Trees in Japanese Gardens

Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, Illinois is fortunate to have a variety of trees, some of which are not found in traditional Japanese gardens, but

are native to the Midwest. The gardeners tried to use some Japanese Black Pines imported from Japan in this garden, but they did not do well here and had to be replaced. Probably due to soil conditions as well as climate.

Scotch Pines are native to the USA and are great trees for Japanese gardens. They can be "cloud trimmed" to make the branches appear to float like clouds. This is especially  noticeable in winter when the snows on the branches do look like white clouds. The Scotch Pines are trimmed of branches to open them up and then the branches are tied down so that they are remain horizontal for a number of years.

This leaning evergreen is an Austrian Pine, the only one in the garden. It is about a 100 years old and was transplanted to the garden from John Anderson's, the original owner of the garden, yard when he lived on a hill above the garden. It was planted leaning out over the pond. Some trees in the garden are planted so they lean. Leaning trees (or rocks) imply motion. They direct visitors in the direction of the path they should travel. 

This is a Japanese Kousa Dogwood native to Asia and used in the garden. It has pointed flower blossoms which appear in late Spring, which differ from the American Dogwood blossom which is round.. The fruit is a red berry, that is edible. 

One of the  limbs from a large tree in the garden began to get lower and lower and looked like it might fall. Fearing it might fall on a visitor the gardeners had to do something. The gardeners wanted to save it and asked Hoichi Kirusu, the Japanese master gardener, for help. He found a long piece of wood at the lumber yard and used it as a crutch under the tree. A cement foundation was poured beneath it so it wont sink any further. He tied it in a special way and it now has become part of the tree. 

                Katsura Tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) 

It is a hardwood tree native to China and Japan. It is grown as an ornamental tree and has delicate heart-shaped leaves. In the autumn it produces a scent resembling cotton candy. Very pleasant as you walk by. 

    This Weeping Willow tree has grown from a half inch in diameter at planting to the present large shade tree. Some visitors complain the willow interferes with the view. But it gives the garden a sense of mystery as to what lies beyond. Japanese gardens do not reveal everything at once, but

like to surprise you at every turn along the path. Things are hidden in unexpected places. 

This Chinese scholar was purchased by Hoichi for Anderson Gardens (dating to 1400 AD), perhaps to help us learn why we visit the garden.


A scholar from an earlier period wrote this about his garden:
“I have a country house where there is a spring of pure water, a woods, fruit trees, bamboo, cypress trees and many plants. There is a fish pond, everything to distract the eyes and please the heart.… With my literary friends, we take walks day and night, climb a mountain to view the scenery, and sit by the side of the stream.”