The Growing Concern January 2016 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

JANUARY 2016

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

OLA Education Series

Build a Better Landscape Business January 19 & 20, 2016

PAGE 30

OLA Landscape Design Workshop January 26, 27 & 28, 2016

PAGE 16 & 17

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

HOW WILL YOU GROW? I love this time of the year, turning the calendar over and looking forward to what the new year holds. Most of us use this time to reflect on the previous year: our successes, our failures, and how we can learn from them to make ourselves and our businesses better moving forward. As I look back on 2015, I think about what a challenging year it was: constant rain during the month of June, clients seemingly much more demanding than usual – and on top of that – continued labor shortages and the ongoing H2B crisis. Yet, in spite of all that, many contractors I spoke with still had a good year, remaining optimistic for 2016. One highlight of 2015 was that the OLA turned 50! For those of you that turned out for the celebration in September - thank you! It was a fun evening, and it was great to see a lot of familiar faces, as well as meet some new ones. As we head into 2016, one thing most contractors think about is whether or not to grow their business and take it to the next level. We have all heard the saying, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” While there is some truth to that, the question remains, how will you grow? The first thing that comes to mind for most contractors is to add new services, expand their service area, or add staff and equipment to take on more work. While physical

BRYAN TAYNOR

Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc.

While physical and financial growth is good for business, what about your professional growth? and financial growth is good for business, what about your professional growth? What are you doing to grow your team and business professionally? There are many ways to keep you and your team growing on a professional level for the new season. For starters, if you are reading this, then you have already committed to continued learning and growth as a Green Industry Professional by staying engaged in your organization – congratulations! I can remember when I attended my first OLA event in Columbus; not only was it an informative and educational meeting, but I had the chance to meet many of the members, some of whom made the trip from Cleveland. I remember how passionate these members were about the industry, learning, and sharing their knowledge. That camaraderie and shared passion is what attracted me to the organization. Since then, I have stayed engaged with the OLA, and enjoy seeing everyone year after year at meetings and events. continued on page 6 The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 3

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 W W W. O H I O L A N D S C A P E R S . O R G

OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL GREEN I N D U S T R Y A S S O C I AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com EDITOR Rick Doll REGULAR WRITERS Michael J Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Jim Funai, LIC, Cuyahoga Community College Shelly Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Bryan Taynor, Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc. ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to publication month. For advertising rates, please call 1.800.335.6521

FEATURES

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

How Will You Grow?

FISCAL FITNESS

Taking Interest in Rising Interest Rates

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Deaf and Taxus

FOR SAFETY SAKE

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Operating a Chain Saw Safely

Drought Tolerant Perennials, Part 2

DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association. OFFICERS President Bryan Taynor President-Elect Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA Treasurer Marie McConnell

26 BETTER LANDSCAPE TRAILERS

Immediate Past President Steve Moore

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

MEAN BETTER PRODUCTIVITY

DIRECTIONS

Welcoming the New Year

INSIDE EVERY ISSUE

33 34

ADVERTISING INDEX WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Communications and Events Manager Rick Doll Membership Coordinator Noreen Schraitle

DIRECTORS Eric Brubeck, ASLA Adam Capiccioni James Funai Jacob Grimm Nathan Kowalsick Domenic Lauria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS U P C O M I N G O L A M E E T I N G S , E D U C AT I O N S E M I N A R S A N D O T H E R G R E E N I N D U S T R Y E V E N T S

JANUARY

CENTS Trade Show and Conference JANUARY 11-13, 2016 Visit the OLA booth #1737 at CENTS. Held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. For more information about the show, contact the ONLA at 800-825-5062.

OLA Hospitality Suite at CENTS JANUARY 12, 2016 Join us for a great time and networking in the Hampton Inn at 5 pm. Visit the OLA booth #1737 at CENTS to find out which suite we will be in.

OLA Build A Better Landscape Business – NE Ohio JANUARY 19-20, 2016 – NE OHIO Two-day workshop. Take the guesswork out! Learn your costs, build a budget for your company and learn how to estimate your work for profit! Workshop instructed by Landscape Management Network, sponsored by Ohio CAT and co-presented by OLA and NALP. Held at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotels, Independence, OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

OLA Meeting JANUARY 21, 2016 – NE OHIO Back by Popular Demand – Ultimate Networking, Roundtable Discussions. This meeting will be held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For information, contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

OLA Landscape Design Workshop – Class 1 JANUARY 26-28, 2016 – NE OHIO Three-day workshop, the first in a series of four classes. Exciting, new format with lots of interaction. This is a great opportunity for those new to landscape design or to fine-tune your skills. Workshop instructed by Kathy Stokes-Shafer, APLD, and Kevin O’Brien, APLD. Held at the Indiana Wesleyan University, Independence, OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

FEBRUARY Great Big Home and Garden Show FEBRUARY 5-14, 2016 Visit the OLA garden at the Great Big Home and Garden consumer show at the I-X Center in Cleveland, OH., featuring home improvement and landscape solutions for homeowners. Members are invited to help build and staff the OLA garden. For information on the show, visit greatbighomeandgarden.com.

