New landscape designer joins SisterScapes

Ben Thornes can fight forest fires, cut down trees, design landscaping for golf courses, and create websites. No wonder SisterScapes, Inc. owner Bob Aitken snapped him up to fill his job opening.

In his new position, Thornes will be designing landscapes for customers from Sisters to Bend.

Thornes has a degree in landscape architecture from the University of Idaho. However, he wasn’t sure exact-ly how he would use hiseducation.

At one time in his career, Thornes worked for his brother-in-law helping redesign a golf course.

He said that “really sparked my interest in residential and larger scale design.”

First, however, he took a slight detour intosilviculture.

Thornes worked with the Forest Service, supervising crews who were planting and thinning trees — and he fought forest fires.

“I had that crazy urge,” Thornes said about fighting fires.

He and his wife moved to Bend two years ago. During that summer of 2003, they both fought the numerous forest fires that burned through Central Oregon including the B&B Complex.

Although he enjoyed his work with the Forest Service, he was ready to put his creativity to work.

“This is what I went to school for,” said Thornes of the new position he took on in February.

Before Thornes joined the business, SisterScapes had to hire out for design. Now Thornes adds design skills to the growing business.

“There is a great demand around here,” said Thornes.

When Thornes first meets with customers, he asks what they expect, listens to their ideas and looks at what already exists in thelandscape.

Thornes says there is growing interest in xeriscaping, or using native plants to minimize water consumption.

“I just think it makes sense — it’s practical and ethical,” said Thornes.

Thornes said one gardening challenge in Central Oregon is deer, adding “they’re persistent animals.” However, he has good results using cayenne pepper-based products on plants to keep deer away.

Thornes is excited about a new software program that will allow him to work more efficiently and give customers a preview of their new landscape before any dirt is touched.

“The features of this wonderful program allow me to take digital photos and incorporate plants and hardscapes into that image, providing a good visual for customers to see what their landscape will look like when completed,” said Thornes.

The software will also allow Thornes to showcustomers how plants look at different times of the year, and to see how plants fill out the space once they mature.

Another interesting feature is that it can show a view of the new landscape at night or with holiday lighting.

Thornes is also using technology to create a website for SisterScapes so new customers can view design options at theirconvenience.

Thornes is glad to be putting his design degree to good use while not being tied to a desk:

“I’m used to doing a lot of physical labor.”

Thornes and his wife, who met through the University of Idaho’s Logger Sports Club, are outdoor enthusiasts. Both Idaho natives, now they are enjoying life in CentralOregon.

When not working, the Thornes can be found steel heading, fly fishing, swimming or backpacking.

Often their outdoor adventures include their “four-legged kids,” a large German Shepherd and a Shepherd mix puppy.

“We love the area,” said Thornes.