Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Media creation tools

We live in a time like no other when it comes to democratizing media creation tools.  I have compiled a list of links for you to explore.

Video editing
http://www.lightworksbeta.com/

Photo editing
http://paint.net/

Online photo editing (cloud, no download)
http://pixlr.com/editor/

3-D modeling
http://sketchup.google.com/

3-D animation
http://www.blender.org/

Vector graphics
http://inkscape.org/


Craig de Pfyffer, ISA, ASLA Associate
Environmental Designs
P.O. Box 247
Laguna Beach, CA. 92652
Tel:      (800) 811-3010
Fax:     (800) 811-3014
Mobile: (949) 288-3010
http://www.environmentaldesignslandscape.com/
http://about.me/environmentaldesigns/bio

Posted via email from Craig's posterous

Friday, March 4, 2011

Pinus Canariensis,Canary Island Pine Tree

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January 2, 2010

Canary Island Pine Tree Inspection

Job site:

Residence

Bluebird Canyon

Laguna Beach, CA. 92651

Owner:

On December 18th, Mr. Larry contacted me regarding two Canary Island Pine trees (Pinus canariensis) with a concern about the gardener trimming the trees. On December 30th, I examined the two Pine trees.

Overview

The two canary Island Pine trees are located in the front yard in planters located on the property line next to the AC driveway. The trees are in good health with no observable defects and no pests.

Site observations

Tree #1

Canary Island Pine, 6” DBH, 20’H x 12’ W. Good branch structure with some minor branch tip pruning on the lower branches. Some minor accumulation of dead needles in the branches. Good root flare with the possibility of girdling roots.

Tree #2

Canary Island Pine, 6” DBH, 25’H x 12’ W. Good branch structure with some minor branch tip pruning on the lower branches. Some minor accumulation of dead needles in the branches. Good root flare with the possibility of girdling roots.

Action taken

· None.

Recommendations

Tree #1

· Prune to raise. Raise 8’ above the driveway by removing branches 5 feet and lower using an appropriate pruning cut and by removing downward-growing branches 2 inches in diameter and smaller. Clean dead pine needles in tree. Never top the tree.

Tree #2

· Prune to raise. Raise 8’ above the driveway by removing branches 5 feet and lower using an appropriate pruning cut and by removing downward-growing branches 2 inches in diameter and smaller. Clean dead pine needles in tree. Never top the tree.

All work shall be performed in accordance with the ANSI A300 pruning

standard and the ANSI Z133.1 safety standard.

Site map

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Not to scale

Description

Pinus canariensis

CANARY ISLAND PINE

Pinaceae. Sunset zones 8, 9, 12-24. Evergreen. Native to the Canary Islands. Growth rate moderate to 50-80’ tall and 20-35’ wide, pyramidal in form and gradually taking on a tiered, horizontal branching effect. Needles are dark green, sheathed in 3s, 9-12” long, persisting 3-4 years, with bluish green juve­nile growth occurring sporadically beneath mature foliage from exposed portions of the trunk or from the base, often as unwanted suckering. When lower branches are trimmed off, more are produced. Insignificant purplish male flowers occur in dense clustered spikes, turning yellow with pollen, with 1/2” reddish brown females at branch ends, in early June. Cones are glossy brown, oblong-ovoid, 4-8” long, with scales having a dull pointed tip. Seeds are 1/4” with a 3/4” long wing, ma­turing in summer of the first season. Twigs are orange-brown, usually covered with thin, papery scales. Bark is dark reddish to grayish brown, irregularly fissured, with broad scaly ridges.

An attractive, soft-textured pine, commonly used as a lawn or Street tree or as an evergreen screen with upright habit that does not usually interfere with other trees growing in close proximity. Young trees may appear somewhat gawky until branching pattern becomes fully established. Drought toler­ant when established, but prefers deep watering for the first few years. Longevity estimated to be 250-350 years. [1]

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Photo #1

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Photo #2

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Photo #3

Summary / Conclusion
Thank you for calling on my services with your questions regarding your Canary Island Pine trees. The trees are in good health with no observable defects and no pests. Prune to raise the canopy for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. I recommend hiring a licensed arborist to perform the pruning in the future.

If you have any questions concerning this report or if I can be of further service to you, please call me at any time.

Craig de Pfyffer ASLA, ISA Certified Arborist

Certified Arborist

Certificate # WE-6533A

Expiration Date: 6-30-2010

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Disclaimer

Although all the recommendations in this report are based on sound and accepted horticultural practices, the author cannot be held responsible for the final outcome of the recommendations, or any liabilities associated with this project. Tree inspections, in this case, do not cover internal cavities, structural defects, or diseases with non-visible symptoms.


[1] Trees of the California Landscape, Charles R. Hatch