#asia native

[lovecraftsgarden]

Akebia quinata

Chocolate Vine,  Five-Leaf Akebia

(via)

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Photinia Villosa / Oriental Photinia

Family: Rosaceae

Native: China, Japan, Korea

Mature Size: 8-15ft height; 8-12ft spread

Habitat: clay, well drained soil;

Hardiness Zone: 4-8

Leaf Color: green; golden, bronze yellow in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: white; fall season

Enclosure:

The general geometry of the Oriental Photinia is such that it can not support any treehouse structure, nor does it create any sense of enclosure from it’s leaf canopy. However, the irregularity of the long branches can offer isolated shade canopy, so the Oriental Photinia is useful for creating a semi-screen, where privacy or light is not desired to be blocked out completely, but only a little bit.

Sources:

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/photinia-villosa/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Photinia+villosa

USDA Plants Database https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PHVI81

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Corylopsis spicata / Spike Winterhazel

Family: Hamamelidaceae

Native: China, Japan

Mature Size: 4-8ft height, 6-10ft spread

Habitat: light but rich, medium moisture, soils that drain well;

Hardiness Zone: 5-8

Leaf Color: bronze-purple in the spring; blue-green in summer; yellow to yellow-green in the fall

Flower color/Bloom time: Lemon yellow with red-purple anthers; March to April; 

Enclosure:

The Spike Winterhazel is bushy plant that grows open or upright with spreading, picturesque branches. The spreading of the branches extends outwards and downwards after an initial upward growth at the trunk.  This can result in a low but navigable space inside the plant. The branches droop lower towards the end but trend outward, and so they do not form a strong wall-type enclosure around the edge, but it is still semi-screened. The low height means that this would not make a good outdoor or space, but would be better suited to a sleeping space. There is a sense of enclosure above and to the sides, although it is not the strongest or most effective screen. The Spike Winterhazel is not effective at blocking out strong winds.

Sources:

Oregon State University Landscape Plants https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/corylopsis-spicata

Missouri Botanical Garden http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=281037&isprofile=1&gen=Corylopsis

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/corylopsis-spicata/

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Juniperus chinensis / Chinese Juniper

Family: Cupressaceae

Native: China, Japan, Mongolia and the Himalayas

Mature Size: 40-50ft height, 8-25ft spread

Habitat: Woodland garden canopy; sunny edge; ground cover

Hardiness Zone: 4-9

Leaf Color: foliage is dark green

Flower color/Bloom time: non-flowering

Enclosure:

The columnar crown shape of the Chinese Juniper results in branches growing upward and outwards makes for natural circulation for a human. Additionally, a small structure could be supported on the lower branches which are larger and stronger. The upward trajectory of the branches at the end can provide a semi-wall enclosure for such a structure, and serve as a minor wind break or privacy screen.

Sources:

American Conifer Society https://conifersociety.org/conifers/juniperus-chinensis/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Juniperus+chinensis

North Carolina Plant Toolbox https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-chinensis/

GoBotany https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/juniperus/virginiana/

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Juniperus rigida / Needle Juniper 

Family: Cupressaceae

Native: Japan, Korea, northern China

Mature Size: 15-25ft height, 10-20ft spread

Habitat: well-drained soils in full sun

Hardiness Zone: 6-7

Leaf Color: sharply-pointed bright green needles; white stomatal band on top;

Flower color/Bloom time: non-flowering

Enclosure:

The perpendicular branch geometry stemming from the central trunk is ideal as a natural ladder-type for upward movement for a human. The branches are not large enough in diameter or length to support a large structure, but it can support smaller structures such as a hunter’s lookout. Additionally, the Needle Juniper has been used in Japan in temple gardens due to their ornamental appearance and long shadows, providing an effective shade canopy.

Small Platform Precedents:

1) Deer Stand: Tadashi Kawamata method should be used instead.

https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/deer-stand.html?pg=2

2)  Hunter’s Perch: Temporary structure attached to central trunk.

https://www.natchezss.com/summit-crush-series-perch-hang-on-treestand-300-lb-limit.html

Sources:

National Gardening Association https://garden.org/plants/view/588593/Juniper-Juniperus-rigida-subsp-rigida/

American Connifer Society https://conifersociety.org/conifers/juniperus-rigida/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Juniperus+rigida

Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=279596&isprofile=0&

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Juniperus squamata 'meyer' / Meyer Singleseed Juniper

Family: Cupressaceae 

Native: Himalayas of China and Afghanistan;

Mature Size: 5-8ft height, 10-20ft spread

Habitat: Forests, thickets, valleys and roadsides in mountain areas

Hardiness Zone: 4-7

Leaf Color: gray-green to blue-green needles with gray-white band

Flower color/Bloom time: non-flowering, flowers not showy

Enclosure:

The Meyer Singleseed Juniper has a fountain-like, arching geometry. The branches extend outwards, downwards, and upwards, creating volumes of space underneath that can be crawled into. The irregularity of the branch geometry means that the under branch area can be difficult to navigate. However, if one manages to enter underneath there is ample protection from wind, light, and can block some rain. This bush thus provides a good sleeping space within the low, but completely encompassing, plant.

Sources:

National Gardening Association https://garden.org/plants/view/77354/Flaky-Juniper-Juniperus-squamata-Blue-Star/

Connon Nurseries https://plants.connon.ca/11100004/Plant/7394/Meyer_Juniper/

American Connifer Society https://conifersociety.org/conifers/juniperus-squamata-meyeri/

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Juniperus+squamata

Missouri Botanical Garden https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=263289&isprofile=0&

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Ilex serrata / Japanese Winterberry

The Ilex serrata is a deciduous shrub native to Japan. It is a hardy species with dark green leaves and light pink flowers during blooming season. Female Ilex serrata trees will bear red berries if a male tree is nearby as a result of pollination. The leaves are alternate and simple. The long, rolled form of the leave is centered on a central mid-rib with alternating veins that stretch to smoothed margins.

The shrub aspects of the Japanese Winterberry automatically mean that no treehouse or structural platform of any sort will be built here. However, the thick, long leaves create a thick layer of semi-enclosure similar. The branches are thicker and sturdier, so if you are sleeping here overnight the branches will hold up against the leaves and will not blow into you as easily during the night. These branches also extend out form the main core of the shrub significantly, so an overnight sleeper doesn’t have to be in the shrub itself, but can lay next to it under the overhang of the shrub. This shrub could thus be a good place to sleep under overnight if needed.

Sources: 

Bonsai Empire https://www.bonsaiempire.com/tree-species/japanese-winterberry

Plants for a Future https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Ilex+verticillata

[jonathanbuildsatreehouse]

Prunus sargentii / Sargent Cherry

The Prunus sargentii is a tree native to Northeastern Asia, found in countries such as Russia, Korea, and Japan. It has a dense, broad-rounded crown when grown out to it’s 20-30 foot height. Its pink flowers bloom in the spring before the foliage, and it comes in 2 to 4 flowered clusters, also known as sessile umbels. Dark purple-black berries follow the flowers and ripen in the summer, but are inedible. The leaves of the tree first unfurl as a brownish-purplish color before transitioning to a dark green, and are opposite and simple, with a central mid-rib and alternating evenly-spaced veins. The leaves are elliptic and oblong, and taper to an acuminate tip, with serrated margins. 

Source:

Arbor Day Foundation: https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=817

Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286557&isprofile=0&