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Sometimes the most unlikely plants survive Nature’s challenges. Look at a live oak with huge limbs extending wide, each one weighing more than your truck. Battered from every direction, it still stands. Consider longleaf pine, the lone survivor when others of its species topple right over in winds of hurricane strength. A plant’s root system affects its resilience.

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Fibrous or Tap Roots
Every rooted plant falls into one of two categories: those with one main root called a “tap,” or those with a root system that is spread out, consisting of many smaller fibrous roots. Even tap-rooted trees such as pines and cedars have some lateral roots, of course, but the root zone area is always deeper than it is wide. Fibrous-rooted trees have some major artery roots, with many smaller roots branching out from them. Each type of root system has its advantages, mostly the result of evolution to survive in the native environment. In the garden, knowing the type and extent of your plants’ roots can guide you in nurturing these all-important anchors.

Proper Fertilizing
The root zone of an oak, which has fibrous roots, extends out at least to the drip line of the tree — the point where rainwater drips off the edges of the branches onto the ground. That is where the most active roots are growing, the place to apply fertilizer in the traditional “drill and fill” method that puts granular fertilizer into holes made with an auger. Tap-rooted trees, by contrast, benefit from fertilizer placed closer to their trunks and deeper in the ground.

Treating Compaction
Roots of established trees get compacted over time. When this happens, roots die because the soil packs too tight around them, oxygen in the soil is depleted, and trees suffer. Compaction is usually the result of pressure exerted from above, such as foot traffic and parked cars. Some occurs naturally, however, as clay soils age. You should certainly park the car somewhere else, and you can usually redirect foot traffic, but root aeration may be a wise choice for older trees, even those with exposed roots. This kind of aeration is different from lawn aeration. Professionals that offer this service may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking.

Helping Trees Straighten Up
When your best efforts still result in trees bent by the wind, do not rush to pull them back up because they may rebound. But if a tree has not recovered in a few days, take action. If the roots are exposed, gently replant them, even if you must prune the tree or shrub to return it to an upright posture. Plants without exposed roots that can be gently brought back up should be straightened, by a few inches a day. Sometimes all it takes is stepping on the soil opposite the leaning side and pulling the tree back up.

Larger trees and those more bent over will need to have a soft support looped around their trunk. Install a pipe or other strong support several feet away from the trunk, pull the looped rope towards vertical support, and secure it to the pipe. Every few days, pull it closer to upright. Be aware, though, that sometimes all your efforts are in vain once the next storm arrives!

Located on approximately the same latitude (46ºN) as some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Washington State wine “Touring” country includes 9 federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s), commonly known as appellations; three of them share territory with Oregon State. Climates of individual Washington wine regions differ dramatically, being cross cut north to south by the Cascade Mountains.

A variety of climates and soils combine with the long summer sunlight hours of northern latitudes to create prime growing regions, predominantly in the valleys and on the hillsides of areas east of the Cascade Mountain range. Washington wineries benefit from grapes ripening in these areas which experience about two more hours of summer sunlight each day than in California wine regions. Gradually cooling autumn temperatures in Washington also help wine grapes reach full maturity, while maintaining desirable acid levels.

Vineyards on the east side of the Cascades grow 99% of Washington’s wine grapes. Seven of the state’s eight official AVA/appellations are located here — the macro appellation of the Columbia Valley encompasses the smaller Yakima Valley AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope and Rattlesnake Hills (Washington State’s newest appellation). The Columbia Gorge AVA begins at the western edge of the Columbia Valley AVA and continues west and south to areas along the Columbia River in both Oregon and Washington. Two other emerging regions benefit from the huge rain shadow created by the Cascade Mountains, the North-Central Washington region (often referred to as the Columbia Cascade region) and the Lake Chelan area (AVA application in process).

All totaled, Washington wine regions produce more wine grapes than any other state in the U.S., except California. Wine grapes are now the fourth most important fruit crop in Washington State behind apples, cherries and pears. The following wines are in limited distribution. Look for them when in Washington state.

Spring Barrel tasting is your chance to get a jump on tasting and purchasing some of the best wines in wine country. A visit to the Valley on this weekend will allow you to sample yet-unfinished wines from the barrel.

Barrel tasting allows tasters a sneak preview of upcoming vintages from their favorite wineries. This special weekend in the Yakima Valley features winemakers and cellar staff who are on hand to share insights and answer questions on the winemaking process. Many of the 50 participating wineries make special efforts to enhance the wine tasting experience by adding delicious cheeses, sauces, salsas, and even desserts to the mix along with special tastings and education.

As the oldest wine region, or appellation, in Washington State, Yakima Valley has many small wine towns whose residents enjoy sharing a rural lifestyle with visitors. The region produces a wide array of wine varietals grown in vineyards that range from the Yakima Valley to hillside plantings. The three-day barrel tasting allows visitors and locals to leisurely visit the numerous wineries that have made the Yakima Valley region one of the most interesting and prestigious viticultural regions in the country