Although this 'Ficus benjamina' tree is small, it still displays the leaf and branch structures that warrant its other name, weeping Chinese banyan.




Photograph by Kathy De La Torre







Classes teach gardeners to care for trees, plants

By Tony Tomeo

Every winter, I get many telephone calls from garden enthusiasts in need of referrals for arborists or horticulturists qualified to perform winter pruning of fruit trees. This type of pruning is so specialized that most of the very few arborists who are qualified to do it cannot charge enough to justify the time required to do it properly.

In fact, I often tell my clients it would be less expensive to buy all the fruit they could possibly want at the market than to pay an arborist to prune their trees properly. This is why it is best for garden enthusiasts to learn how to prune their own trees.

Fortunately, the Campbell Recreation Department offers classes on fruit three pruning. Unfortunately, I did not acquire this information in time to write about it before the beginning of registration, so I do not know how many vacancies are still open in the class. The fruit tree pruning class will be conducted Jan. 23 and 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The registration fee is $30. A gardening class will also take place Tuesdays from March 13 to April 17, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; registration is $62.

The first half of the fruit tree pruning class (No. 2227) is two hours of classroom instruction, concerning the principles of fruit tree nutrition, pests, disease, irrigation and pruning, in Room 42 of the Campbell Community Center. The second half of the class is a "hands-on" session conducted rain or shine at Castro Middle School Community Gardens, 4600 Student Lane. Participants must bring their own hand shears, loppers and gloves, if desired. The instructor is Lowell Cordas, who earned his bachelor's degree in botany from the University of Washington.

The gardening class (No. 2226) is conducted by the Master Gardeners from the University of California Cooperative Extension. It involves a series of gardening topics designed to assist garden enthusiasts with planning for a summer garden. Topics include summer bulbs, vegetables, turf management and tree care. For more information about these two classes or other classes, call the Campbell Recreation Department at 408.866.2105.

Since Jan. 10, registration has been open to everyone--residents of Campbell as well as nonresidents. The best chance of getting into the class is by walk-in registration at the Campbell Community Center, 1 West Campbell Ave., Room 31, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone registration may be made by calling the number above. (Fax registration may be done by calling first for a registration form, then faxing it back. Registration by mail is not recommended at such a late date.)

Another seasonal event that was brought to my attention (but in a more timely manner) is the Informational Volunteer Coffees at the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. The letter I received describes the event more accurately and eloquently than I would; so I will quote directly from it.

"Now is a great time to get involved! Guadalupe River Park and Gardens is hosting informal meetings in late January to introduce prospective volunteers to the many opportunities available in the park.

Two Volunteer Coffees will be held on Jan. 30. One will be at 11 a.m. and the other at 7 p.m. at the Garden Center, 715 Spring St., between Taylor and Hedding streets. These coffees will be informal gatherings where prospective volunteers are given an overview of the park's history, design and development.

Volunteers are especially needed in the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden, the Recycled Water Demonstration Garden and the Historic Orchard. We also need more occasional volunteer work at special events and river cleanups. This year we are particularly interested in recruiting people to be trained as docents.

If you enjoy meeting new people, working outdoors and contributing to our community, this might be the ideal way to become involved in your community. For questions about the Volunteer Coffees and/or to RSVP, call Lucy Perez, volunteer coordinator at 408.298.7657 or visit www.grpg.org.

Tree of the Week: Weeping Chinese Banyan

The weeping Chinese banyan, which is native to India, is known by many common names, including its botanical name, Ficus benjamina. A ficus tree should only be grown outside if it is sheltered from frost and wind. If permitted to grow to full size inside, it may reach even high ceilings. It prefers sunny rooms with minimal temperature fluctuation. Sudden changes in environment may cause leaf drop, or even defoliation.

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Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574.

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