Redesign my bench over winter need some suggestions

[remist17]

I am thinking about redesigning my benches this winter and would like some help. I live on a side of a hill and the property faces south. The issues is most of the yard gets direct sun from sun up to sun down. So I created a bench setup off to the side in the woods. Part of the bench gets sun from 12 to sun down. The other part gets filter sun and no direct light.

My maples are in the filtered sun light while my elms and junipers are in the full light. My concern is if I should move the table out to complete sun and put some sort of shade cloth over the maples and hornbeams. I really do not think the trees in filtered sun is getting enough sun which is leading to the pots being wet longer.

Suggestions?

 

[Poink88]

Can you do a sketch and post?

If I understand you correctly, I'll definitely go the filter cloth route if it is mine. At least you can control most of the variables and have more freedom choosing the best spot...i.e. full morning exposure and shaded more in the afternoon.

Good luck!

 

[Dav4]

In a perfect scenario, Japanese maples would get full morning sun, followed by filtered sunlight during the hottest part of the day, afternoon. Fwiw, Japanese maple can do quite well with a fair amount of direct sunlight...mine get 3-4 hours of midday sun here in north GA and have no issues at all. I suspect your maples would do fine getting at least a few hours of direct afternoon sun, and would probably grow more vigorously. I would suggest coming up with a plan where they get some direct sunlight, and again, morning would be best, but afternoon would be ok, too...if they start getting a bit crispy (and assuming it's not wind related), you can always move them into the filtered shade during the hottest part of the summer.

 

[remist17]

I am limited to this area (my wifes mandate) so I need to trim the standing trees to allow more light in. What shade cloth do you recomend 40/ 50 or 60 %? Any examples of running shade cloth over benches?

I will post some photos tomorrow.

Here is a hand sketch

 

[fore]

Remist, my JM's love full sun also from noonish to sunset. No leaf burn at all. Move them slowly to full sun and see how they go. Then if needed, you can add shade cloth.

 

[GrimLore]

I am limited to this area (my wifes mandate)

I cannot wrap my head around that But honest Shade cloth is cheap and can be experimented with and moved as needed. Stands are whatever you/her agree will look ok. The things I myself are more concerned with are wind protection, the water source, and rain. The Sun will be there no matter, the wind and rain however are a greater concern to me.

 

[remist17]

Wind is no issue. The house property sits in the valley of two large hills. We seldom get winds more then a light breeze. Rain I hope I have covered. The pots are tipped and changed to the soil that we discussed. (Grimlore)

 

[GrimLore]

Good then! Show me a photo or two of that existing area - I am positive it can be made regal no matter the size at a real inexpensive line of thought. I would honest like to be there to draw and show what I think but we can work it out on here or the phone. It is a decent space and much can be done with it

 

[remist17]

Sorry all for the delay. I had to replace my well pump on Friday and recovered on Saturday. 400 foot well who would have thought it would have 375ft of pipe!!

Here are two photos of my current bench set up. The photos was taken at 430pm. Left side are the maples and hornbeams. Middle are the privits, cherry, elms. Right hand side more elms and junipers.

The back side is the property line. To the right is a large ditch that runs with spring water to a spring box. Left of the photos are my chicken coup. I can extend the center bench and right bench another 10 feet each if needed. But as the photos show 330 there some sections getting shade. Forgot to metion I live on a side of a hill. So no ground is level.... One reason why the benches look crooked.
IF you need other photos to help me out, let me know.

I forgot to take one further back showing the two trees. I already chopped them to about 15 feet tall (oak and red maple) This opened up the light you see now. I would like to keep the oak, the maple could go.

 

[Poink88]

Maybe extend the middle and right benches then and move the maples at the end of the right bench. This way, they get morning sun but shaded in the afternoon.

OR

Put an L type extension to the right bench only...same reasoning, morning sun but shaded afternoon.

You know best, I am just making recommendation based on the pics and your sketch.

 

[GrimLore]

I would extend them just because I could honest. I would however suggest that where you want shade not to have it where the plants are under those large trees unless there is perhaps something between the canopy of the larger trees and your trees on stands underneath them. I would suggest a 30 percent shade cloth about 7 - 7 1/2 foot above ground level.

