lunch time. I didn’t know your phone # or I would have called as I had plenty of time. Problem is most of the time I have no idea where or when I’ll be anyplace so it’s tough to plan stuff like that. I wasn’t too far from Bob’s last week, but it was the same thing. I spent the night in Wayland at a garden center, but didn’t have Bob’s #. I guess I oughta keep a little black book of all you guys ph #'s …:wink:

#11

Well, YES !!

I’ll email ya my numbers. No pre-planning needed, just call. If route and timing works we’ll connect.