OLA Landscape Design Workshop – Class 2 FEBRUARY 9-11, 2016 Three-day workshop, the second in a series of four classes. Exciting, new format with lots of interaction. This is a great opportunity for those new to landscape design or for to fine-tune your skills. Workshop instructed by Kathy Stokes-Shafer APLD and Kevin O’Brien, APLD. Held at the Indiana Wesleyan University, Independence, OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

OLA Landscape Design Workshop – Class 3 FEBRUARY 23-25, 2016 Three-day workshop, the third in a series of four classes. Exciting, new format with lots of interaction. This is a great opportunity for those new to landscape design or to fine-tune your skills. Workshop instructed by Kathy Stokes-Shafer, APLD, and Kevin O’Brien, APLD. Held at the Indiana Wesleyan University, Independence, OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

MARCH OLA Landscape Design Workshop – Class 4 MARCH 8-9, 2016 Two-day workshop, the last in a series of four classes. Exciting, new format with lots of interaction. This is a great opportunity for those new to landscape

design or to fine-tune your skills. Workshop instructed by Kathy Stokes-Shafer, APLD, and Kevin O’Brien, APLD. Held at the Indiana Wesleyan University, Independence, OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521 or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

OLA Meeting – NE Ohio MARCH 10, 2016 Jeffrey Scott will be joining us to help kick off your spring season! This meeting will be held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For information, contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

Landscape Ohio! Awards Dinner and Presentation MARCH 24, 2016 Spectacular Academy Awards Style Presentation and Gourmet Dinner. Held at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. For information, contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

JULY

Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test – Written Only JULY 20, 2016 Held on the campus of OSU ATI in Wooster. For more information, contact Jan Elliott or Kim Sayers at the Ohio State ATI Business Training and Educational Services office at 330-287-7511 or 330-287-0100, or visit LandscapeCertifiedOhio.org.

Landscape Industry Certified Technician Test – Full Test JULY 21, 2016 Hands-On and Written Test. Held on the campus of OSU ATI in Wooster. For more information, contact Jan Elliott or Kim Sayers at the Ohio State ATI Business Training and Educational Services office at 330-287-7511 or 330-287-0100, or visit LandscapeCertifiedOhio.org.

The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 5

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN continued from pg 3

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I have had the privilege of working in this industry for nearly thirty years, and now, I have the privilege of being your OLA President for 2016. I’m excited for what’s to come! We have a great Board of Directors who are passionate and eager to make this a successful year for all of you. As well, we want to hear from you because – after all – this is your organization! So please, let us know what you want to see at the meetings and events. What educational topics can we offer to help you and your team grow? Finally, if you would like to get involved, contact us about joining a committee. We are always looking for people like you who want to share their knowledge and passion with the organization. I look forward to meeting you and hope to see you at the next event!

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In addition to industry meetings and educational events, what else can you do to keep yourself and your staff at their best professionally? There are many options out there – from sales seminars and webinars, to consultants and coaches – but what about some good old-fashioned brainstorming sessions between your team and divisions? What about cross-training? And have you considered classes at your local vocational school or community college?

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6 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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FISCAL FITNESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN King Financial, Inc.

TAKING INTEREST IN RISING INTEREST RATES

The Federal Reserve could boost interest rates as early as this month. That move – when it comes – will affect almost everyone, in some way.

A FED HIKE WON’T AFFECT ALL INTEREST RATES

SOME RATES ARE INFLUENCED MORE BY AN ISSUER’S FINANCIAL HEALTH

There are many different types of interest rates, and they don’t all react to the same things. The central bank exerts most control over short-term, variable rates – such as yields on money-market funds – but the Federal Reserve has little direct influence over long-term mortgage rates, as well as rates on student loans and vehicle loans. Most of these rates are fixed, and some – like mortgages – respond to bond-market prices, where inflation and inflationary expectations hold more sway. For example, most mortgage rates are pegged to yields on U.S. Treasury notes with 10-year maturities.

Another factor that affects rates is a borrower’s credit condition. As a rule, people with poor credit histories and subprime borrowers will pay more for a loan than others, reflecting the heightened concern that they might not pay their obligations. The same goes for corporations and governments that raise money by issuing or selling bonds. Credit risk can greatly influence what yields these institutions must offer to attract investors.

For consumers, the biggest impact could be felt in higher rates on credit cards.

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In short, yields will be higher for issuers perceived as unreliable, because investors will require more money to compensate for the added uncertainty. Conversely, when an issuer improves its financial continued on page 10

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FISCAL FITNESS continued from pg 8 situation, the yields on its bonds will drop. At any rate, credit risks, rather than just interest-rate movements, also affect yields.

RATE HIKES AREN’T NECESSARILY BAD FOR CONSUMERS The impact from a Fed rate increase will vary. Some borrowers might not like paying higher interest, but others won’t be affected. Then there are savers who will benefit. Yields have been depressed for years on certificates of deposit, money-market funds and Treasury bills. As interest rates begin to slowly creep higher, so will the yields of these investments. Curiously, rate hikes might help lenders, too. Rates currently are so low that banks earn an exceptionally meager differential between what they collect on loans compared with what they pay on deposits. A low interest-rate environment compresses the spread those banks can make as profit. As rates rise, those spreads will widen. Retirees are the ones most affected by the low interest rate environment. Those on a fixed income are poised to see their interest rise on investments, which should be a welcome relief. The problem is that rates probably won’t rise dramatically. I predict the Federal Reserve to carefully raise rates if economic conditions warrant such moves. And those moves probably will be small, such as a quarter percent per move.

