Gresham Japanese Garden

Tsuru Island
KAZ KIDS
Last month I told the story of Kaz
Tamura and how Tsuru Island cameto be. I introduced Jenny Halley as
one of the “Behind the Scenes”
people that we have partnered with.
We began hosting the students fromGresham High once a month tocome to Main City Park andparticipate with the landscapemaintenance along the “spur trail”
between Powell/Main and Tsuru
IslandOn one occasion a student asked mewhat the word “Kaz” on my shirt
sleeve meant and I explained who
KAZ was and what he did for thecommunity. The response was “thatis what we are doing too”…Thus
was born “KAZ KIDS”. When I
told Jenny about this conversation
we came up with the idea to have tshirts made for the kids.
She
informed me that Donny, who was
one of the students, enjoyed art andit may be possible for him to comeup with the artwork for the t-shirts.
Donny and I discussed that he would
have samples for me to review thenext month at the group volunteer
day. Donny had his folder and three
examples that he wanted to show.
The criteria were that the logo would
have big and bold letters and eachletter would be a different color.
With no apprehension Donnypresented his examples to me, one ata time and watched my expressions

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to determine what I was feeling.
“So, what do you think about thisone…Yes…No…Ok?”
I
explained my lack of responds
was not due to the lack ofenthusiasm about the sample, butrather my amazement at his talentand detail that he put into thisproject. Once he realized that hewas not missing the target anddid not need to be dusted off, wecontinued. We discussed puttingsome of the aspects of each to
make a design.
Seeing that
another sheet had been in thefolder, I asked, what is that one?
“Oh, that was the first one that I
did and I did not think you wouldlike it” Well folks that one was
the home run.
With help and magic from Sue
Hughes, the art work wasdigitized, the shirts were donatedby Katey Card and Cy Graphics
produced the logo onto the shirts
without charge.

It's not all Niwaki…
When referring to the Japanesestyle of pruning called “Niwaki”,
it must be specific to that styleand not what looks similar to thatform or other styles ofpruning/training. Some may
think that clouds, pads, balls andso on are a result of this uniquestyle of tree care/pruning, but they
are not the same. I realized that anassumption could be made when I
was reading an article in Sukiya
Living magazine that specifically
discussed the differences between
clouds and pads and the art of
Niwaki resulting in the tree forms.
Niwaki is specific to the East.
Other forms of pruning to createpads and clouds are western. I
have drawings of the twocomparisons from a publication

Donny is shown with the firstshirt out of the box which hesigned and will be displayed atthe Tsuru Island Resource Centerin Main City Park

that shows the differences which
are the results of the selective
approach to needling andcandling pines and other conifers.
I have discussed some of theCont. on page 2

principles of candling and theresults are obtained. As Tom Dufalaat Bentwood Tree Farm suggests, it ispredictable what the outcome will bewhen you specifically prune blackpines in certain areas of the tree, withFebruary 2016 edition

KAZ KIDS cont.
This goes to show you that there
is always a story. I am sure that
KAZ would never have seen thisone coming. 40 years later he has
his own fan club. I thank Jennyfor knowing her students so welland showing them the way to thechallenge.

BEHIND THE SCENESThis is "Behind the Scenes". I intend to
do this focus each month telling about aperson or organizations that work with
"Friends of Tsuru Island" to make thegarden, its programs and the information
possible. Most projects have individuals
that work behind the scenes providing aservice, a product or volunteer time tomake all that is accomplished possible
and we want our readers to know who
they are. Not only do I what to tell you
who they are but also how I might havebecome acquainted with them and how
they have helped build, grow and offer.

It’s not All Nikiwa,

a certain approach.
Want to see the differences in person?
We will have further instruction andtours to see the differences, watch
future newsletters and our website.

All Those Things To Do
Some time ago the person working
on the website retired and an effort
began to determine what to do when
we needed to make updates. I wasintroduced to Sue Hughes by Paul
Warr-King who knew Sue throughtheGresham
ChamberofCommerce. Since we met Sue has
designed and produced the newwebsite for GESCA and assistedwith training, maintenance andadvice for the advancement for ourwebsite.
Sue's graphic design career began
at Ohio University where she earneda degree in "Fine Arts". At that time
the computer was just beginning tobe introduced as a graphic arts tool.
Sue took the opportunity to learn
computer graphics on state of the art
equipment even before theMacintosh. Later Sue moved toGresham and worked in the multimedia industry, launching several
computer based design companies.
In the mid 1990"s Sue launched herown company, Resolutions-inc. withher target customer to be forward
thinking and looking for a strategicand efficient marketing partner. Sue
has raised two children while in
Gresham and at the same timeanswered her calling to volunteer
with PTA's and soccer. In 2007 Sue
Issue #3

No one person can do what we do, ittakes a network and we hope you enjoy
seeing and understanding what it takes"Behind the Scenes" to make it happen.

started a soccer program for special
needs players and still runs theTOPSoccer program through Gresham's
local soccer club, Eastside Timbers. In
her "spare time" Sue serves on theGresham Chamber of Commerce Board
as well as Eastco Diversified Services.
It's an honor and a privilege to have Sue"behind the scenes" Thanks to Paul WarrKing

NEXT MONTH:
IT'S ALL ABOUT LAWNS
questions or comments:
gresham.japanese.garden @gmail.com

