SCULPTING A LANDSCAPE WITH MATURE PLANTS

SCULPTING A LANDSCAPE WITH MATURE PLANTS

By LUCY BODILLY
Special to the Journal

One of the cardinal rules of landscape design is to allow for plant growth. Now even that is being put to the test, with improved methods for moving specimen size trees and shrubs.

Though several nurseries provide larger plant material, the Landscape Design Center is in the forefront. A regular winner at the Seattle Flower Show, the nursery collects plants from all over the West Coast.

The large plant materials are meant to create a focal point in the garden. "The owner or landscape architect chooses the material to make an instant impact," said David Ohashi, president of the Landscape Design Center and D.M. Ohashi Landscape Services.

The plants are generally chosen because of their unique branching structure, to perform a specific function, or because it is unusual to see a large plant of that specific type.

Though the plants in many ways simplify the landscape design, moving them is a complicated process. Generally, the larger plants weigh between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds and can be as tall as 26 feet. Often the moves are recorded by the local press in towns all the way up the I-5 Corridor. Materials come from areas that are about to be developed, from older nurseries going out of business or from private homes. At the Landscape Design Center, Ohashi generally sells between 50 and 100 of the plants per year with prices starting at $1,000, to homeowners, or landscape professionals working on custom homes. Technically, some are also purchased by the Landscape Services company for placement in projects it designs or installs.

The trick to the move is in digging up the plant precisely in order to preserve as much of the root ball as possible.
Ohashi prefers to create landscapes that have a "simple elegance," often with an Asian influence.
"Digging methods have improved greatly in the past five years. And in the right type of soil, the plants do well," Ohashi said. The survival function is completely reliant on the ability of the rootball to regenerate.

One factor for increased business is the strong regional economy. "Look at the number of million dollar homes being built here," Ohashi said. "To use top rated materials in the house, but not in the yard is doing yourself a disservice."

Plants can be shipped either to the installation site or to the nursery. At the nursery, the root balls are either kept wrapped in burlap or boxed until purchased. The advantage to being shipped at the nursery is that customers can see exactly what they are buying, a reasonable request when spending large sums of money.

Moving the trees around takes large trailers and cranes, or loaders. For crane installation, the root ball is balanced in a sling and then lifted into place with a crane or with a loader. The main limitation, for the largest trees, is that the plant location must be within reach of the crane boom.

Difficulties also arise when the home is an area with limited access. "We have access to a crane with a sixty-foot reach, but you have to take into account the cost of the crane." Such installations can be pricey, as high as $50,000 for a single tree. In especially difficult spots, the company has even explored the possibility of using helicopters.

Many of Ohashi's projects are along the shores of Lake Washington where the city of Seattle imposes its Sensitive Areas ordinance.

On a current project, the firm must work around regulations that will not allow vegetation to be removed on a steep hillside that runs down to the lake. It must meet requirements that forbid removal of existing vegetation, replacement of vegetation that is damaged and weight restrictions on what is placed there.

Fortunately, most of the landscaping will take place along the shore. The materials will be moved from the nursery on a truck, and then barged down Lake Washington and removed from the barge with a crane.

This particular project is notable because one of the main focal points will be a huge sumac tree, called by horticultural writer Anne Lovejoy, "the sumac that traveled up I-5," because it was shipped from Oregon. The plant's size and structure won it a place in a Seattle Flower show display.

Those displays, which regularly win first place awards are also the responsibility of the other Ohashi-owned company, D.M. Ohashi. Both companies are owned by Ohashi and his brother, both of whom are landscape designers.

When working with the owner as designers, Ohashi prefers to create landscapes that have a "simple elegance" often with an Asian influence. The specific design depends on the owner's preference. "Sometimes they need a large open lawn area for entertaining, but most people like to create intimate spaces throughout the property," he said.

One example is a Hunts Point homeowner who wanted to provide a suitable play area for the children, including areas for large and small muscle development, education and occasional fun.

The highlight is a stage area created by large rocks where the children can perform for their other family members. A shaded area with different berries allowed them to enjoy the fruits of nature and develop small muscle skills. A spot with climbing rocks provides large muscle exercise. And, for fun, a large elephant topiary hides a sprinkler system that washes both feet and heads.

Structure for the garden design comes from the hardscape. This year's Flower Show display features examples of natural stone outcropping, granite, a wooden bench and patio. "We like to integrate a lot of different materials," said Ohashi.

Ohashi also likes to add a personal touch when possible. For several clients he has designed his own sculptures that highlight the landscape. "I hope they will appreciate in value," he said.

Return to Landscape Architecture & Construction top page