The Growing Concern January 2017 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

JANUAR Y 2 0 1 7

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

NE Ohio Meeting: Ultimate Networking

January 26, 2017 – Independence, OH PAGE 7

Grow Your Landscape Business Workshop

March 21, 2017 – Featuring Jeffrey Scott SEE PAGE 13

Botson Insurance is the RIGHT CHOICE for Landscapers Insurance.

PROVIDING MORE SAVINGS AND BETTER COVERAGE! knows insurance for “ Greg Design-Build contractors. He has helped me for over 8 years. He gave me much better coverage to protect my equipment and trucks and saved me over 22%. I value our relationship. Bob Oster Green Source, LLC

”

Standard Policy

No No

COVERED RISK

Botson Policy

Replace a lawn that you sprayed with the wrong Pesticides.

Yes

Rebuild a faulty patio/retaining wall your employees built.

Yes

Replace your Large Equipment after a fire or theft with NEW!

Yes

(ODA Compliance coverage)

(Errors and Omissions Coverage)

(Replacement Cost on Equipment)

No No Greg Botson, CIC President 36480 Detroit Rd Avon, OH 44011

Put MONEY back in your pocket!

(Average 22.5% savings)

Rebate check for average 7% for favorable claims experience.

Botson

Yes Yes

INSURANCE

Knowing You.. Protecting You..

botsoninsurancegroup.com • (440) 537-2292

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

CATHY SERAFIN

ASLA, RLA

Suncrest Gardens

THREE R’s FOR YOUR NEW YEAR Welcome to 2017! The Ohio Landscape Association board of directors wishes you and your families happiness and good health in the new year. Thank you for your membership and your continued involvement in our organization. There is strength, knowledge and greatness in our numbers. As we enter the new year, let’s take a moment to reflect, resolve and rejuvenate our spirits.

REFLECTION

RESOLUTION

The new year is a perfect time to reflect back on the past year – everything that happened – good and bad. A favorite teacher of mine in high school used to encourage us to always “be aware of the moment.” As we rush through our crazy work and personal schedules, especially during the busy season, it is easy to just go through the motions of everyday life. It is so very important though to be aware of the minutes, hours and days of our lives. Who did we share our time with daily? How did customers, coworkers and suppliers influence us throughout the year? What new and valuable relationships did we establish? Did we give in our daily interactions as much as we received? As we welcome in a new year, and a new season, reflecting on the past year can help us determine what worked in our personal development and where improvement is needed.

The new year is also a great time to look forward to the months ahead. January 1st will come and go, and most of us will feel compelled to make a list of New Year’s resolutions. Personally, these might include health, financial, or even travel goals. Professionally, resolutions might pertain to increased sales and profit, or better organization and communication skills. While resolutions will certainly vary based on the person, age and position within an organization, they are an important part of the transition into a new year. Don’t waste an opportunity for self-improvement in your life, within your family, and/or your business.Follow up resolutions with a plan. What actions or changes to your normal routine are required to implement your resolutions?

continued on page 6

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 7 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI 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, Jr. 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 Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA, Suncrest Gardens

FEATURES

3 8 14 16 20 24 28 29 30

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Three R’s for Your New Year

PERENNIAL FOCUS

High Performance, Low Maintenance Perennials

FISCAL FITNESS

The Role of Rising Dividends

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org. 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.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

The Mighty Redwoods Subfamily Sequoioideae

OFFICERS President Cathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA

FOR SAFETY SAKE

President-Elect Marie McConnell

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Treasurer Adam Capiccioni

Membership Coordinator Noreen Schraitle

Best Practices: Driving Pickup Trucks Equipped with Snow Plows & Spreaders

FEATURE ARTICLE

Keep Long Hours & Stressful Work from Plaguing Snow Employees

Immediate Past President Bryan Taynor

DIRECTIONS

DIRECTORS Brian Maurer, LIC Doug Ellis Domenic Lauria James Funai, LIC Michael T. Ahern, LIC Steve Moore

