Now celebrating seventeen years here in Ashland, Oregon, Banyan Tree Landscape and Construction has created a legacy of creating extraordinary spaces here in Southern Oregon. From beautiful stonework walkways, retaining walls, patios, gardens and landscapes, Banyan Tree is in a league of its own for craftsmanship, durability and design aesthetic. In today’s interview I caught up with owner Andrew Markham to discuss the founding principles of his company. We talk about the transformation of space into real places that we can share with friends and family for generations to come.
Andrew, thanks so much for speaking with me today and congratulations on seventeen years here in Ashland, Oregon!
Great to be here… I am excited to share our continued success story… For many years we have been working intimately with our clients to design and implement a natural outdoor living experience meeting the unique needs and interests of each of our clients.
Andrew, in our pre-interview phone call you talked about the transformation of space. You made the point of creating spaces that are enjoyable for generations to come and I really appreciated your point of view on this. Will you please say more?
Our clients are invested in their quality of life. They know money in the bank alone is not enough… but rather creating beautiful spaces creates long lasting benefit and enjoyment… and that is what we are here to do, bringing forth the “fruits of our labor” both literally and figuratively.
Andrew, can you please talk about the founding principles of your company and talk about how you go above and beyond to follow these guidelines even to this day?
Resilience continues to be a founding principle of our approach. Our construction and design practices include both short- and long-term goals. For example, creating a level space for a trampoline gives short-term immediate enjoyment, but once the kids are grown and off to college, what’s next for the space?
We take steps to allow for change. Perhaps a hot tub patio or a butterfly garden is the next evolution, or a shade tree that can grow till the kids return with grandkids to swing or climb.
Andrew, what is the current scope of services that Banyan Tree is offering here in Southern Oregon?
We are capable of all forms of design implementation in your outdoor spaces. Patios and pathways define the space and the interconnectedness. The beautiful sloping mountainous terrain of the Rogue Valley often requires retaining walls to increase usability of your landscape. Properly designed irrigation allows for efficient use of our increasingly precious resource of water to create year round interest in the form of flowers, fall color, winter form, food, pollinator and wildlife habitat and more. Privacy fences to keep the pets safe, and shade arbors to extend usability of patios through hot summer months. Water features work as bird baths while providing soothing sounds for your enjoyment. Defined spaces and irrigation for vegetable/herb gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes and more gives opportunity to our clients to actively engage in the natural world.
Andrew, what sets Banyan Tree apart as unique and accomplished in its field?
Two things stand out, exquisite planting design and masterful masonry. Lucretia Weems has been a part of our team from the beginning. Her professional training, and genuine love of diverse plantings has provided years of unique landscapes capturing our clients favorite colors, flowers, and form while highlighting the functional use of the landscape. Our team of masons’ fine touch creates details in the hardscape that speak to the generations of masons from which they come.
When designing a new project, what are some aspects that go into the planning and successful execution?
Mostly listening is where it begins. What are our clients specific needs, preferences, styles and dreams related to outdoor living? Our design often includes allowances for future goals or phases to the project as well as current issues facing the area, namely firewise design, and drought tolerant water saving approach.
Andrew, so much of your work is about relationship building here in Southern Oregon to create extraordinary spaces that then in turn lead to improved quality of life. Please say more.
Improved quality of life is essentially the number one goal. We are all working hard in our lives and to return home should be a highlight. Whether it’s a low maintenance design that gives aesthetic pleasure or a more engaged design offering roses to cut, tomatoes to plant and bird feeders to fill. It can also look like a simple seating area to enjoy the view of Grizzly Peak and a cup of tea or a jasmine-covered trellis to breathe in the sweetness of life.
Andrew, in business and life what have been some of the most important lessons you have learned and how are these applied to the work you do now?
There is a fine line between customers’ wishes and appropriateness. A steep walkway without stairs can be dangerous, stairs without a handrail, etc. Drainage to protect the home, retaining walls built from appropriately sized materials, plantings that will survive deer, heat, cold. We will let you know what works, what doesn’t, and implications of choosing otherwise. It’s up to us to inform the client, while remaining considerate of the ultimate wishes. Most often we are able to find budget appropriate solutions.
Color plays a huge part of what you do when working with clients.
“Nature always wears the color of spirit” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Color therapy, changing color, unfolding petals, autumnal highlights, winter form… just a few phrases to evoke the blissful state that naturally arises from the color of spirit.
Andrew, can you please share recent client success stories and or testimonial with us?
We recently completed a project for a young family in Medford. Expecting mother, 2-year-old daughter Magnolia, and a hardworking father. The small backyard space was covered in concrete, broken up by multiple levels and largely unusable. By removing the concrete, moving an existing retaining wall we brought everything onto one level with a simple lawn. The design was cost-effective, used existing materials and made for a safe, usable backyard.
Andrew, please introduce us to your team.
Jeremy Huhtala has nearly 20 years experience implementing landscape and irrigation design. He has been a rock of stability and competence in our company. Lucretia Weems who I mentioned earlier has such grace in working with clients to provide absolutely unique plant designs for our clientele. The team of masons, father and sons team of Beto, Josue, and Ignacio, as well as the brothers Ruben and Fernando, really make the design happen with master craftsmanship.
What is the favorite part of the work you do here in Southern Oregon?
To create lasting beauty really brings joy to my life. Knowing that these projects will continue to grow and evolve as the trees mature, the vines climb, and the outdoor living spaces are filled with memories of meaningful conversation, epic sunsets, birds splashing in the water feature, and kids climbing the trees. It makes my life meaningful and warms my heart to facilitate creating space for increasingly beneficial experiences to be had.
Andrew, what is the dream of customers choosing to work with Banyan Tree Landscaping?
Consistently to be listened to and then help to ground the vision by giving dollar amounts, budget-appropriate design and expert input in how to make it happen. I am not here to change a person’s style but to listen and help to make them happy.
Andrew, what is your process for working with clients?
It all starts with a phone call, then we walk the site together. I really just try to listen. I then put together the wishlist with design elements, measurements, costs and alternatives. From there we refine the list to meet budget and often consider a multiple stage approach. Once we come to an agreement, a contract is signed and the work commences towards fruition.
When it comes to quality, you always aim for the best. Please say more about your process of informed professional decision making.
The decades of experience really helps in the execution and providing the resilience we pride ourselves upon. For example, a recent project was slated for concrete driveway, before commencing I realized the sweet gum tree adjacent to the driveway would likely cause irreparable damage to the driveway 5-to-10-years in the future. We were able to change the design to pavers which can be repaired as needed in the future.
Andrew, what are the next steps for starting our project?
Give us a call, or email, or connect through the website. I will return your call, set an appointment and from there the possibilities are limitless…
Finally, are there any last thoughts or comments you would like to share with our audience?
It has been a pleasure to serve Southern Oregon all these years. We look forward to hearing from you and being a part of improving your moment to moment experience of outdoor enjoyment.
