Even Evergreens Lose Leaves

DIG THIS for 11-19-08 by Peg Tillery

Many gardeners are retreating inside to pour through seed and gardening catalogues or to explore all those unread gardening books. But, if we do happen to go out into the garden to take advantage of some milder days for clean up and a bit of last minute planting, we may notice some of our evergreen plants looking not so evergreen.

Never fear, gardeners, evergreen plants lose their leaves too. Some even drop all their needles or foliage, causing a panic in newer gardeners or new home owners whose once blue green or dark green conifer suddenly sheds all its foliage. Evergreen shrubs and trees do indeed shed anywhere from a quarter to half of their leaves every year. As new leaves are added to the plant as it grows, the old leaves gradually die and fall off. Woody plants do this just as we humans shed hair. It is part of the growing process of the plant.

Larch (or Tamarack) called Larix laricinia and Dawn Redwood called Metasequoia glyptostroboides both lose their foliage entirely each year. When we look at these majestic trees we think they're evergreens like our cedar, fir and hemlock. Instead these beauties not only give us the splendor of our more familiar conifers but also put on a show each year along with the deciduous trees. If you ever shop at Central Market in Poulsbo, you may have seen the huge larch in the garden at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Each year the parishioners there have to explain to passersby that their tree is not dying.

Cryptomeria japonica (aka plume cedar) is an evergreen tree with soft wispy, ethereal blue green foliage. But each fall the foliage turns shades of red, plum or sienna. Some cryptomeria appear rusty orange in color. Don't panic if you have one of these trees in your inherited garden or see one in your neighborhood for the first time. It too returns to its normal green color every spring and summer.

Rhododendrons and azaleas have foliage that sloughs off by thirds or so each year. Leaves begin to yellow and brown, then drop off. In addition some rhody and azalea varieties lose their leaves entirely in the fall and winter. They have leaves that look evergreen, but are actually deciduous. Other rhodies such as PJM and azaleas such as Stuart Stonianum turn purplish bronze and crimson respectively. Don't worry, in the spring and summer they turn back to green again.

This time of year it may also seem as if cedars and fir are shedding needles and scales everywhere. Never fear, this is normal. Usually these foliage bits and pieces have turned brown and yellow during the summer and early fall, but we didn't notice it until now when the winds and rain scatter it everywhere in our gardens. Some pine varieties seem to lose what seems like huge sections of its foliage but with patient waiting we discover it healthy and covered in greenery once again.

Bottom line: Do not fear, this is all part of the cycle of nature. When in doubt call the WSU Extension MG hotline at 360-337-7158 for advice and encouragement or consult with your favorite Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) at your favorite local nursery.

Volunteer Opportunities for Gardeners

DIG THIS by Peg Tillery (for 11-5-08)

We are already accepting applications for the Class of 2009. Classes will run every Friday from January 9 through April 10 at the Norm Dicks Government Center in Bremerton. Course tuition is $225. A group orientation and interview is November 13.
Visit http://kitsap.wsu.edu/hort/2009_intern.htm for information about applying for the program. Download, print out, fill out and return the forms and mail them in to reserve your space in the MG Class of 2009.

Saturday October 25 we celebrated the "official" grand opening of Fish Park in Poulsbo. Fish Park meanders along Dog Fish Creek. The park is across the street from Nelson Park. Hundreds of volunteers have worked on this native plant filled nature preserve. For the opening celebrations we were treated to the salmon returning up the creek. The chum salmon are an awesome and mighty fish. Suquamish Tribe fish biologist Paul Dorn enlightened us with information about the salmon and the Suquamish people who lived along Liberty Bay and along Dog Fish Creek for hundreds of years.

Fish Park has a scheduled work party date the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. This November 15 we will be planting trees. Round up your family and friends and come join us at Fish Park in Poulsbo. If you have questions please call Mary McCluskey at 360-779-9898. We hope to see you there.

One of the volunteers at Fish Park has been Scott Pomtier, owner (along with his wife Nancy Kaiser) of The Wild Bird, 19740 7th Avenue NE Suite B in Poulsbo. Scott has put together a booklet of the birds he's spotted at Fish Park. He's also donated bat houses and bird houses to the park. The Wild Bird website is www.thewildbird.net. During the month of December Pomtier and Kaiser will donate 10 percent of all sales to the West Sound Wildlife Shelter.

The Shelter is the only wildlife hospital and education center located in the entire Western Puget Sound and receives nearly all of its funding in the form of donations from individuals. It expects to treat over 700 wild animal patients this year as well as give unique live-animal education programs to over 5,000 kids and adults. You can find more information about the Shelter at www.westsoundwildlife.org.