ADVERTISING INDEX WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

C AL ENDAR OF EVEN TS UPCO M I N G OLA MEETINGS , EDUC AT I ON SE MI N A R S, A N D OT H E R G R E E N I N D UST R Y EV ENT S

JANUARY

MARCH

JANUARY 16-18, 2017 MGIX – formerly known as CENTS

FEBRUARY 14, 2017 BUSINESS LEGAL CLINIC

MARCH 2, 2017 OLA MEETING (Central Ohio)

Tradeshow with educational sessions held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Visit OLA in Booth #1243. For more information concerning the tradeshow, contact the ONLA at 800-825-5062.

Business Succession & Asset Protection Every business owner needs an estate plan that protects their assets and outlines a strategy for business succession. If you’re considering selling your business or wish to learn about more effective ways to protect your assets, join us for this seminar. We will discuss practical methods for evaluating your company’s worth, and address issues that ensue when an owner dies or decides to sell. In addition, we will discuss ways to safeguard your personal and company assets against creditors, litigation, and divorce. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

Break the rules and win more sales! Features Lewis VanLandingham, Sandler Sales Trainer and CEO of Sharper Edge Advantage, LLC. Hosted & sponsored by Wolf Creek Co. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800335-6521.

JANUARY 17, 2017 OLA HOSPITALITY SUITE Come network with others in the Green Industry. Hosted by OLA. Held at the Hampton Inn and Suites, 501 North High Street, Columbus, OH, 5 pm to 7 pm, across the street from the Columbus Convention Center at the close of MGIX for the day. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-3356521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

JANUARY 26, 2017 OLA MEETING (NE Ohio) Ultimate Networking – Learn From Your Peers. A series of roundtable discussions on various topics to help increase your bottom line. Plus – Member Focus – Learn about our member, Herrick Mann, H.A.M. Landscaping. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 3, 2017 THE GREAT BIG HOME & GARDEN SHOW Explore the 16 Blockbuster Movie! themed gardens created by some of Northeast Ohio’s top landscapers. New in the Garden Showcase this year, you will also be able to tour “The Sunflower” Idea Home built by Blossom Homes. For more info, go to http://www.greatbighomeandgarden.com/

FEBRUARY 22, 2017 OHIO GREEN INDUSTRY ADVOCACY DAY Come to Columbus and meet with your legislators to tell them about the importance of the Green Industry to the State of Ohio. This event takes place at the Ohio State House located in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, contact the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

FEBRUARY 28, 2017 BUSINESS LEGAL CLINIC Contracts, Hiring & Firing Having solid contracts and understanding the laws when hiring employees are paramount to running a good business and avoiding devastating lawsuits. Under Ohio law, you may be personally subjected to 3x damages for failing to include the right consumer language in your contract. Join us and learn the elements of a good contract and how to avoid litigation. In addition, we will discuss the importance of a solid employee handbook and methods of fighting unemployment. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

MARCH 9, 2017 OLA MEETING (NE Ohio) Getting and Keeping the Right Employees, featuring Elise Hara Auvil of EHA Solutions, Ltd. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside in Broadview Hts., OH. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

MARCH 14, 2017 STONE CLINIC Struggling to rockface 2, 2.5 & 3 inch Berea sandstone? Join us for this hands-on clinic where you will learn rockfacing, cutting, dressing, coping, splitting and tooling. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

MARCH 21, 2017 GROW YOUR LANDSCAPE BUSINESS WORKSHOP A 1-day workshop that will help you rapidly build the value and profitability of your business – and bring back the joy of ownership. Speaker: Jeffrey Scott. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521.

