HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

WISHING ALL THE VIEWERS MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COMING YEAR. LET US PLANT MORE TREES AND SAVE OUR LOVELY PLANET FROM GLOBAL WARMING CRISIS.

TREE SELECTION

Tree provide an axis view.
( Putrajaya - Administration city Of Malaysia )

Tree enhance the architectural value.

Tree selection is one of the most important investment decisions a home owner makes when landscaping a new home or replacing a tree lost to damage or disease. Considering that most trees have the potential to outlive the people who plant them, the impact of this decision is one that can influence a lifetime. Match the tree to the site, and both lives will benefit.

The question most frequently asked of tree care professionals is “Which kind of tree do you think I should plant?” Before this question can be answered, a number of factors need to be considered. Think about the following questions:

• Why is the tree being planted? Do you want the tree to provide shade, fruit, or seasonal color, or act as a windbreak or screen? Maybe more than one reason?
• What is the size and location of the planting site? Does the space lend itself to a large, medium, or small tree? Are there overhead or belowground wires or utilities in the vicinity? Do you need to consider clearance for sidewalks, patios, or driveways? Are there other trees in the area? Are there barriers to future root growth, such as building foundations?
• Which type of soil conditions exist? Is the soil deep, fertile, and well drained, or is it shallow, compacted, and infertile?
• Which type of maintenance are you willing to provide? Do you have time to water, fertilize, and prune the newly planted tree until it is established, or will you be relying on your garden or tree service for assistance?

Asking and answering these and other questions before selecting a tree will help you choose the “right tree for the right place.”

Tree Function

Trees make our surroundings more pleasant. Properly placed and cared for, trees increase the value of our real estate. A large shade tree provides relief from summer’s heat and, when properly placed, can reduce summer cooling costs. An ornamental tree provides beautiful flowers, leaves, bark, or fruit. Evergreens with dense, persistent leaves can be used to provide a windbreak or a screen for privacy. A tree that drops its leaves in the fall allows the sun to warm a house in the winter. A tree or shrub that produces fruit can provide food for the owner and/or attract birds and wildlife into your home landscape. Street trees decrease the glare from pavement, reduce runoff, filter out pollutants, and add oxygen to the air we breath. Street trees also improve the overall appearance and quality of life in a city or neighborhood.

Form and Size

A basic principle of modern architecture is “form follows function.” This is a good rule to remember when selecting a tree. Selecting the right form (shape) to complement the desired function (what you want the tree to do) can significantly reduce maintenance costs and increase the tree’s value in the landscape. When making a selection about form, also consider mature tree size. Trees grow in a variety of sizes and shapes, as shown below. They can vary in height from several inches to several hundred feet. Select a form and size that will fit the planting space provided.

Depending on your site restrictions, you can choose from among hundreds of combinations of form and size. You may choose a small-spreading tree in a location with overhead utility lines. You may select a narrow, columnar form to provide a screen between two buildings. You may choose large, vase-shaped trees to create an arbor over a driveway or city street. You may even determine that the site just does not have enough space for a tree of any kind.

Site Conditions

Selecting a tree that will thrive in a given set of site conditions is the key to long-term tree survival. The following is a list of the major site conditions to consider before selecting a tree for planting:

• soil conditions
• exposure (sun and wind)
• human activity
• drainage
• space constraints
• hardiness zone

Soil Conditions

The amount and quality of soil present in your yard can limit planting success. In urban sites, the topsoil often has been disturbed and frequently is shallow, compacted, and subject to drought. Under these conditions, trees are continuously under stress. For species that are not able to handle these types of conditions, proper maintenance designed to reduce stress is necessary to ensure adequate growth and survival. Many arborists will, for a minor charge, take soil samples from your yard to test for fertility, salinity, and pH (alkalinity or acidity). The tests will be returned with recommendations on ways to improve poor soil conditions with fertilizers or soil amendments (sand, compost, or manure) and will also help your local nursery or garden center recommend tree species that will do well in the soils found on your site.

Exposure

The amount of sunlight available will affect tree and shrub species selection for a particular location. Most woody plants require full sunlight for proper growth and flower bloom. Some do well in light shade, but few tree species perform well in dense shade. Exposure to wind is also a consideration. Wind can dry out soils, causing drought conditions and damage to branches and leaves during storms, and can actually uproot newly planted trees that have not had an opportunity to establish root systems. Special maintenance, such as staking or more frequent watering, may be needed to establish young trees on windy sites.

Human Activity

This aspect of tree selection is often overlooked. The reality of the situation is that the top five causes of tree death are the result of things people do: soil compaction, underwatering, overwatering, vandalism, and the number one cause—planting the wrong tree—account for more tree deaths than all insect and disease-related tree deaths combined.

