Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Braselton News
Page 9A
Twig and bark pigments enhance seasonal color
Barrow Business and Home Expo planned
Fall and winter color for most
of us coincides with annual
changes in leaf pigments and
an abundance of bright red ber
ries.
But there are other sources of
seasonal color that last longer
and repeat more consistently in
spite of drought and other con
ditions that primarily affect foliage.
Brilliant pigments in various shades of red, orange,
and yellow typify the bark and twigs of some maples
and varieties of dogwoods while some cultivars
of crape myrtles continue to illuminate the winter
landscape with colorful bark. This fall encore perfor
mance generally lasts throughout the cold months,
and does not begin to fade until new growth resumes
in spring.
Among the maples known for a reliable and consis
tent show of this kind, the coral bark Japanese maple
(Acer palmatus ‘Sango Kaku’) is probably close to
the top of the popularity list.
Commonly available at the majority of our local
garden centers, this small tree transplants well, fits
comfortably into a variety of landscape niches, and
is reasonably fast-growing. But it is this tree’s bril
liant red stem color that stops viewers in their tracks,
particularly when displayed against a deep blue sky or
water that reflects this. The coral bark also produces
a great leaf show when foliage turns a deep shade of
butter yellow sporadically flushed with pink.
Another maple well worth considering as a focal
point grows taller and is more famous for its trunks
than for its autumn leaves or winter twigs. Well-
named paperbark maple (Acer griseum), locally
this beauty is close to the southernmost limits of its
climate comfort zone but performs fairly well in the
Braselton area if partially shaded.
Although the trifoliate leaves of the paper bark
can be showy in autumn when they turn from dark
green to shades of red and bronze, it is the winter
bark of this tree that contributes most to its popular
ity. Older wood greater than a half inch in diameter
typically turns a gorgeous shade of cinnamon brown
as it slowly peels back to expose an ever increasing
amount of bark color.
Because of the manner in which this tree exfoliates
bark, exposing a patchwork of color instead of a more
uniform pattern, it is difficult to compare the natural
artistry of the paper bark maple to river birch or the
Natchez crape myrtle. But in general, the paper bark
maple is much slower growing and less dominant in
the landscape than either birch or crape myrtle.
The same could be said of the Tatarian dogwood
when compared to the flowering native and Asian
varieties. Cultivars for the former are not known for
blooms in spring or early summer, but they are famous
for winter twig color in shades of red and yellow.
Probably the best known of these cultivars is
Siberica, well-known for its dense upright twigs that
turn a bright red in a shade
similar to that of the coral bark
maple.
Normally grown in masses
or hedge rows in full sun, this
shrub is not considered as
happy in Braselton’s climate
zone 7-b as in areas much fur
ther north. Nevertheless, well-
sited and protected from the hot afternoon sun, it will
usually put on a good show for many years before it
may eventually succumb to dogwood canker or other
ailments of botanical old age.
In our climate zone and south into central Florida,
the lacebark or Chinese elm presents yet another good
choice for attractive winter bark. This is displayed
in a beautiful mottled pattern in shades of orange,
brown, gray, and green. Given adequate moisture and
room, this tree grows rapidly and can reach heights of
over 40 feet with similar widths in less than 10 years.
Consider planting it wherever a finer textured version
of the Japanese zelkovia is desirable.
The lacebark elm is ideally suited to street planting
and large areas where it has plenty of room to grow.
It should not be sited near other large trees where it
is forced to lean toward the sunlight, spoiling its nor
mally symmetrical shape.
Like most trees known to display outstanding fea
tures in any season, lacebarks elms, river birch and
crape myrtles are over-used. This has a lot to do with
the fact that they transplant easily, produce dramatic
results at an early age, and are comparatively inex
pensive for mass planting by developers.
Individual homeowners, on the other hand, are
urged to plant these with restraint.
A single tree or naturalistic grove of these can serve
as a great wintertime focal point but, in excess, these
trees can be monotonous.
It also pays to consider locating such trees where
the twig and bark color contrasts favorably to other
plantings and structures. The bright red twigs of a
coral bark maple or the mahogany brown bark of a
Natchez crape myrtle will show up beautifully against
a background of white, blue, green, or pale gray. But
such color can be lost against a wall of red bricks or a
wide expanse of dormant Bermuda sod, unless skirted
by a generous number of low-growing evergreens.
Selective pruning can further enhance the attributes
of colorful twigs and bark. Gardeners may find it
advantageous to high prune river birches and other
trees with persistent lower branches or, just prior to
spring, to occasionally shear coral bark maples and
Siberica dogwoods. This will encourage a greater
abundance of younger twigs that produce the best
color.