MARCH 30, 2017 20th ANNUAL LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS GALA Join Ohio’s landscape community for an elegant, fun-filled night of celebrating LO! winners. Dinner & awards presentation. For more info call the OLA Office at 1-800-335-6521. The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3

As we grow... let’s challenge ourselves to mentor newcomers. Mentoring takes time, patience & understanding , but can produce results that benefit the entire work environment... Gradual changes may be easier to enact with more success. And if you slip into previous patterns, don’t give up or abandon the resolution. When possible, include others as the benefactors of your New Year’s resolutions. Our path of improvement as a person, a parent, a child, a friend, an employee or an employer is also about the quality of our relationships with others. Resolve to be better at home AND at work. As we grow and have more experience, let’s challenge ourselves to mentor newcomers to the landscape profession. Mentoring takes time, patience and understanding, but can produce results that benefit the entire work environment, as well as the industry. Remember, every effort of giving creates valuable compensation in our growth and our relationships.

REJUVENATION The new year gives us a wonderful opportunity to rejuvenate our bodies, minds and spirits. From my perspective, as a Landscape Architect working in the design/build faction of our profession, I welcome the arrival of winter! From the beauty of a new fallen snow to the crisp cold air as we shovel our drive and walks, the winter season provides a whole new set of elements for us to appreciate. After the long stressful hours required in our busy season, a shorter work day allows us time and energy to physically and mentally rejuvenate, recover and re-group for the spring rush. For me, this is the cycle of life in the landscape profession in Ohio. Besides, a more relaxed winter pace gives us time to focus on becoming a stronger, better educated person and landscape professional. After we recover from the hectic lifestyle of our landscape season, let’s use the time to expand our horizons with new experiences and learning opportunities. To the many of you professionals involved in snow and ice operations over the winter months, we thank you for your efforts, hard work and long hours. We know many of you do not relish the arrival of the winter months and weather, but hopefully, in between snow services, you can also take a moment to rejuvenate this winter. My name is Cathy Serafin. I am honored and excited to serve as the president of the Ohio Landscape Association this year. After graduating with a degree from The Ohio State University, I have worked with design/build landscape companies for over 35 years. My responsibilities have included design, sales, project supervision and customer service. When asked to be on the board of directors for the Ohio Landscape Association three years ago, my immediate answer was yes. My work in the landscape profession every day is not only my livelihood, it is my passion. I appreciate this opportunity and feel strongly that if we love what we do, we need to make a contribution to show our gratitude and commitment. I look forward to meeting all of you at our meetings, educational programs and social functions!

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

PL ANTOLA OF TH E M ON THANNOUNCEMENT MEETING

PJANUARY EREN N I A LMEETING F O CU S

2016/2017 NORTH EAST OHIO MEETING SPONSORS EMERALD LEVEL

January 26, 2017

Ultimate Networking

LEARNING FROM YOUR PEERS: A SERIES OF ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS Who knows better than someone who has walked in your shoes? Many of our meeting evaluations have asked for more networking and roundtable discussions. In response, we are focusing the January meeting on networking and sharing in a series of roundtable discussions. You will have the opportunity to discuss, share opinions, strategies, and tactics with your peers during two different networking sessions.

GOLD LEVEL BOTSON INSURANCE GROUP SILVER LEVEL EMMETT EQUIPMENT CO. BRONZE LEVEL DAVIS TREE FARM & NURSERY HEARTLAND LANDOPT MEDINA SOD FARMS VALLEY CITY SUPPLY WOLF CREEK COMPANY CEU CREDITS 1.5 CEU’S

Topics of discussion include: - Recruiting & Retaining Employees - Money Management - Equipment Aquisition - Supplier/Buyer Relationships

- Project Planning - Training / Safety / Insurance - Customer Service - New Trends

- The Owner’s Role - Team Development - New Technologies - And more...

MEMBER FOCUS: HERRICK MANN

Herrick Mann, of H.A.M. Landscaping, developed a fascination with horticulture stemming from his childhood days of pushing a Sears Craftsman mower throughout the Lomond area of Shaker Heights to earn some extra money. After graduating high school, Herrick pursued his B.S. degree in Horticulture while simultaneously building his landscape company. Since, H.A.M. Landscaping Inc. has grown into a full service design-build-maintenance firm. Herrick will share the story of building his company from the ground up.