Drainage

Tree roots require oxygen to develop and thrive. Poor drainage can remove the oxygen available to the roots from the soil and kill the tree. Before planting, dig some test holes 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep in the areas you are considering planting trees. Fill the holes with water and time how long it takes for the water to drain away. If it takes more than 6 hours, you may have a drainage problem. If so, ask your local garden center for recommendations on how to correct the problem, or choose a different site.

Space Constraints

Many different factors can limit the planting space available to the tree: overhead or underground utilities, pavement, buildings, other trees, visibility. The list goes on and on. Make sure there is adequate room for the tree you select to grow to maturity, both above and below ground.

Hardiness

Hardiness is the plant’s ability to survive in the extreme temperatures of the particular geographic region in which you are planting the tree. Plants can be cold hardy, heat tolerant, or both. Most plant reference books provide a map of hardiness zone ranges. Although tropical areas are generally Zone 11, higher elevations have cooler temperatures that may warrant adjustment to the hardiness zone classification. Check with your local garden center for the hardiness information for your region. Before you make your final decision, make sure the plant you have selected is “hardy” in your area.

Pest Problems

Insect and disease organisms affect almost every tree and shrub species. Every plant has its particular pest problems, and the severity varies geographically. These pests may or may not be life threatening to the plant. You should select plants resistant to pest problems for your area. Your local ISA Certified Arborist, tree consultant, or extension agent can direct you to information relevant to problem species for your location.

Species Selection

Personal preferences play a major role in the selection process. Now that your homework is done, you are ready to select a species for the planting site you have chosen. Make sure you use the information you have gathered about your site conditions, and balance it with the aesthetic decisions you make related to your personal preferences.

The species must be suitable for the geographic region (hardy), tolerant to the moisture and drainage conditions of your soil, be resistant to pests in your area, and have the right form and size for the site and function you have envisioned.

Remember, the beautiful picture of a tree you looked at in a magazine or book was taken of a specimen that is growing vigorously because it was planted in the right place. If your site conditions tell you the species you selected will not do well under those conditions, do not be disappointed when the tree does not perform in the same way.

If you are having difficulty answering any of these questions on your own, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist, tree care professional, garden center, or extension agent for assistance. Their assistance will help you to plant the “right tree in the right place.” It is better to get a professional involved early and help you make the right decision than to call him or her later to ask if you made the wrong decision.

This brochure is one in a series published by the International Society of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program. You may have additional interest in the following titles currently in the series

http://www.treesaregood.org/treecare/tree_selection.aspx

General Facts About Trees

* Trees keep our air supply fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
* In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven up to 8700 miles. * Trees provide shade and shelter, reducing yearly heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars. * Trees lower air temperature by evaporating water in their leaves. * The average tree in metropolitan area survives only about 8 years! * A tree does not reach its most productive stage of carbon storage for about 10 years. * Trees cut down noise pollution by acting as sound barriers. * Tree roots stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. * Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds. * Trees provide protection from downward fall of rain, sleet, and hail as well as reduce storm run-off and the possibility of flooding, * Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife. * Trees located along streets act as a glare and reflection control. * The death of one 70-year old tree would return over three tons of carbon to the atmosphere.

Garden Party part 2

Flower bouquet arrangement. Mix of Heliconia, orchid,fern and palm foliage.

Mix of flower arrangement

Waterfeature component at the entrance area.

Garden ornamental element - Mix of bamboos, Rhapis foliage, Heliconia flower and etc.

Image at the reception area.
Bamboos ' pelita / stand torch ' element used to symbolize the traditional village ambiance during the Eid Celebration.

Garden Party Design

Last month I have been asked to decorate our office Eid celebration. Here are some of the work that i would like to share.

The entrance - combination of bamboo, licuala, mussaenda, cordyline and etc to create a sense of welcoming

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Petunia with decorative pots

Petunia sp.

Indoor decoration. - The bamboos used to soften the hardiness effect in the building.

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MINIMAL IS GREAT

1. IT'S WONDERFUL TO WATCH MY KIDS IN THE KID POOL IN OUR SMALL GARDEN IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE....

2. THIS KIND OF ACTIVITY NEED TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN PLANNING YOUR GARDEN.

3. THE SUCCESS OF ANY GARDEN DEPENDS ON HOW GOOD WE DO THE SPACE ARRANGEMENT ..ALWAYS LEAVE SOME FOR INTERACTION.

RAZIN AND ZUYYIN HAVING FUN

OPEN LAWN IS A MUST WHEN PLANNING YOUR OWN GARDEN

SATISFYING

Explore Garden Styles

From formal to informal or somewhere in between, let us give you a better understanding of which garden style you prefer. Below are a few unique garden styles you may enjoy creating in your own landscape.

