Successful Trees for Difficult Landscapes

Every garden has its hard spots. The strip by the driveway that bakes all afternoon. The corner that stays soggy after a rain. The dry shade under a redwood where nothing seems to take. Choosing the right tree for a place like that and getting it established is the difference between one that struggles for years and one that thrives for decades.

Palo Alto arborist Kevin Raftery has spent his career helping trees succeed in the toughest local conditions. In this class he’ll cover how to match a tree to a difficult site, from heavy clay and drought to deep shade and tight urban lots, and how to plant and care for it so it takes hold. You’ll leave with practical, region-specific guidance you can put to work in your own yard.

Instructor Bio

Kevin Raftery owns his own business, Kevin Raftery Horticultural Services, based in Palo Alto. He has taught in the horticulture department at Foothill College for many years, in addition to teaching classes at Common Ground, UC Cooperative Extension, and Gamble Garden. He studied horticulture and urban ecosystems at Pierce College, Antioch University, and UC Berkeley. Kevin is one of the founders and a former board member of Canopy: Trees for Palo Alto. He has also served on the boards of The Trust for Hidden Villa and Ecology Action, as well as the advisory committee at Gamble Garden.