RATE HIKES AREN’T NECESSARILY BAD FOR STOCKS EITHER Higher interest rates are mostly bad for bonds, especially if they come with the expectation for higher inflation. As a rule, rising

10 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

As a rule, people with poor credit histories and subprime borrowers will pay more for a loan than others … rates translate to lower bond prices — investors will bid down the prices of existing bonds in the market until their yields rise enough to correspond with newly issued bonds carrying higher yields. In other words, bond prices move in the opposite direction of rates. With stocks, the relationship is less clear-cut. If rising rates correspond with a strengthening economy, that usually means corporate profits, revenue and cash flow are improving. Stock prices often advance under such conditions, especially if the rate hikes are gradual and start from low levels. It follows that rate increases don’t necessarily cause recessions.

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PLANT OF THE MONTH

JIM FUNAI, COLP, LIC Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

DEAF AND TAXUS Few things in life are certain other than landscapers being “deaf to Taxus.” It seems as there are two extremes in opinion on this great genus, and holding one makes you deaf to the other. Why is it that so many times we put ourselves into extremes of opinion on what is good and what is bad? We certainly all do so with the brands of power equipment we prefer, proclaiming our chosen brand as superior with all others inferior. Have you ever caught yourself doing the same with plant materials? You see someone plant Taxus in a landscape and scoff at the sheer limits of their amateur plant knowledge. “What is it, 1950? Get a new plant palate you land-scraper!” Stop for a second though and ask, “What made a plant like Taxus so darn popular?” What makes any plant popular? Usually it starts with who is growing the plants. If a plant is relatively easy to propagate, grows at a reasonable rate, requires fewer inputs, and can be transplanted and handled without much damage, then you have to imagine the nursery grower will favor that plant. If a plant can take a little shipping abuse, transplants into the landscape easily, and typically doesn’t require high maintenance, then you have to imagine the landscaper will favor that plant. Pretty easy to see, under that light, why there are so many Spirea, Burning Bush, Daylily, Black-eye-Susan, and of course Yew. Planting Taxus (Yew) however, is a long time staple of ancient gardens, dating back to human’s first major attempts to manipulate

12 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

the landscape for aesthetic reasons. There are many examples in Western European sites still growing Taxus specimens that are at least 2,000 years old. Many of these ancient Yew trees are found in equally ancient graveyards, with plenty of speculation as to the relationship. Some claim that the “tree of death” – due to the poisonous berries – is a fitting plant for a graveyard. Others claim that it is the longevity of the plant that symbolizes eternal life, which makes it appropriate for the site. Predating this use, there are many references found in old Germanic and Norse documents of uses of this tree for weapons and for creating thick walls of green. How cool is it that a plant we use today has been used as a hedge for at least 3,000 years, that we continued on page 14

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The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 13

PLANT OF THE MONTH continued from pg 12 can trace? With such a long and storied history, humans and Taxus have a lot to celebrate in our landscapes today. It is believed the name Yew comes from early Germanic tribes who named it īwa (yuu-a), which meant red-brown, in reference to the beautiful colors of the bark on this tree. Taxus is of Latin root meaning toxic – a reference to the berries – and is one of the first groups of plants to be described by Linnaeus. Many of us likely do not think of Yews as being trees, but in the native habitats of Taxus baccata through much of Europe, it surely is a tree of great proportions. The Fortingall Yew, located in Scotland, was recorded in 1769 to have a circumference of about 52 feet (16-foot diameter). In modern times, the tree split open and heartwood has since rotted out giving the appearance of a small grove of large trees. In our recent adventures across the Czech Republic and Austria, we have seen some of the most magnificent specimens of Taxus baccata growing naturally along steep slopes in the middle of old forests. The common name in America is usually English Yew for T. baccata, but it may be more appropriate to use the less common European Yew for its spread is quite large through the continent. Taxus are quite an incredible plant in their ability to adapt and survive. It is this ability that makes them such a great plant for hedges. Highly tolerant to heavy pruning, these plants can activate long dormant epicormic buds to flush new growth from even the oldest wood on their trunks. Surely you have seen an instance where someone cut a large overgrown Yew to a foot or so and watched as the tree miraculously regrew from the stumps. As we mentioned, we found T. bacatta flourishing in sometimes deep shade in the woods, but could easily find equally impressive specimens in more open habitats where sun would reach them most of the day. In truth, the only major Achilles Heel these plants have for us in the Midwest – other than deer, which we’ll discuss soon – is a hatred for wet feet. You must provide these plants with well-drained soils, ideally not drought stricken either, in order for them to stave off Phytophthora root rot, which will surely set in on poor drained sites and remove the plant from the landscape for you. It is with sadness that we have to admit Taxus bacatta typically does not enjoy our winters and is not highly recommended in the landscape. We do have a number of cultivars and hybrids of various Taxus that will do quite well, however.

