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Japanese garden burned wood pond edging

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Posted by etehiver 4a Minnesota (My Page) on
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 12:25

I've seen some interesting pond edging at the Como Ordway Japanese Garden near my home in St. Paul, Minnesota. It's apparently made from wood, then burned to darken it. Can anyone provide insight as to how this is done, what kind of wood might have been used, and would it speed up the wood decaying process, etc.

Since it's a Japanese garden, I'm curious as to what the burned wooden edging represents.

Here is a link that might be useful: Burned wood edging photo

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RE: Japanese garden burned wood pond edging

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I do volunteer work at Hakone Japanese Gardens in Saratoga, California. Here is my layman's understanding.

The wood here is blackened with a propane gas tank attached to a weed burner hose and tool.

Black serves two purposes I believe. Black represents invisibility, it's not there in your perception. Secondly,
burning deters insect attack since it becomes mostly carbon and not appealing to insects.

Any other thoughts from other?

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RE: Japanese garden burned wood pond edging

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  • Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
    Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 14:18

I agree, the burning is done with a torch. Being dark, it blends in better and looks aged.
Personally, I think rocks would do a better job in showing the waterline. Not lined up in a row, of course. Wood looks artificial and is not long lasting no matter how well it's treated with chemicals, and or, burned.
Who wants life inhibiting chemicals in their pond?

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RE: Japanese garden burned wood pond edging

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What a great idea! Can be driven like sheathing, looks like bamboo, and the char probably adds considerable life to the poles. The char may also have a positive affect on water quality. A liner could be attached to it at a specific depth to assure a minimum pond depth in drought. The proximity of each log would keep surface debris out while still allowing drainage in and out of the pond. I have just the spot for this....

  
 

 

 


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