Fil Jessee lives in Braselton, where he works as a
freelance journalist. He is a Georgia Certified Plant
Professional with experience in ornamental horticul
ture and landscape design. Reader questions relating
to gardening can be sent to Fil at fdwrites@aol.com.
Gardener’s
Grapevine
with
Fil Jessee
filwrites@aol.com
i/oie c '(f/i
Physical Therapy &
Rehabilitation Services at
7
| j Ml ROW
Regional Medical Center
I Nall 770.307.5228
to make your appointment
Monday. 7a.-5p
Tuesday... .7a-6:30p
Wednesday.. .8a-5p
Thursday. .7a-6:30p
Friday 8a-5p
Staff: (back) "Sam" Reenders; (front) (L-R):
| Mary Johnson, Anitra Hale & Cheryl Smith
L 1
The physical therapy clinic at BRMC is staffed by excellent therapists who strive to offer the highest
quality physical therapy treatments in the area. Our clinic is primarily an outpatient clinic and we
provide a wide variety of treatments to people of all ages. Our therapists are highly skilled and
provide cutting-edge treatment for our clients. Our goal is to provide the treatments and education
needed for each of our clients to reach their goals as soon as possible!!!
~ Symantha "Sam" Reenders
Director of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Services
Diagnoses that can be treated, but are not limited to, include:
• Acute and chronic injuries to joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments
including back and neck injuries
• Post surgical care (total joint replacements, knee and shoulder surgery, etc.)
• Sports and work injuries
• Acute and chronic wounds
• Neurological problems
• Balance Problems
• Chronic joint pain
Treatments we provide include:
• Specific therapeutic exercise prescription
• Soft tissue and joint manual treatments
• Return to work and sport specific programs
• Gait and balance training
• Wound care
• Modalities, including ultrasound and electrical
stimulation
Barrow Regional
Medical Center's
Physical Therapy &
Rehabilitation Services
314 North Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Winder, Georgia 30680
770-307-5228
www.barrowregional.com
The Barrow Business and Home Expo 07 will be
held on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The free event will be held at the Barrow County
Leisure Services Center, located at 175 Second Street,
Winder. The public is welcomed to attend the event,
which is hosted by the Barrow County Chamber of
Commerce.
The expo will encourage residents to “Shop Barrow
First,” and will include exhibits, food samples, door
prizes and shows every hour.
For more information, call the Barrow County
Chamber of Commerce at 770-867-9444.
Businesses sought for upcoming school career fair
Businesses are being sought to
participate in an upcoming career
fair for eighth and 10 th graders
in Jackson County’s middle and
high schools and Jefferson Middle
School.
The event will be held from 7:30
a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at
the Jefferson Civic Center.
Those who are interested in
receiving an application may con
tact Deb Hanzel, Jackson County
Comprehensive High School coun
selor, at (706) 367-5003 ext. 255
or dhanzel@jackson.kl2.ga.us.
Vintage tractor show ahead in Hoschton
The Hoschton Business Alliance will present a vin
tage classic tractor show on Saturday, Oct. 27, from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Hoschton Towne Center.
The event is free and parking is free. Booth space
is available.
The Coldwell Bankers RMR kid’s pumpkin carving
contest will be held at noon.
The event is also sponsored by Tractor Supply,
Maddox Feed and Seed of Jefferson and Gene and
Matt’s Tractors of Winder.
For more information, call 770-331-5525 or e-mail
twoodall@opteum.com.
Antique festival planned Oct. 27-28 in Braselton
The Braselton Antique and
Holiday Festival is set for Saturday
and Sunday, Oct. 27-28 in the
Braselton Park. Just a mile down
the road, the Hoschton Business
Alliance will sponsor the Vintage
Classic Tractor Show at Hoschton
Towne Center on Oct. 27.
The antique and holiday event
will feature antique dealers with
vintage and antique items of all
nature. An added feature is work
shops. Tim Cash, a Georgia master
florist, will offer holiday wreath
making for a fee.
Margaret Hobe’, a retired master
jewelry maker, will instruct how to
make beaded earrings. All of the
supplies are included in the work
shop fee.
Donna Bailey, artist, will teach
the art of turning a gourd into a
holiday character. Her own whimsi
cal ideas include a Freddy Kruger,
a snowman and a witch. All work
shop participants must choose the
character ahead of time and the
materials are included in the sign
up fee.
Vendors, food and entertainment
will be part of the tractor show.
Coldwell Banker will help children
carve pumpkins. Tractors will com
pete in a couple of unique venues.
Both events are free admission
and free parking.
Submit your school or social news from Braselton, Hoschton, Chateau Elan, Mill Creek,
South Hall or West Jackson by e-mailing news@mainstreetnews.com, faxing items to
706-387-5421 or calling 706-367-5986. Feature story ideas are also welcomed.
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