To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as people, we must have trees.-- Theodore Roosevelt
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature‹the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.-- Rachel Carson
Bringing China To Your Landscape
Part Two
by Ronald E. Rothhaas Jr.
The Arbor Doctor
Earlier this year I wrote the first in what I intend to be a series of articles on bringing China to your landscape. I missed the deadline for the last newsletter because my wife and I were in China in July adopting our new daughter, Melanie Fei Min Rothhaas. Needless to say, I was a bit pre-occupied!
Our new daughter is now an integral part of our family, our lives, and our hearts. The country of China has forever left an impression upon me and my wife. We loved the country, it’s people, the food, and yes, for me, the plants. I saw many of the ginkgo trees I wrote about in my previous article planted in and around Beijing. The goldenraintrees I mentioned were growing on the mountainside along the great wall. 80 foot tall Norfolk Island pines, a tropical pine often used as a houseplant in Cincinnati, were growing in the park across from our hotel in Guangzhou.
The trees which really caught my attention were the hundreds or even thousands of lacebark pines (Pinus bungeana) planted throughout the Beijing area. I have long known and loved the lacebark pine for its’ unique ornamental features and beauty. While I knew it was a Chinese native it is not common in the U.S. and I did not expect to see so many in China.
There were literally hundreds planted along interstates and boulevards, as well as some impressive older specimens in the Summer Palace area. As we head into winter and our thoughts turn to evergreens, I thought it would be nice to feature the lacebark pine in this issue.
Lacebark pine is, simply put, a beautiful tree. The spring green colored evergreen needles stand out against the silvery bark of the tree. As the tree ages, the bark tends to exfoliate, or peel, similar to a sycamore, creating a mottled mixture of grey, silver, black, and olive colors in a pattern which looks like army camouflage.
However, the peeling bark never becomes messy like a sycamore. It is simply beautiful to look at. Lacebark pine may eventually attain a height of 30 to 50 feet, but you may not soon see such a size. The tree is slow growing (about a foot per year once established) and therefore will not quickly outgrow its space.
The tree is much taller than wide, similar to a spruce, and therefore is useful where upward growth is preferred, such as near a building or a driveway. Lacebark pine is not as dense as many evergreens. Therefore, while it may still be an acceptable - albeit slow-growing - screen, it does not become as dominating as many spruces and pines.
While lacebark pine is not common in Ohio, it is available. While you won’t likely find it at Home Depot, many garden stores should either have it or be able to get it. Earthscapes on Route 48 in Loveland does stock this tree.
If you would like to see an established lacebark pine, there are some fine specimens at the Cincinnati Zoo. Probably the most spectacular local trees are in Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. One spectacular 35 foot specimen with excellent bark character is located halfway between the front gate and the John Dietloff Funeral Home about 50 feet back from Spring Grove Avenue. This particular tree is one of the best I have seen locally.
You may contact him at 513-661-2673 or Ron@ArborDoctor.com