New wall for Ash
Posted: June 16th, 2020, 3:38 pm
A few years ago I posted about this Desert Ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) that I planted in a stone wall that I built. The idea was to convey the old farmhouse ruins we have in the hills that have been taken over by local trees, either native or feral. My wife grew up in Strathalbyn on a farm and the area is full of ruins made from the local sandstone, the colours of which have always made an impression on me.
I liked the result but I built the wall before I had chosen a tree, and although the Ash I eventually chose worked well it was moving in the wrong direction so when it was put together the wall was taller in the front than the back. I always thought I should build another wall that was better for this tree, so here we go.
As before I created a frame with split bamboo and wire, then built up the wall with liquid nails and gravel from the driveway. I kept the same dimensions and if the bamboo eventually rots away the wall will be strong enough without the base.
I then made a mixture of mortar and water, then added some oxide colouring I picked up that matched the colours of the local sandstone. It was then plastered all over the stones, then washed off the outside of the wall. The inside was brushed over with a toothbrush and the whole thing was left to dry.
Next step will be to leave it for a week or two then go over the whole structure with a brush to remove any loose bits. It should be ready for the next repot in late July.
Hopefully it all comes together. I'm happier with both the structure and colour of the new wall, it matches the image of ruins in my head much better.
Matt.
I liked the result but I built the wall before I had chosen a tree, and although the Ash I eventually chose worked well it was moving in the wrong direction so when it was put together the wall was taller in the front than the back. I always thought I should build another wall that was better for this tree, so here we go.
As before I created a frame with split bamboo and wire, then built up the wall with liquid nails and gravel from the driveway. I kept the same dimensions and if the bamboo eventually rots away the wall will be strong enough without the base.
I then made a mixture of mortar and water, then added some oxide colouring I picked up that matched the colours of the local sandstone. It was then plastered all over the stones, then washed off the outside of the wall. The inside was brushed over with a toothbrush and the whole thing was left to dry.
Next step will be to leave it for a week or two then go over the whole structure with a brush to remove any loose bits. It should be ready for the next repot in late July.
Hopefully it all comes together. I'm happier with both the structure and colour of the new wall, it matches the image of ruins in my head much better.
Matt.