14 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

T. baccata ‘Repandens’ is a hardy cultivar that will provide a tall, groundcover effect, reaching 3 feet high and gracefully arching out up to 6 feet – perhaps a bit more. T. cuspidate, known as Japanese Yew, is a much hardier Taxus and can provide a number of great cultivars for landscape use including: ‘Capitata’, a pyramidal yew has been around forever, reaching into the 20 foot range and spreading perhaps up to 8 feet, making a slow growing pyramid. ‘Golden Jewel’ is a great introduction from Klyn Nurseries that mimics the pyramidal form of ‘Capitata,’ but throws some brightly colored golden leaves in the mix to liven up the landscape. ‘Golden Treasure’ takes the beautiful bright foliage and mixes it with a much lower habit, reaching 3 or so feet high and spreading out to 5 or 6 feet. It is best in the sun to keep the foliage color alive. When you cross the two species mentioned above, you end up with likely the most commonly planted Yews. Known as Taxus x media, these hybrids have a number of common cultivars worth consideration. ‘Densiformis’, reaching 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, is one of the old guards of the Yews and is certainly one that has reached overplanting status in our landscapes.

PLANT OF THE MONTH ‘Everlow’ is a great option for low 3 foot height and 5 foot spread that makes a great low-massing effect, with great winter cold tolerance. ‘Hicksii’ is another old guard that reaches 10 to 12 feet tall, while staying within 6 foot in width. It is not the most exciting plant, but it’s great for a tall hedge. ‘Viridis’ is a very exciting cultivar that reaches up to 20 feet, without stepping wider than 3 feet. It can bring a great vertical element to the garden. Now, before we go celebrating the great cultivar uses and reviving this plant from overplanted foundation shrub to garden accent, let’s discuss one more concern. If deer are going to be present in the garden, you need to heed much caution. Most deer confuse Taxus with an all-you-can-eat buffet and can strip the poor plants bare in one night. Your client will wake up one day with nothing but twigs left – and an angry phone call to you. Surely, there are options for protecting the plant with any number of deer repellent sprays (used in constant rotation) for the demanding client, but perhaps in the deer stricken landscape consideration could be given

to a very similar looking plant with great deer-resistance known as Cephalotaxus (Japanese Plum Yew). With a number of beautiful cultivars to choose from, this plant could be the evergreen you are looking for. Perhaps we’ll have to write a whole article on that one! For now, let us part with words of encouragement to always approach each landscape with fresh eyes. What works in one landscape may not work in the next. Keep your plant palate large and be ready to deploy the best plant for the unique situations each landscape offers. Don’t be afraid to use a Taxus, should the site be right. Three thousand years of enjoying this majestic plant is nothing to laugh at, just because the plant was misused/overused along a bunch of suburban homes for a few decades.

Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in horticulture degree program offering many paths to higher education in the green industry. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio that offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care. Both are graduates of The Ohio State University. Contact Jim and Shelley via email at hortsquad@gmail.com.

Support those who support You! They are... • OLA members and advertisers who supply goods and services • OLA members who sponsor OLA events

You’ll find them... • Inside the pages of the OLA Membership Directory • Among those advertising inside The Growing Concern and the OLA Membership Directory • Displaying as a sponsor at OLA meetings and education events • Inside The Growing Concern’s pages with event sponsor acknowledgements The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 15

OLA EDUCATION SERIES

OLA Landscape Design Workshop Instructed by the Award Winning Team of Kathy Stokes-Shafer APLD and Kevin O’Brien APLD The Secret is Out! It is no mystery that great client service, accurate estimating and productive work are necessary for any landscape business to succeed. Everyone is working very hard at doing the best they can to improve and grow their businesses. But have you ever wondered why some companies always win awards for their work? Or why their projects always look so nice? What is their secret? Are they just lucky or what? The answer is quite simple. They are lucky. They’re lucky enough to understand that the secret to producing really great work starts with a really great design. It only makes sense. A landscape design that is rooted in the generally accepted design principles will ensure that any project, large or small, will have the foundational elements to be outstanding. Mastery of these design principles results in work that is functional, timeless and beautiful. It’s not a secret anymore. Design matters. Successful landscape contractors have known this for years. They have built their company’s reputation and portfolio of work upon it. They know that by aligning the needs and wants of their clients with functional & beautiful design solutions results in more sales, more satisfied clients and more referrals. Don’t settle for “good enough” anymore! Take advantage of this transformational opportunity that will improve your design ability, boost your confidence and give you the tools necessary to create impressive work. Make the decision to design better now and don’t let another season go by wishing you could. The landscape design course has been structured to maximize its impact for the participant and their business. You will learn all of the skills necessary to develop a landscape design and see how to confidently present your solutions in a way that a client understands & ultimately purchases. Your design ideas need to sell. Without a sale, there isn’t any benefit to you, your business or your client. Who should attend? Anyone who would like to become a landscape designer, current landscape designers who would like to sharpen their skills, account managers and salespeople who would like to be able to sell enhancements on the spot without involving your company’s designer.