Formal Garden
Long axial views, usually with a symmetrical layout, clipped hedges are common sights, these are the earmarks of a formal garden style. This garden type conveys power and control over the environment as well as its visitors. Early French Gardens were constructed with control and manipulation of nature in mind. Many were very large gardens the had a strong geometry instilled into the plans. Nature was subdued into submission and water played an important role in expressing the freedom in the garden and in nature. Later formal axial views gave way to long winding paths surrounded by gardens of natural land which people used to great extent in the pastime of escaping into the countryside and spending the day strolling through the gardens. It wasn't until the 19th century that the idea of a flowering trees and shrubs or the addition of flowerbeds entered French garden design. There were still thoughtfully layed out walks and paths to enjoy, with plantings of seemingly free formed plantings surrounding there walks and paths

Woodland Garden
Usually with an existing canopy, this style has a soft delicate pallet of under story, shade and partial sun loving plants, dispersed randomly in groupings that mimic nature's distribution in colonies with subtle meandering paths that blanket the forest floor. Typical materials used in the woodland garden are natural like wood and natural stone. The design of a woodland garden should be almost undetectable as it's design is to mimic nature's way of placing plant materials and the use of hardscaping elements such as the foot bridge shown above. The use of a natural appearing water feature or stream, complete with rocks and boulders, can enhance the feeling of nature and add to the authentic feel of the woodland garden space.

English Garden
English landscape gardening in it's early form was mainly utility in function. Vast deer parks surrounded large estate homes and small knot gardens filled with lilies and tulips may be near the house itself. Orchards and kitchen gardens would be planted further away from the home and paths with walls or hedges flanking them. Later, as the middle class implemented their English garden influence, the style became a more relaxed form of garden design the removal of some of the boundaries and hedges and working the garden into the natural landscape became the foundation of the English Garden we know today. Other influences in the English Style are the of the Palladian architectural style, the Italian use of Sculptures in the garden setting as well as the formal French garden style the uses long lawn vistas. Long lawn views bordered by natural plantings of trees and lush border plantings along natural appearing, but planted trees and shrubs.

Container Garden
When space is limited or there is no available free soil or ground, container gardens are an attractive and successful substitute for beds. This style usually implies a small space or courtyard limited by the denseness of an urban setting. Containers can be easily moved around for a change and take up very little space. Vary the sizes and shapes of pots, try to group them in different positions and size., plant contrasting textured plants together or complementing colors for exciting plant and container arrangements even in the smallest spaces

Wildflower Garden
The random pattern of a meadow of wildflowers can be one of the most breathtaking sites created by mother nature. It is also very attractive to birds and butterfly alike. Planting flowers that attract butterflies and birds is a challenging and rewarding garden type to be enjoyed by the young and young at hear

Oriental Garden
An oriental garden includes what would appear to be elements of an informal garden, but in reality is a very purposeful spatial arrangement, with its clipped shrubs and trees, meticulously placed rocks and garden elements. Incorporating constantly changing views as one walks from space to space, coupled with thoughtfully placed water, plants and rocks to convey visual serenity. Oriental gardens are full of deep meanings and symbolism. There are many different types of Japanese or Oriental gardens, but most use similar elements. Instead of colorful flowers and shrubs, like you might see in a Western garden, most Asian gardeners concentrate on the use of rocks, stones, trees, plants, bridges, water and waterfalls. You’ll often see rocks that surround a pond or stream that are then encased with plants or shrubs. In Japanese ponds or streams, you’ll often find koi – a common fish. The gardens purpose is to capture nature and become a quiet place for refection or meditation

Cottage Garden The cottage garden can be one of the most charming of all the styles because of the unassuming nature and humble origin. It is marked by informal plantings and style. Low picket fences or walls and small walks to the porch setting are some of the elements that the cottage garden employs. A Cottage Garden is just as it sounds, a smaller cozy garden. Because of the limited space, gardeners play up patches of plants, instead of grass or trees. Since these areas are the focus of the yard, gardeners use colorful plants and ground cover. This is the area to be creative; pick a wide variety of plants you like, that compliment one another in the space. Gardeners often surround these colorful spaces with borders of brick or stone walkways. These borders can be in any geometric design; if you have the space try some patterns to accentuate the area

Romantic Garden
Who doesn’t love to have fresh flowers on display in your home? It’s one of the benefits of a cutting garden, when you fill it with flowers you love. Roses are a favorite, but you might consider planting other types of flowers, so you’ll have a longer blossoming season. Roses also need special care and space, so make sure you know roses before you choose them. While the garden will be absolutely stunning during the peak season, it won’t last too long, so pick an area of the yard that isn’t the focal point year-round. The results will be well worth it when you have beautiful flowers to display and share with friends. Nurture love in a romantic garden. Scented plants, love seats for two or create privacy in a secluded part of the garden. Create a romantic paradise for entertaining your lover. Put plants that have significant meanings to you and your love.

Sculpture Garden
Just as the name implies, this garden uses the outdoor garden setting as a platform to appreciate sculpture. A sculpture garden can take on either formal or informal style by including traditional or abstract sculptures. Sometimes hiding a sculpture in a garden setting can add interest and mystery to a garden setting.