Towers 101
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With the amount of ornamentation available in today's marketplace, combined with an endless array of stain and paint colors, your Botanical Tower® should have no problem reflecting your personal sense of style and taste.
A display of three lanterns, especially in the winter, is quite nice, but the occasional collection of seasonal décor, or regional style, is a great way to mix it up. And what about location?
Well, along an entry path is ideal, but aside a patio or waterscape is also quite attractive, and not uncommon.
We are even working on something we call the "urban stand", as we have had several requests from individuals wanting to place their Botanical Tower® in a sunroom or on an elevated patio.
Quality
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Botanical Towers® are hand crafted from aromatic Eastern Red Cedar. New in 2010, we introduced cast iron brackets to all of our designs, as cast iron has always been an integral part of garden décor and design. We designed the brackets to create a strong, as well as an aesthetically pleasing, separation between the horizontal and vertical surfaces.
As an added bonus, they also contribute to a straightforward and hassle-free assembly.
Additionally, each Botanical Tower® receives a black plated brass coin accent proudly depicting our logo. This final detail is our signature, and further exemplifies our commitment to quality and artistic expression. Cedar is a natural choice because of its beauty, practicality, and durability. Your Botanical Tower® should last for generations, as it is naturally resistant to decay, insect damage, and weather damage. Because of its superior resistance, cedar is frequently used for outdoor fencing and siding on homes and is recognized as the preferred building material for pergolas, arbors, outdoor furniture and the like. It can also be painted or stained or left to age naturally.
Cedar has an exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio, which means that it is both durable, and easy to move about. It also does not shrink or warp as many other woods commonly do.
And unlike pressure treated lumber, your Botanical Tower® contains no chemical preservatives that may be harmful to your family's health.
Conservation
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Botanical Towers® are constructed of aromatic Eastern Red Cedar that is obtained through a local lumber mill, Eco Friendly Lumber, here in Catharpin, Virginia. All of the cedar trees at the mill are sourced from clearings at local construction sites. Additionally, the round columns found on several of our structures are hand turned by Red Oak Hollow Lathe Works, in the nearby town of Purcellville, Virginia.
Our brackets, which were introduced in 2010, are manufactured from 100% recycled cast iron, through our partnership with OK Foundry Company in Richmond, Virginia.
The Botanical Tower Company® also uses packaging materials that are made from recycled content, and we are constantly working to minimize our environmental impact, without minimizing quality.
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Installation
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Your Botanical Tower® package arrives at your home containing two 94"upright posts, two cross-members, the decorative top section, four cast iron brackets, and all necessary hardware needed for a quick trouble-free assembly. Once installed, your Botanical Tower® will stand at roughly 72" in height, and 22" in width, creating three 15" X 15" display areas. The 22"- 24" planting depth will ensure a secure installation that will allow you to hang items of significant weight, such as large hanging planters, garden bells, and the like.
While you're digging, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to plant a flowering vine to grow up and along the surface of your Botanical Tower®
Several options would include wisteria, clematis, hydrangea, sweet pea, jasmine, Chilean bellflower, and climbing rose, to name a few.
As a rule, cedar should not be set in concrete. In most cases it should be set directly into the ground.
In the case of all Botanical Towers®, the holes should be dug to a depth of 22"- 24", 6-7" wide, and roughly 18 ½" apart OC (on center) As with most rules, though, there are often exceptions. Here are a few. Many cedar manufacturers suggest digging the hole an extra 6" deep, and backfilling with gravel before placing the posts. The school of thought is that this measure will improve drainage around the base of the post, and further insure the integrity of the wood. In sandy soils, this extra step may prove unnecessary, but in regions with red clay soil, it might be well worth your consideration. In contrast to rule #1, there are those who suggest using a combination of 6" gravel and the use of concrete to set the posts. In sandy soils in particular, this method would add an extra measure of strength, while benefiting from the natural drainage properties of the soil. As cedar naturally resists decay, there are really no wrong installation methods, and it is best to use the one that best suits your soil conditions and personal preference.
Preservation
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Cedar is one of the most sought after woods, ideal for many outdoor uses. It is a fine-grained wood that is durable and resistant to rotting and insects. Because cedar is a top choice for carefree living, it can be left to age naturally, or painted or stained to match any décor. Untreated cedar is pleasing, however, the wood is porous, and over the long term may become discolored if left in damp and shaded areas. A 20% solution of household bleach in water, with an ounce of dish detergent per gallon of solution, will usually remove all staining. Even after years of exposure, cedar can be refinished to its natural, bright, and clean appearance with minimal effort. If you decide to stain your Botanical Tower® there are a variety of stains available. Some stains have water repellent additives and mildew inhibitors. Penetrating stains, in contrast, go into the wood without forming a surface barrier. This is especially important when considering sealers and primers used prior to any paint application. Penetrating sealants will eliminate the problems of blistering and peeling of the painted surface. If you decide to paint your Botanical Tower® the natural color of the wood will be concealed.
With so many great colors available, painting is a popular option for individuals looking to create their own level of personalization. Painting flowers, nature scenes, or whimsical patterns further contributes to the goal of individual enhancement. Make sure to follow the directions on the manufacturer's product for the best application methods.