LOCATION

St. Michael’s Woodside 5025 East Mill Road Broadview Heights, OH

COST

AGENDA

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Registration / Networking Food / Cash bar 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm Installation of 2017 OLA Board of Directors

7:30 pm to 7:45 pm Member Focus: Herrick Mann / H.A.M. Landscaping 7:45 pm to 9:00 pm Program

FREE to OLA Members NON-Members $30

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE! TOLL FREE: 1.800.335.6521

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Although Asclepias tuberosa is usually orange, there is a yellow cultivar called ‘Hello Yellow,’ shown here with Larkspur.

HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW MAINTENANCE PERENNIALS Perennials are the backbone of a flower garden and the icing on the cake of a landscape, yet I find they are often underused because they’re perceived as too much work. However, if the designer chooses well, perennials can be maintained with minimal effort and time. I suggest choosing perennials based on the following factors: long period of bloom, more than one season of interest, little need for deadheading, and strong stems that do not need to be staked. For example, Asclepias tuberosa, a full sun perennial, is in bloom for 6 to 8 weeks – July and August – and even longer if the flowers are deadheaded, thus stimulating another bloom

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

cycle. If you are designing a native plant or butterfly garden, this perennial should head the list since the nectar and pollenladen flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, Monarch butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. The flowers are followed by long pods, offering a second season of interest. I suggest cutting off the pods before they open to prevent seeding. That is, unless you are planning to use the open pods with their silky seeds in dried flower arrangements.

Another example is Chelone ‘Hot Lips’, a full-sun to partial-shade perennial that starts blooming in August and continues through the end of September. I only cut back the stalks in the spring if they haven’t fallen to the ground, because the snow-covered deadheads are an integral part of the winter garden. I’m sure you’ve heard the tongue-in-cheek definition of a perennial, i.e. “A plant that blooms each year, assuming that it survives the winter.” If you select perennials, or biennials that reseed, it doesn’t matter if the mother plant survives because there are always lots of babies. This would not be a choice for neatniks, but I love the fact that the number and location of the babies is a bit different each year. It’s also a way of making a garden look more natural. After all, Mother Nature does not plant in rows or squares; she plants in drifts and weaves her underlings into lovely patterns.

Aquilegia (Columbine) is a prolific reseeder of which there are so many forms, colors, and cultivars from which to choose: singles and doubles plus every color in the rainbow – even some that are bi-colored. It blooms in May and June and will rebloom if deadheaded. The attractive seed pods look like inverted, dried bells. When they open, you can easily see the black seeds. If you prefer not to leave the seed distribution to Mother Nature, you can break off the pods and broadcast the seeds yourself. When not in bloom, the lobed foliage is still very attractive and provides an unusual form that contrasts well with linear and ovate foliage. If you haven’t already compiled a list of low maintenance perennials, visiting public gardens can be an eye opener. Most of these gardens have very low budgets for maintenance, so the plants that are used must be ones that need only minimal attention. For instance, the Toronto continued on page 11 The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 9

Stop for a visit and meet the team! MGIX Midwest Green Industry Experience http://www.mgix17.com/ January 1618, 2017 Greater Columbus Convention Center 400 N High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215 Booth:1925

www.premierplantsolutions.com Experience our services: •A large diverse selection of plant material. •Plant Locator service available for special orders. •Scanning and prepulling orders for quicker turnaround time. •Convienient job site delivery! •Staffed for more personalized attention and quick answers.

Website with 24/7 access to:

Pricing, Plant information, Current availability, Solutions Center, Plant locator information.

