12 | June 14, 2018 | Malibu surfside news news malibusurfsidenews.com Equestrian enlightenment Participants brush up on vaulting at Trancas Riders and Ropers clinic Madeline Lampard (right) instructs rider Teddi Steers, 7, on the basic seat vaulting position. ABOVE: Avrie Pierce, 8, tries out the flag pose during a June 3 vaulting clinic at Malibu Equestrian Park. Photos by Christina Zimmerman/22nd Century Media Alice Oswald, 9, practices at the June 3 Trancas Riders and Ropers clinic in Malibu. LEFT: Emily Walker practices a vaulting pose at the Trancas Riders and Ropers clinic. Malibu Glass & Mirror 310.456.1844 Come visit our showroom Windows and Doors Showers and MIrrors Railings and Skylights Screens and Glass Repair Additional Services www.malibuglass.com fax: 310.456.2594 3547 Winter Canyon, Malibu CA 90265 Licensed Contractor #396181 Phoenix Geisler, 4, claims a ringside seat during the recent clinic.
malibusurfsidenews.com sound off Malibu surfside news | June 14, 2018 | 13 Don’t Panic, It’s Organic How to properly care for oak trees Andy Lopez Contributing Columnist Invisible Gardener When was the last time you took a beautiful, long country drive? Did you notice oak trees on top of a nearby mountain and wonder who waters and fertilizes them? I have a worker who insists trees do not need water. That is incorrect. They need water just like all other living beings need water, but too much water is bad for all of us. Many trees have developed over the millions of years, each in accordance with where they live. There are hundreds (600 actually) of oak species (Quercus is the oak tree genus). Some oaks are deciduous, while others are evergreen. Our California oaks have adapted to a Mediterranean climate, but eastern oaks, such as the white oak, grow in a wide range of climates. Oak trees have both a deep central root system (not a taproot) and a branching roots system within the top two feet of soil which extends at least 10 feet past the trees’ drip line. You can tell the basic root system structure by looking at the oak trees’ branches. The root system mimics the top branches! Most trees do not have taproots after their initial growth stage. Instead, they make water-seeking lateral and feeder roots. If the tree is growing in deep, welldrained soil, these trees develop deep roots surrounding the trunk. Oak trees do not have deep taproots but have massive lateral and feeder roots. These roots should be well below the water table. If the same oak is growing in bad soil or in conditions similar to what we have in Malibu (hardly any real soil, depending on the area), then these roots will be above the water table, and the tree is dependent on other water and nutritional sources. Many local oaks rely on the coastal fogs and/or local streams for water. Many folks think the oak trees’ roots system stays under the tree’s leaf canopy. Trees in a forest have roots that reach beyond their branches and leaves in search of water and nutrients. Tree roots can grow a long ways laterally, depending on the soil. The tree is seeking sources of mycelium which will provide the tree with its nutritional requirements. The mycelium provides nutrition to the trees, even if a tree is not in an area where it can get nutrition. The same happens when a tree is being attacked by a pest or disease. The mycelium warns the other trees to protect themselves. Usually, one can determine root damage by observing the damage to branches on that same side of the tree. The same holds true for watering only one side of a tree — that side will get water to the roots while the roots on the other side will become damaged. However, if mycelium is present in the soil, it also means the soil is alive and is not getting overwatered. Too much water makes the soil waterlogged and kills the mycelium. The “feeder” roots are in the top 12 inches of soil and supply a tree with most of its food and some of its water. An oak tree is droughttolerant if it is over 3 or 4 years old, and it should only be watered once a month during the dry season and not watered at all if it rains. The trick is to set up a drip system or subsurface irrigation system. Give the oaks a good, deep watering once a month. The length of time depends on the type of soil. Many folks like to plant under the canopy of an oak tree, but it is harmful to the tree, especially if it’s a California-native oak. Many fungal pathogens cause the various forms of root rot, such as those in the Armillaria and Phytophthora genera, that are dormant in dry soil and only become active when the soil is warm and wet. There is basically no cure for these diseases. Therefore, it is better to practice prevention. Tree diseases start in the soil. If you use chemical fertilizers, that also will kill the mycelium as well as all beneficial microbes. That is one reason why oak leaves are so important to the health of the oak. Any questions? Email me at andylopez@invisiblegardener. com. New Mom in Malibu Out and about with your ‘Bu baby jessica DiPaola Malibu resident Just steps away from the sand, in the middle of endless lush hiking trails, and among a tightknit community, the charm in Malibu is endless. Here in Malibu, the simple beach life is at its best. With an energetic toddler (and as a mom who’s a city girl at heart), it can feel like there’s not a lot of variety without an unpredictable ride down Pacific Coast Highway or a neverending journey to the LA Zoo and museums. When we need a changeup or are planning a playdate, I refer to my list of favorite things to do in and around Malibu. A few require driving through the canyon and, in my honest opinion, it’s worth giving it a try! The DiPaola’s favorite destinations: • The playground at Malibu Country Mart (3835 Cross Creek Road) has sand boxes, slides, play structures, swings for both big children and little ones, and great food options for the whole family. It’s a fun place to meet parents and kiddos from both in and outside of Malibu, and dine under umbrellas while the children play in arm’s reach. Also, check out the Jessica DiPaola’s son, Wes, explores Play Destination in Agoura Hills. Photo Submitted fish tanks outside Habana Café; it’s like a mini aquarium for the babies. • Trancas Canyon Park (6050 Trancas Canyon Road, Malibu) is a beautiful new playground with soft cork, padded floors, making it perfect for new walkers. The little ones can enjoy slides and structures galore, with a Western theme and an open grassy field next to it. Our son learned to walk on that very field! • Malibu Wines Safari (32111 Mulholland Highway) does not allow babies on the tour, so we spent our visit in the parking lot, and our son was more than content. From the lot, you see zebras, a camel, a horse and a buffalo. Our toddler isn’t a fan of sitting still and loved that he could walk and see everything at his own pace. • Malibu Pier (23000 PCH) is sure to please. We took a friend to the Malibu Farm for her 2nd birthday. Restaurants with toddlers is a challenge, so while the meal was just fine, the highlight for these cuties was the coin-operated boat ride outside the restaurant. Who needs Disneyland when this is minutes away? After riding a dozen times, we hopped into the gift shop, where our toddlers went nuts in the small children’s section of the shop. • The beach. We can’t go anywhere without being reminded that we live right next to it and the beach is great for playdates as well as mommy and baby time. Whether you know someone with the sacred beach key, or you hit up Zuma, the beach offers endless fun. Stop by CVS, Pavilions or Vintage Grocers for a sand bucket, toys and baby SPF for play time in one of the best settings Please see NEW MOM, 15
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