Instructed by

Kathy Stokes-Shafer, APLD Kevin O’Brien APLD

Course Times

8:00am to 5:00/6:00pm each day

Location

INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY INDEPENDENCE, OH

Class 1 - January 26, 27, 28, 2016

Class 3 – February 23, 24, 25, 2016

Class 2 – February 9, 10, 11, 2016

Class 4 – March 8 & 9, 2016

Learning objective: Learn the underlying principles that all great design needs to have in order to be successful. There are no shortcuts here. Gain design competency and confidence by skillfully incorporating the design principles into your work. Content will cover all of the design principles, form, form composition and lines of force with hands-on, interactive tools for quick comprehension. Learning objective: Learn the fundamentals of the design process: initial site study & analysis, importance of scale & accuracy, developing a design program, testing ideas with functional diagrams and preparing preliminary and final presentation plans. Discover how to render your design ideas effectively for clarity and comprehension. Participants will develop front and backyard plans with emphasis on form composition and utilization of the design principles.

Learning objective: Get comfortable with the design methodology introduced in the previous session by developing a series of sample site designs. Learn how to go beyond design basics by discovering how to use plants effectively, how to use the Fibonacci Sequence, Golden Mean, and Golden Ratio, and how to utilize a sloping site to your advantage. Time-saving rendering techniques will be introduced when a quick design is all that is needed to communicate a concept. Learning objective: Learn to communicate design concepts using elevation and section drawings; Properly format, label and letter plan view drawings; and develop and use creative design solutions to differentiate yourself from the competition. Discover how to sell your design by listening to your client, asking the right questions, establishing trust, and communicating effectively. Industry-leading salesmen will share their secrets to selling & how they use great design to their advantage sell millions of dollars in landscape work each year.

Registration Information - Landscape Design Workshop Registration Cut-off Date is 10 days prior to the Start of Each Course Register for one class at a time – or bundle for a discount!

CLASS Individual Class Individual Class Bundle A (Save 10%) Bundle B (Save 15%) Bundle C (Save 20%)

OLA MEMBER

NON-MEMBER

Before cut-off date

After cut-off date

Before cut-off date

After cut-off date

$295 $195 $530 $750 $864

$345 $245 $620 $880 $1024

$395 $295 $711 $1007 $1184

$445 $345 $800 $1135 $1344

Class 1, 2, or 3 Class 4 Classes 1 & 2 Classes 1, 2 & 3 Classes 1, 2, 3 & 4

LOCATION: All courses will be held at Indiana Wesleyan University, 4100 Rockside Road, Independence, Ohio.

PLEASE NOTE:

Course fees do not include supplies. A complete list of supplies is available on our website at www.ohiolandscapers.org. Some supplies can be difficult to locate, so we recommend you shop early. Lunch will be on your own. There are many lunch options nearby – or you may pack your own.

COURSE REGISTRATION:

Must be received by the OLA office no later than 10 days before the start of the course. Space is limited; register early! Payment MUST accompany reservation.

CANCELLATIONS:

Cancellations made less than 10 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for no-shows, cancellations on the day of the course, or after the course has begun. If, for any reason, the course is canceled, enrollees will be notified, and unused fees will be refunded in full.

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 Check No. ___________ Enclosed

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN WORKSHOP Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517 Register online, by mail, by phone or fax: Phone 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

FOR SAFETY SAKE

OPERATING A CHAIN SAW SAFELY BY H.E. “HANK” STELZER, FORESTRY STATE SPECIALIST, SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES Reprinted with permission of the University of Missouri, MSU Extension Bulletin G1959 Chain saws are relatively common and may seem simple to operate. But felling trees and clearing brush with a chain saw are operations that require training and proper safety precautions. Logging is among the most dangerous professions. And if it is dangerous for professionals, it is even more so for the average landowner. So, carefully consider the need for training before buying and using a chain saw. MU Extension publication G1954, Selecting and Maintaining a Chain Saw, highlights safety features to look for when purchasing a chain saw. It also contains some helpful tips for maintaining a saw. MU Extension publication G1958, Felling, Limbing and Bucking Trees, provides basic information for cutting down trees.

PREPARE YOURSELF Prepare yourself for operating a chain saw. Read the operator’s manual and obtain training from someone who is experienced with chain saws. It is very important to become familiar with the recommended safe operational procedures before attempting to work with a chain saw. Although you could learn how to use a chain saw from experience alone, that may come at a very high price - mishap and injury - and probably isn’t worth it. Be sure that you are in top physical and mental condition when operating dangerous machinery. Medicines, alcohol and similar influencing factors can cause you to be a hazard to yourself and

18 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

others when working with a chain saw. Your chances of injury are much lower when you are alert, well-rested and healthy. Obtain the following personal protective equipment (PPE) before starting to work, and wear it when sawing: • Hard hat to protect your head from falling limbs or branches. The best helmets also have a face guard. • Safety glasses or goggles (if your helmet does not have a face guard) to prevent eye injury from flying wood chips. • Ear muffs or ear plugs to protect ears from permanent injury. Noise from some gas-powered chain saws can exceed 100 decibels. A hard hat that includes ear muffs and a face shield is the best PPE for chain saw work. • Lightweight gloves, preferably leather, to protect hands from abrasions and cuts. • Trim-fitting clothing free of ragged edges. Loose clothing will readily snag on limbs or get caught in the saw. • Chain saw chaps to protect your legs from saw kickback. These chaps are made of ballistic nylon fibers that, when cut, clog the chain saw and stop it from cutting. • Work boots with high tops and steel toes to protect your feet. Know basic first aid, especially for severe bleeding, second-degree burns and shock. Knowing what to do in the event of a saw kickback resulting in a deep cut, an unprotected hand coming in continued on page 20