Over the past 4 years we have taken on
dozens of projects with most being
completed or underway.
Take a look around the garden, shoebox,or the storage yard at Main City Park andrealize that there are dozens ofvolunteers engaged, donors
participating, and our Cities unwavering
support for our programs. We areclosing in on 10,000 volunteer hours.
We have not hit our 5th year yet!
Our newsletter audience includes
volunteers from all three of our GESCA
divisions; the Garden, Skosh, and theStudent Exchange Program. I will
announce projects in the newsletters tooffer the volunteers and those invested
in the Garden information so as to findsomething that they would be interested
in or donating to as it relates to Tsuru
Island.
Each of the projects will have a project
leader/coordinators. The greenhouseinstallation coordinator is Karl Davis. Thepavilion machining and construction
project coordinator is Kent Thompson.
No one does these projects alone, wehave excellent support for graphic layout
with drawings, pictures for the projects
progress, construction, woodworking,stone work, soil preparation, irrigation,
natural resources and composting, justto mention a few skill sets.
February 2016 edition

I am pruning thisbecause:
During my years owning alandscape company, most people
wanted to prune because theplants were getting out of control
or it does not look good andneeds to be cleaned up. The
customer seemed to be satisfied
for the shrub to be sheared,
which is in most cases the worst
thing you can do. There are
exceptions to this statement.
There are specific processes
originating in the Asian countries
for shearing. Those plants havebeen specifically propagated forthis process.

Now the fun starts; the selection

distribution is apparent. Youof the branches to remove. As

will also find yourself spending

your experience of the ACTmore time with the plant

progresses an understanding ofmaterial regardless if it is a tree, athe energy of the plant will

shrub or something special

become more apparent. If thebecause it is becoming your own

plant is totally out of control andpiece of art.

it has not been pruned for 3 ormore years, the effects of thebeen learning patience too, don't

pruning will become a mass
production of new growth.

It isa natural response and should beexpected in the next growth cycle.
Depending on the size, location,
age and type of plant it isadvisable to take a step by step
process to the plant. Take theneed to understand the plant andneeds to be observed to see what

it’s natural behavior. How does it

the ENERGY of the plant is

respond to the pruning? Pruning

doing. In years 2 and 3 thefalls into one of three categories.

original old growth will begin to1) the ACT of pruning; 2) thegrow and the new growth will

Craft of pruning; and 3) the ART

appear.
Once a person begins to feel

The basics of the pruning process

confident with the process andare to observe what the plantthe results, there can be a natural

wants to do and which side is theadvancement to the CRAFT offront of the plant. If the style ofpruning. Viewing the plant fromthe plant is not what you wantdifferent angles and ponderingfacing forward, a replacement

which branch to remove andmay be in order. The firstwhat to leave. The fear of doingpriority is to remove any broken

things right goes away.

will eventually cause some typeof damage to the other branches.
Unless the branches are broken
they may be dry because the sunis not getting to the center and/orto the opposite side of the plant.
This would indicate that theplant needs to be thinned out.
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It is not going anywhere,
envision the tree without it. Try
to look a year ahead and further
if you can. Remember that Tom
said; some outcomes are
predictable.

plant over 3 years or so. Afterthe plant has been pruned it

and/or crossing branches thatbe in a hurry to cut that branch.

branches out evenly around theBefore pruning the plant youof pruning.

All this while you should haveWith the ART of pruning, theterm "aesthetic pruning" beginsto take focus. One can begin to
see the results of the process
before the pruning is totallycomplete. The vision andSTUDENT WORK DAYSFebruary 26 - 11am to 3pm
April 1 - 11am to 3 pm
May 13 - 11am to 3pm

A lunch will be provided for the students andstaff on these dates to provide as muchvolunteer time as possible
Would you like to contribute to the KAZ Kids
Lunch program?
Donations can be designated to "Kaz Kids" andgiven to Jim, Tomiko, Ron or Wendyor mailed to: GESCA

understanding of what the plant

PO Box 1652

wants to do and it’s energy

Gresham, OR 97030
February 2016 edition

PROJECT LIST



Issue #3

A new chain-link fabric for the fencing around the shoebox.
o the existing hardware will be used and painted blacko the areas can be upgraded in stages on different dayso the equipment is available
o if anyone knows a fence installer that will be appreciatedReplacing the lawn for the emergency path in-front of the shoebox.
o The seed and soil provided
o Needed are prep labor and a commitment to keep watch over the lawn during the HOTmonths. Also to provide nutrients so that it will flourish.
Design and build a sign board that will display the schedules for educational events and classes thatwill take place at the Garden and/or in the shoebox. Materials and equipment are available.
Install an additional irrigation main line from the horseshoe area leading up to the shoebox. (planningin progress for more than a year)
o The Dingo with a trencher is available.
o The pipe and glue for the installation are available.
o A team leader is needed. The knowledge needed is available to get the project started andongoing.
Winter green has been installed in the general vicinity of the "Turtle" on Tsuru Island. There are 5 left.
o Many more are needed for this area and will need to be purchased and installed so that thearea is filled in.
A generous donation to purchase materials to produce "Tsuru Island" banners to put on light poles
between Main/Powell and Tsuru Island.
o Materials have been purchased and sown and are currently at the screen printers.
o Adoption of this project would require coordinating the installation of the banners andinstallation of brackets that are provided by Parks and Recreation. This is a one day project.
A project that I have started with Sue Hughes for the website has to do with plant material
identification for Tsuru Island.
o It will require taking pictures of areas in the gardeno then of individual plants in that area that can be focused on through the website.
o Pictures of the areas and plants need to be taken in proper light conditions and be passed toJim for organization and labeling

February 2016 edition