This may sound silly but I had to reinvent here and will do it that way this Spring at the new place. Trees hanging over your specimens not only drop foliage and branches, they also drop Caterpillars and bird Droppings which the shade cloth will help with greatly.

Also seeing you will then have taller uprights or posts you have the option of adding an inexpensive misting system, perhaps even with an electronic timer...

Just my 2 cents, but it could be a nice project in two stages.

 

[fourteener]

I there any way to get two tiers and double your space.

 

[remist17]

Thanks everyone.

Believe it or not there are two tiers currently on the benches all the way around.

Good thought on the cloth and the leaves, bugs. I have found that to be a issue currently and was thinking the same. Do you think if I chop the large trees down shorter, extend the tables out more and then put the shade cloth up is the universal agreement?

Again I will post photo of the front looking in tomorrow.

 

[GrimLore]

Which tall trees? If you mean the landscape trees I see no reason. If you mean the potted trees I see no reason... I am a bit confused sir

 

[Poink88]

Which tall trees? If you mean the landscape trees I see no reason. If you mean the potted trees I see no reason... I am a bit confused sir

I am guessing the front right tree in his sketch.

Remist, We also need to know which is the maple and which is oak. You mentioned it but not identified in the sketch. We are (or at least I am) lost.

 

[remist17]

Sorry everyone....
attached is the front photo I promised. It shows the large red maple on the right which is current cut to 15 feet. Oak is show on right around 18 ft tall.
Chicken coop is shown on left side of photo.

I am thinking about extending the right and center bench another 8 feet each. Then put some 4x4 in the ground to make the ceiling of shade cloth. One post at each end of the two tables run some 2x4 across and then run wire or line from one end to the other to support the cloth??? thoughts>?

Really looks like the right bench is on a slope. Its not. Perhaps the photo angle.... Sorry for the mess. I had supplies out for the chicken run and snapped the photos with all the garbage laying around. Im embarrassed to see the mess....

 

[GrimLore]

Once you have a plan to fasten the shade cloth you might consider 2x2's or perhaps pvc pipe for center supports - both are inexpensive. Also lathe board depending on the size of the shade roof. For cattle they stretch it normally over solid framework but you won't find that needed. You might also check into different fasteners they use for wind sail type patio covers some are elastic simple tug and tuck for tension. The plus side of the shade cloth is that it is a porous fabric so when it is stretched it won't hold rain and stretch, likewise with wind.

Depending on the health of the Oak and Maple if it was me I would let them grow but perhaps I would take off 2 foot or so of the lower branches. In a few years they could form a nice canopy/arbor entrance to your new area The reason I mention health is I was at the home inspection at the house we are buying and noticed one ofe the fruit tress has scale and will require I call someone in to chop it and treat it proper as I don't want to spread it. Seeing that you have Oak and Maple I doubt you will have that problem with them in this area.

Grimmy

 

[remist17]

Here are three hand sketches of what Im thinking.
#1 is a flat top with shade cloth on top and a small section on the front.

#2 is a slanted top with shade cloth only on top.

#3 and my least favorite. Two panels standing up to block the hard afternoon sun

My concern is trying to block the hot sun rays that do not come directly down. The higher the top is off the trees the more of the side angle rays can come in. Thats why I am thinking about putting the front cover in #1.

 

[GrimLore]

Maybe consider putting in the posts and top cover. Leave the two trees to grow a natural archway. Frame 2 4x8' lattice panels to place in front of the trees to form what would look nice and break up the sun. An option on those two panels if they are posted in is that you could put a simple box planter in front of both and grow Wisteria or Ivy up them to further block that sun. I do suspect the lattice alone would work meantime...

My wheels are spinning - would like to get my hands on that are honest

 

[remist17]

good call on the lattuce. Never thought of that. I am not sure if I am going to anchor the posts in the ground or just screw them to the benches. It doesnt get that windy there but there is always a chance. I could dig down a little and concrete them in. That would save the back but give a good anchor point.
I think I am going with #1 drawing. Extend the benches another 6 feet each and then put some stone down. I think that would look nice and give plenty of sun.

Any good places to order 30 to 40% shade cloth. I usually order from Gembler's/