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FOR SAFETY SAKE

continued from pg 18 contact with a hot muffler, or the victim going into shock could mean the difference between life and death, particularly if you are working in a remote location. Also, make sure all individuals know the location of the first-aid kit and that the kit contains plenty of sterile, absorbent gauze pads.

PREPARE THE SAW Preventive maintenance always pays off with chain saws. Properly sharpened teeth will cut quickly, smoothly and more safely. Be sure to wear gloves or cover the chain with a heavy rag when sharpening the saw teeth. The newly sharpened teeth will easily inflict injury. File or grind according to instructions for best performance. A clean air filter, good spark plug and effective muffler will ensure a better running engine, making your work easier and safer. Follow the manufacturer’s advice in the operator’s manual when adjusting the engine or chain. Proper chain tension helps ensure long chain life and safer cutting. A chain that is too loose tends to derail and whip about dangerously; a chain that is too tight will bind and wear prematurely. All chains stretch with use and need frequent checking and readjustment. Good lubrication helps to prolong chain life and maintain tension adjustment. Check the oil often and refill according to instructions. Be sure to use the correct bar oil.

STARTING AND OPERATING TECHNIQUES Before starting the engine, set the saw on firm ground in an open area free of any obstacles or combustible materials, such as a fuel can or leaves. Make sure the chain brake is engaged (check the owner’s manual for how to engage the brake). If the chain brake is

20 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

not engaged, when the engine starts the engine speed may be fast enough for the clutch to engage the sprocket and turn the chain. If the bar touches any object, it may cause the saw to kick back toward you. Maintain good balance and secure footing. Grip the front handlebar of the saw firmly with your left hand and press down. For saws with a C-shaped rear handle, put the toe of your right foot into the rear handle and press down. With your right hand, pull out the starter grip until you feel a definite resistance and then give it a brisk, strong pull. During operation, always hold the chain saw firmly with both hands. Wrap your fingers and thumbs around the handles. Grip the front handle with your left hand and the rear handle with your right hand, even if you are left-handed. With your hands in this position, you can best oppose and absorb the push, pull and kickback forces of the saw without losing control. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Take special care in slippery conditions, such as wet ground or snow, and in difficult, overgrown terrain. Watch for hidden obstacles such as tree stumps, roots, rocks, holes and ditches to avoid stumbling. Be extremely cautious when working on slopes or uneven ground. Never use the chain saw with one hand. Using one hand makes it more difficult for you to control reactive force and to prevent the bar and chain from skating or bouncing along the limb or log. See the list of chain saw don’ts for more safety tips.

CHAIN SAW “DON’TS” When operating a chain saw, NEVER do the following things: • Work alone • Work on a ladder or any other insecure support

FOR SAFETY SAKE

• Hold the saw above shoulder height • Overreach to make a cut • Work in a tree •P ut pressure on the saw when reaching the end of a cut (The pressure may cause the bar and rotating chain to pop out of the cut, go out of control and strike you or some other object.) • Work at night • A llow other people in the general work area, even when starting the saw • Operate the saw indoors or in poorly ventilated conditions • Use the saw to pry or shovel away limbs, roots or other objects • Refuel a hot saw

REACTIVE FORCES: KICKBACK, PUSHBACK, PULL-IN The powerful force used to cut wood can be reversed and work against you. If the rotating chain is suddenly stopped by contact with a solid object, such as a log or branch, or is pinched, a reactive force may occur instantly. The reactive force may result in loss of control, which, in turn, may cause a serious or fatal injury. The most common reactive forces are kickback, pushback and pull-in. Kickback may occur when the moving saw chain near the upper quadrant of the bar nose contacts a solid object or is pinched in the log or branch. The reaction of the cutting force causes a rotational force on the chain saw in the direction opposite to the chain movement. This may fling the bar up and back in a lightning-fast reaction in an uncontrolled arc toward you. Even though your saw should be equipped with a safety chain that reduces the risk of kickback, the chain does not eliminate the hazard. The best protection from personal injury that may result from kickback is to follow these safe practices: • Hold the saw firmly with both hands. • A lways be aware of the location of the guide bar nose. • Never let the nose of the guide bar contact any object. • Do not cut limbs with the nose of the guide bar. • Do not overreach. • Do not cut above shoulder height. • Begin cutting and continue at full throttle. • Cut only one log at a time. • Use extreme caution when reentering a previous cut. • Do not attempt to plunge cut if you are not experienced with these cutting techniques. • Be alert for shifting of the log or other forces that may cause the cut to close and pinch the chain.

• Stand to the side of the cutting path of the chain saw. • Properly maintain the saw chain.