Please check out our website for current hours of operation. Avon, Ohio

4825 Center Rd. Avon, Oh. 440110299 Toll Free: 8669344435 ext. 2251 Local: 4409343813 Fax: 4409344621 Bill Owens, Manager

Broadview Heights, Ohio 10001 Broadview Rd Broadview Heights, OH 44147 Phone: 4405268711 Fax: 4405268719 Jared Morfchak, Manager

Columbus, Ohio

6981 Scioto Darby Creek Road Hilliard, Oh. 43026 Toll Free: 8885935999 Local: 6147779859 Fax: 6147771276 Jack Johnston, Manager The Growing Concern | October 2016 | 10

PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 9

This double pink Aquilegia vulgaris has seeded into the sidewalk at the bottom of a hill, echoing the color of the adjacent Geranium sanguineum.

This bed of Leucanthemum superbum, Origanum laevigatum, Pennisetum, Sedum, and Perovskia – still full of color in October.

As the pods age with Asclepias tuberosa, they turn from green to a pinky beige.

The deadheads of Chelone remain well-sculpted throughout the winter months.

Music Garden, designed by Julie Moir Messervy, has large sweeps of perennials and grasses that look good yearround, blooming in succession from June to November. Another example of a high performance/low maintenance landscape is one I designed many years ago for the City of Brecksville’s police department parking lot. It also needed to be a xeriscape since the bed was not irrigated. I filled it with Leucanthemum superbum ‘Becky,’ Origanum laevigatum ‘Herrenhausen’, Pennisetum ‘Hameln,’ Sedum ‘Matrona,’ and Perovskia.

would fit into your design. The exception to the spring scything rule is some of the blue grasses, such as Festuca and Helictotrichon. These grasses should never be pruned. If there are dead leaves, they should be gently removed with gloved fingers (remember that grass foliage has sharp edges). Grasses are the epitome of low maintenance. Next time, I’ll give you several more examples of high performance/low maintenance perennials and grasses. Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts.,

So far, I have concentrated on perennials but the ornamental grasses and sedges are also a mainstay of the high performance/low maintenance garden. Most need only be scythed to the ground in very early spring, before the new growth emerges. The range of heights, bloom time, type and color of inflorescence, and foliage color is quite extensive, so there is sure to be at least one that

Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance 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). She currently serves as chair of the ONLA Plant Selection Committee. She can be reached at (216) 752-9449.

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 11

Mason Steel 7500 Northfield Road â&#x20AC;¢ Walton Hills, OH 44146 12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

(440) 439-1040

www.masonsteel.com

“...Jeffrey’s seminar provide me and my key people EXACTLY what need to do to boost morale, efficiency and profits.” PLweANT OF THcompany E M ON TH - Jim Egan, Land Design Associates, MA

Sponsored by

GROW YOUR LANDSCAPE BUSINESS WORKSHOP

COURSE DATE

MARCH 21, 2017

PUTTING GREAT IDEAS TO WORK

LOCATION

AGENDA

Join us for this 1-day workshop that will help you rapidly build the value and profitability of your business – and bring back the joy of ownership. It covers every aspect of Jeffrey Scott’s Proven 5-Step Business Building Process, and includes his exclusive Grow Your Landscape Business Playbook, a stepby-step guide written specifically for landscape business owners that will ensure your success.

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM PROGRAM

The secret to success in the landscape business comes from 3 critical areas: better people, proven systems, and more profitable sales. In this workshop you’ll discover how to pull all 3 of these together and ignite rapid, profitable growth.

INDEPENDENCE CIVIC CNTR. 6363 SELIG DRIVE INDEPENDENCE, OH 8:00AM - 8:30AM REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST

COST

MEMBERS BEFORE 03/10/17 * GUEST(S) AFTER 03/10/17 * GUEST(S)

- $199 - $129 - $249 - $179

NON MEMBERS BEFORE 03/10/17 * GUEST(S) AFTER 03/10/17 * GUEST(S)

- $249 - $149 - $299 - $199

Jeffrey Scott, MBA, author, coach and Hall-of-Fame Consultant – is the expert in growth and profit maximization in the landscape industry. He grew his landscape company into a successful $10 million enterprise (15 million in today’s dollars), and he’s now devoted to helping others achieve profound success. He facilitates the Leader’s Edge peer group for business owners; his members achieved a 27% profit increase in their first year. To learn more visit www.JeffreyScott.biz. 6 INSTRUCTED BY CEU’S

*Guests must be from same company.

