The problem – weed-infested junipers in co-op common areas
No one would contest the fact that the junipers at the entrances to parking lots in my large co-op community had been neglected for a long time. But as I’d been suggesting to anyone who’d listen, they just needed a good weeding and underbelly pruning (also known as limbing up). That way the many birds nests in the upper portions wouldn’t be disturbed there, where I’d long noticed birds entering and exiting.
I thought the same solution I’d used at the co-op office building a few yards away could also be used in the several areas where old junipers were such a mess. Below, what the main entrance looked like in 2017:
No comment. But go ahead and judge for yourselves.
When I volunteered to adopt this landscape I asked GardenRant readers what to do about the overgrown junipers and responses were split, with the “Tear ’em out!” contingent warning about the trash, rodents and thieves that large shrubs like these can harbor.
For reasons of labor, money and the basic principle of sustainability – use what you’ve got – I decided to keep almost all the junipers, asking the co-op maintenance team to remove just the ones close to the sidewalk. The pruning was a lot of (very satisfying) work, made even more satisfying by comments from passersby who love the bonsai-like effect.
I described the pruning process more in this post.
Sorry, junipers. You were messy and had to go!
But I’m sad to report that all the junipers were removed before most of us knew it was in our landscape’s future. They were replaced with hollies in some places…
Photo taken about a month after planting (which did not include watering in.) This is a full-sun spot, with more heat generated by the garage wall.
…and camellias in others.
If only a lot LESS had been done!
My point is that when you take out old but perfectly healthy, completely self-sustaining plants like these junipers, you’re causing yourself considerably more trouble, in a variety of forms:
- MUCH more labor is required to keep any new plants alive and thriving for their first few years – even the ones perfectly adapted to the site – compared to junipers that needed zero supplemental watering.
- Lack of inclusion of residents (called “members” in a co-op) in the process can cause a shit-ton of conflict in person and anger on the co-op’s Facebook group.
- Then rejecting the plants requested by the nearest residents and planting instead what an arborist selected can ramp up that conflict.
- Naturally, having someone (apparently) unfamiliar with shrubs choose the ones to replace the junipers can lead to…
- The wrong plants in the wrong places, and surprisingly quick plant death.
- And no matter what’s planted next, the soil and habitats well established there have been disturbed or destroyed.
- And probably more.
People who think they know plants….
Why do you suppose so many decision-makers think they’re qualified to make decisions about plants despite knowing zero about them? It could be their natural know-it-all personality but I’m sure in many cases it’s because people who’ve never gardened have NO IDEA there’s so much to it. There’s just SO much to know that even after my decades of gardening I know to ask questions.
Oh dear! What a loss of character and aesthetics that can’t be replaced. I am sorry they did that. I remember reading your original post about the junipers.
Update on the camellias: they are all dead. They were planted by GHI in a super sunny spot and in spite of pleadings by courtyard residents to put in a native plant community garden. So many costs: money, time, goodwill toward GHI.
When I was a Biology undergrad, I took a botany class from someone well versed in many areas of gardening, including wetlands. Her most memorable quote was “The more you know, the more you realize what you DON’T know.” How true I have found that to be…
Your poor junipers aside for a moment, along with all the stupidity, and the problem that now needs to be “solved” AGAIN — the title of this piece deserves an entire book. I’m fed up with the products/plants/STUFF that apparently needs to be bought or redesigned or renovated in order to make one a better steward. The people I have met throughout my life who are truly the best stewards of the environment, and truly live sustainable lives have some skin in the game – they didn’t buy themselves into stewardship, in fact they did the opposite, living well within their means, and espousing the values of “reduce, reuse, recycle” — just as you do Susan. – MW
Thank you so much for writing about this situation because it happens so much, everywhere, and all the time! And it really does matter. It’s not just landscaping. It’s precious space for whole ecosystems like you said. This article should be shared with every ‘average landscaper’ out there so that maybe they can begin to see how much more their work actually matters to not just humans but all species.
Truly it constantly amazes me how totally boring and ubiquitous the plantings around most public places are. I guess the businesses just go with the cheapest landscapers.