Pushback occurs when the chain on the top of the bar is suddenly stopped when it is pinched or caught or encounters a foreign object in the wood. The reaction of the chain may drive the saw rapidly straight back toward you and may cause you to lose control of the saw. Pushback frequently occurs when the top of the bar is used for cutting. To avoid pushback, follow these safe practices: • Be alert to forces or situations that may cause the log or branch to pinch the top of the chain. • Do not cut more than one log at a time. • Do not twist the saw when withdrawing the bar from an undercut because the chain can pinch. Pull-in occurs when the chain on the bottom of the bar is suddenly stopped when it is pinched or caught or encounters a foreign object. The reaction of the chain pulls the saw forward and may cause you to lose control of it. Pull-in frequently occurs when the bumper spike of the saw is not held securely against the tree or limb and when the chain is not rotating at full speed before it contacts the wood. To avoid pull-in, follow this safe practice: • A lways start a cut with the chain rotating at full speed and the bumper spike in contact with the wood.

FUELING THE SAW Follow good fire safety practices when refueling a chain saw. Refuel the saw in an open area after it has cooled, at least 10 feet away from where you wish to restart the saw and resume cutting. Fuel the saw at least 20 feet away from fires and lighted cigarettes. Use proper funnels and spouts to prevent spills. Wipe the saw dry of any spilled fuel before starting it.

SAW TRANSPORT AND STORAGE For transport, set the saw level with the fuel tank cap up. Be sure the saw cannot tip over and spill fuel or oil. Avoid carrying the saw in the passenger area of a vehicle. Use a chain guard or a carrying case to protect yourself as well as the chain. For long-term storage, drain the fuel tank in a safe, well-ventilated area. Run the saw at idle until it stops to remove the remaining fuel from the tank. Remove the chain, and store it in a container of oil. Disconnect the spark plug wire to reduce the possibility of accidental starting. Store the saw out of the reach of children.

The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 21

PERENNIAL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

Galtonia candicans, Rosa rugosa ‘Coeur d’Alene’, Origanum ‘Rotkugel’, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’, Eryngium ‘Jade Frost’ and ‘Blaukappe’, Helictotrichon and Yucca ‘Bright Edge’.

DROUGHT TOLERANT PERENNIALS, PART 2

Weather forecasts are frustrating. Is it going to be a wet year, or a dry one? Will it be brutally cold, or extremely warm? Unfortunately, we don’t get to pick. Whatever Mother Nature has in-store, we are stuck with it, and the only action we can take is picking plants that will survive. Part of my garden has very well-drained soil and I have chosen plants for that area that are sun and drought tolerant. A few articles ago, I walked you through that area from early spring through June. Now, I am prepared to take you from July through late October. In early July, the foliage of Iris siberica provides an excellent background for the purples and pinks of Lavandula ‘Jean Davis’, Echinacea ‘Pixie Meadowbrite’ – my favorite dwarf coneflower – and Monarda ‘Dark Ponticum’, a mildew resistant cultivar. In the photo showing this section of the garden, there are also Veronica ‘Darwin Blue’ and ‘Fairytale’. While these are not drought tolerant, they are in an adjoining section of the bed that is irrigated. Bronze Snapdragons, which are drought tolerant, supply some color-contrast and zing. They also happen to be one of my favorite annuals, because they often return the following spring, even after a really harsh winter.

22 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

It is amazing how many different perennials are happy in dry sun, as long as the soil is well-drained. Further down the driveway, I have Helictotrichon sempervirens, an ornamental grass that flaunts its steely-blue foliage all year long. I love it with Stachys monieri, a July and August blooming perennial, with pink fuzzy spires that should be better known, along with the purple foliage of Sedum ‘Hab Grey’. Moving back up the driveway in early August, there is the summer-blooming bulb Galtonia candicans with its white continued on page 24

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PERENNIAL FOCUS continued from pg 22 nodding bells and strappy foliage, the reddish-orange hips of Rosa rugosa ‘Coeur d’Alene’, and Origanum ‘Rotkugel’, an ornamental oregano. They all shine against Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ that is just coming into bloom. The steel-blue bracts of Eryngium ‘Jade Frost’ and ‘Blaukappe’ echo the foliage of the Helictotrichon further down the drive, and Yucca ‘Bright Edge’ supplies even more foliage color. In late September, Miscanthus ‘Adagio’ is in its full glory and is augmented by Agastache ‘Purple Haze’, the white heads of Allium tuberosum (Garlic Chives), Sedum ‘Hab Grey’, Orange Snapdragons, the fuzzy foliage of Verbascum, and Stachys monieri ‘Fuzzy Form’. In the background are the huge heads of Hydrangea ‘Limelight’ and the orange pods of an Asclepias hybrid. In late October, this bed is still an eye-catcher with the creamy-white inflorescences of Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, the foliage and deadheads of Iris siberica, the purple spikes of Lavandul, and Salvia farinacea – an annual that I use where Tulips bloom in the spring –

Miscanthus ‘Adagio’, the foliage and deadheads of Iris siberica, Lavandul, Salvia farinacea – and Sedum ‘Hab Grey’.

