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Beautiful Conifer: Atlas cedars are identified by their open, spreading branch structure and their clusters of light bluish-green needles.
Photograph by Shari Kaplan
College students are available to do horticultural projects
By Tony Tomeo
I have some good news and some bad news. First, the good news. In response to my earlier request for referrals to qualified gardeners, a Mrs. McCormick of Los Gatos, who really knows gardening, suggested I try the horticulture department of Foothill College. Many students of horticulture are available for gardening work and can be contacted through the department. Dan Svensen is the contact for more information at 650.949.7402.
Although I have not yet tried this source, I remember some of my colleagues obtaining work in this manner while we were attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In fact, Brent Green started his landscape company in San Luis Obispo after being hired to maintain, and later design, home gardens.
In last week's column, I'm afraid a few changes were made in the editing process that may have created some confusion. For that reason, I'd like to clarify those portions that may not have come out the way I intended.
In one part, the column said, "Although urban sprawl has replaced almost all of the agricultural land, San Mateo County is still considered prolific in horticultural production." What I intended to say was "Although urban sprawl has replaced almost all of the agricultural land in Santa Clara and Alameda counties, San Mateo County, which was once the most productive in the country, continues to produce more horticultural crops than all but a few other places."
There was also a reference to the "former glory days of horticulture," which makes it sound as though the industry is no longer doing well. However, horticultural production and agriculture continue to be the main industries on the San Mateo County coast.
I should also clarify two other facts. The horticultural establishments hosting the Tour de Fleurs on July 28 are open for tours only during this event. Most are not open to the public "for visits" at other times. Also, these are real production-oriented nurseries and farms that produce horticultural crops and not merely acquire "collections." For information call 650.726.8380 ext. 15
One last interesting note relevant to the sunflower featured last week that was somehow omitted describes the physiology of flowers produced by members of that family: "Members of the family Compositae, known as composites, produce compound flowers composed of many fertile central flowers known as disk flowers, which are surrounded by sterile outer flowers known as ray flowers. The large "petals" around sunflowers and daisies are actually the ray flowers." The family Compositae also includes dahlia, calendula, chrysanthemum, coreopsis, echinacea and dandelions.
Tree of the Week: Atlas cedar
Because the Atlas cedar, Cedrus atlantica, is native to Algeria, it enjoys the warm, dry climate of California. Mature trees can survive without supplemental irrigation, but prefer periodic, deep irrigation through summer if the soil is well-drained. In fact, it seems that the only thing they do not tolerate is generous irrigation in dense, slowly drained soil.
Unlike most conifers, cedars produce their short needles in tufted clusters. Dense, round cones may be seen in mature trees, but do not fall intact. Instead, cones shed scales until only the sharp, vertical cores remain. Cedars also produce copious pollen that seems to be attracted to otherwise clean parked cars.
The Atlas cedar grows slowly, but can eventually grow to more than 50 feet tall. Branch structure is usually more open and sculptural in young trees. Although the limbs are more vertical and rigid when compared to other cedars, they can eventually spread to 20 or 30 feet.
Older trees that are not cultivars are somewhat bluish green. The most common cultivar, C. a. 'Glauca', is a blue Atlas cedar that exhibits bluish gray foliage. C. a. 'Aurea' is golden green. (I always thought they appeared sickly; but some people like them.) C. a. 'Pendula' exhibits the same color as C. a. 'Glauca' but is so pendulous that it requires staking, bracing or other manipulation to keep it off the ground.
Atlas cedars and their cultivars are not among the most common of trees and are therefore not available from all nurseries and garden centers unless special ordered. They may be planted at any time of year, but preferably not in early spring when emerging from dormancy.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or online at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
