Planting Studies: Species/Climate Compression

Drawing Text:
Three tree species, each representing a distinct arboreal type and climate zone, are planted in very close proximity to each other (trunks touching). Branches and root ball of each species are cut, woven or shaped to produce a unified structure. The intention is for the three species (and their representative climates) to become "one organism," physically if not para-botanically over time, even with extreme differences in scale, growth-rate and character. All horticultural practices needed to insure the maximum chance of survival for all species should be employed.

Planting Study: Species/Climate-Zone Compression I, 1998-2000
Palm/Olive/Spruce; Palm/Poplar/Yew

Planting Study: Species/Climate-Zone Compression II, 1998-2000
Cedar/Orange/Maple; Pine/Palm/Oak



These studies were instrumental in the conceptual development of Seventh Climate (Paradise Reconsidered), I-5 Colonnade Park, Seattle, WA, 2006. In this project, as the central feature, a tree group comprised of: Trachycarpus fortunei - Windmill/Chusan Palm (Taiwan, Chusan Islands), Magnolia denudata - Yulan/Tulip Magnolia (Central China), Betula jacquemontii - Himalayan Birch (Western Himalaya), and Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood (China, paleo-North America, Asia, Europe), were planted root ball to root ball to form "one organism," and individually to represent 4 of the project's 7 "climates."

 

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