That91裸聊视频檚 the number of trees Gjoa Taylor and partner John Bilodeau have planted at their Naramata Bench 91裸聊视频楪joa91裸聊视频檚 Vineyard91裸聊视频� property, on the agricultural west side of Okanagan Lake just north of Penticton town site.
91裸聊视频淚 left a demanding job with a plan to be a farmer again,91裸聊视频� is how Gjoa describes some major life changes. 91裸聊视频淚 grew up on a farm in Alberta. A desire to be closer to the land again inspired this enterprise.91裸聊视频�
Just beyond expansive windows where I91裸聊视频檓 sitting, an attractive treed rockery opens onto almost five acres of grape vines that stream toward a colourful palisade of 40 91裸聊视频� 60 year old native trees. There are cottonwoods, red osier dogwood, trembling aspen91裸聊视频aturalized weeping willow...and, within their property, their own tree additions on the verge of Strutt Creek, a protected Environmental Reserve.
Gjoa gestures toward additional plantings on their east and south property lines.
Pleased at my response to the verdant panorama Gjoa adds, 91裸聊视频淭he view is always changing with a million shades of green! By autumn there91裸聊视频檚 every colour of the rainbow.91裸聊视频�
Tree additions, the restoration of a small wetland, and Fire Smart removal of fourteen trees meant 91裸聊视频淎 big job91裸聊视频�, though well worth it.
On a tour of Gjoa and John91裸聊视频檚 7.5 acre property, I learn that saving, adding and maintaining trees has been a challenging project. Many early tree plantings were unsuccessful. 91裸聊视频淲e also struggled with some existing European white birch, a beautiful tree91裸聊视频adly not drought tolerant and prone to attack by birch borer insects.91裸聊视频�
Fortunately John found creative ways to retain the trunks of the white birch91裸聊视频s whimsical pencils. The white bark, slender trunks and sharpened coloured pencil lead tops have lent themselves to unique wildlife homes.
91裸聊视频淥bviously, with also a 30% loss to our Excelsa cedar experiments we needed a new tree plan,91裸聊视频� Gjoa confirms. Tree choices now must be drought tolerant, fire retardant where possible, with an eye on the tree relationship to vineyard vines.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 critical to avoid overshadowing the vines,91裸聊视频� John explains. 91裸聊视频淔ortunately we91裸聊视频檝e discovered that paper birch, given sufficient set-back, does allow good light through.91裸聊视频�
To avert a major loss if a problem arises with one species, Gjoa & John have focused on a variety of tree species.
Among their hard won successes are Cleveland Select pear, Scarlet English hawthorn, Golden rain tree, Ivory Silk lilac, European hornbeam, Amur red maple, mountain ash, columnar aspen and thoughtfully selected evergreens such as Douglas fir, Ponderosa and mountain pine.
Choosing more wisely has also meant trying exotic species like the Eastern redbud that brightens a deck area with bright pink blossoms in the spring, and golden leaves in the fall. It also attracts lots of bees!
Pollinators, birds and small wildlife are encouraged, except for pocket gophers. They91裸聊视频檙e given a quick exit. Rain catchment from the barn roof and irrigation water has been channelled to the tree additions. When necessary, John has hand-watered.
91裸聊视频淎 lot of work with lots of professional help too,91裸聊视频� John offers, scanning their well-treed and refreshingly 91裸聊视频榗ool91裸聊视频� vineyard property.
To contact Dianne please go to writer@diannebersea.com