24 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

and the rusty deadheads of Sedum ‘Hab Grey’. Throughout winter, this bed continues to attract attention because of the foliage color and plant structures. It is amazing how many different perennials are happy in dry sun, as long as the soil is well-drained. Wet roots in winter can be plant killers, so make sure that you are not the “murderer.” Keeping that in mind, along with careful plant selection, and you too can plan twelve months of interest for your clients.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, free-lance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four-season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Bobbie currently serves as chair of the ONLA Plant Selection Committee. Bobbie can be reached at (216) 752-9449.

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The Growing Concern x January 2016 x 25

Better Landscape Trailers Mean Better Productivity BY LMN-LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT NETWORK Keeping your landscape trailer(s) organized can be complicated. The same is true with your shop. You clean it up one week, and three weeks later it looks exactly like it looked before the clean- up. Tools and materials can be found tucked in and around everywhere. No signs to indicate where things belong. No designated place for anything… stuff is put back “wherever it will fit.” When I see companies with shops and trailers kept like this, one thing comes to mind…waste. And how much time, energy and lost sales opportunity is wasted because crews are: • Taking too long to find the right tools and materials • Taking too many trips to vendors because they don’t find out they’re missing tools/materials until they go to use them • Constantly working without the correct tools/materials and losing productivity •D oing work incorrectly/taking shortcuts because they don’t have the necessary tools/equipment – then going back to fix it •C leaning and re-cleaning shops and trailers because there is no system to sustain the system after it’s cleaned up/organized

•B reaking tools and equipment due to poor care/maintenance •L eaving a poor impression with customers and neighbors by leaving open tool trailers out front of sites that ‘show-off’ your company’s disorganization and sloppiness Don’t underestimate that last point. If your trailers and sites are a mess, people will overlook it while the job is going on, but they will not overlook it when it comes to paying that last check. If your crews can’t take care of their own tools/equipment, what does that tell your customers about the level of care invested in doing their jobs with attention to detail? Messy trailers tell your customers and your crews that you’re not in “control.” Neat, organized trailers demonstrate the opposite. continued on page 28

26 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from pg 26 Anytime is a good time to improve your trailer and shop organization, but late winter/early spring – just before work picks up – is the best. Here are a few tips we have on how to organize your landscape trailers for better productivity. The same principles apply to your shop as well. 1. Start with a trailer that looks good on the outside! Your trailers are the cheapest roaming advertising you’ll ever invest in. Make sure they are painted well, that they shout out your image or brand, and that they include website/phone/ email information so people (especially neighbors) can contact you if they like what they see. 2. Now open that trailer and gut it. Pull everything out. Start from scratch. Throw out anything broken or unused. If you haven’t used it in a year, keep it in the shop, you don’t need it taking up space in a trailer. Get rid of anything that’s not useful.

again. Labels take away any excuses for disorganization. If there’s a spot for everything and it’s easy to see, there’s no reason the trailer (or shop) should ever get back to a mess. 7. Check tools and equipment before replacing. Look at the condition of your tools and equipment before reloading your trailer. Look for cracked handles, fraying cords, dirty/clogged filters or triggers…anything that might indicate a safety hazard or potential repair. The last thing you want is someone getting hurt as a result of your equipment. The 2nd last thing you want is losing productivity because of a tool/ equipment that breaks when it’s needed that day on site.

Messy trailers tell your customers and your crews that you’re not in “control.”

3. Think about how to organize a spot for everything. Tools and materials used often should get located closest to the doors. Or if all the equipment is coming off your trailer, organize it by order-of-operations to minimize moving and re-moving tools/ equipment to get at other equipment. Shelves and racks can help you take much better advantage of the space and will help keep things organized. 4. Re-Assess Your Inventory. Is there anything you need to add or re-stock? What unnecessary trips to vendors or shop could you eliminate by having more inventory on your trailer? 5. Sweep and Clean. Give the inside a good sweep and clean. 6. Label everything. Buy a labeler at an office supply store – but buy a good one that can produce durable labels. Put labels on every shelf, drawer, hanger, etc. to indicate exactly what goes there. This step is essential if you don’t want to look in your trailer two months from now to find everything back to a mess

28 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

8. Reload Your Trailers. If you added any new tools/ equipment/materials make sure they were assigned a spot and a label.

9. Assign Accountability. Make it somebody’s job on each crew to be responsible for the upkeep of their trailer. Don’t make it your job to stay on top of this. Hold your assigned people accountable for the upkeep. We prefer to assign this to a crew member, not the foreman. The foreman should be thinking about the job and the goals for the day, not whether the shovels are put back properly. 10. Get Better Results. Better landscape trailers are guaranteed to reduce job completion times, unnecessary trips to and from vendors/ the shop, and tool maintenance and replacement costs. Conversely, better trailers help bolster company image, while increasing employee morale and professionalism.

Landscape Management Network (LMN) is business management and landscape estimating software built by landscape contractors for landscape contractors. For more information about LMN, check out their website at www.landscapemanagementnetwork.com. LMN will be teaching the Build A Better Landscape Business class on January 19 and 20, 2016 for the Ohio Landscape Association in the Cleveland Metropolitan Area. (Location TBD)

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OLA EDUCATION SERIES

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