JEFFREY SCOTT

*Guests must be from same company.

Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations 7 days or less prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full.

Payment Received Before 03/10/17

OLA Members

$199 +Guest(s)

$129ea

NON Members

$249 +Guest(s)

$149ea

Payment Received After 03/10/17

OLA Members

$249 +Guest(s)

$179ea

NON Members

$299 +Guest(s)

$199ea

MARCH 14, 2017

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE

FEE

 Check No. ___________ Enclosed

Charge to my  MasterCard

 Visa

Acct. No.

Exp. Date

Name on Card Signature Billing Address + Zipcode for Card

Last Three Digits on Signature Line

FOR MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT, OR TO REGISTER, VISIT WEBSITE The OUR Growing ConcernAT | January 2017 | 13 13 | Official Publication of TheINFORMATION Ohio Landscape Association OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION/GROWYOURBUSINESS

FI SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN King Financial, Inc.

THE ROLE OF RISING DIVIDENDS Last month I talked about the importance of dividends in a balanced portfolio. Now we are going to look at another component of dividends and why they are important. Stock investors generally make money in two ways. One is buying low and selling higher. The other is buying stocks with dividends. Dividends are a distribution, generally in cash, to shareholders of a company’s stock.

dividend. They probably cannot continue to pay that much out in the future. That could lead to a suspension or cut in the dividend and possibly making investors flee the stock even more.

Dividends yields are quoted as a percent of the current market price of the stock. For example, XYZ Company pays out $1.50 per year in dividends and currently trades at $50 per share. It has a dividend yield of 3%. ($1.50/$50)

My strategy has been to find companies that have a history of paying dividends, but also increasing those dividends every year. Of course, I try to find those companies that have sustainable revenue and earnings in the foreseeable future.

So if dividends are so important shouldn’t investors just scour the stock lists and find the companies paying the highest dividend yields? That isn’t usually a great idea. Many of those companies have a high yield because they are in financial trouble and have to offer a high dividend to entice investors. Or, the stock is under pressure and has dropped in price. Let’s use the example above for XYZ Company that had a $1.50 dividend and traded at $50 last year. What if XYZ Company stock dropped to $10 per share? Now it is paying out a 15%

Using XYZ Company again, who paid out $1.50 last year, increased the dividend to $1.65 this year, another increase to $1.85 next year and $2.00 the year after that. Even if the stock never moves from the $50 price, that’s $7.00 in dividends, or a 14% gain over those four years. And, you might expect XYZ Company to keep increasing that dividend. Take it out another ten years at that pace and the dividend would be over $5 per share that year. The stock price would probably reflect that strength in dividend growth by increasing also.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The importance of dividend growth cannot be overlooked. Especially in an investing climate when interest rates are rising. Many high yielding investments will struggle as money flows to growth oriented investments. Investors should recognize the difference between “Dividend Growth” stocks (growth stocks that pay dividends) and stocks that continually grow or increase their dividend. Companies that repeatedly increase their dividends along with some growth should be a cornerstone for investors’ portfolios. Holding these stocks and riding the waves in the market as the compounding of the dividends can return healthy profits over long periods of time. In his 1996 letter to shareholders, Warren Buffett shared this bit of wisdom: “Inactivity strikes us as intelligent behavior. Neither we nor most business managers would dream of feverishly trading highly profitable subsidiaries because a small move in the Federal Reserve’s discount rate was predicted or because some Wall Street pundit had reversed his views on the market.”

FIREPLACE PIZZA OVEN COMBO • •

• •

At Round Grove, you’ll find outdoor fireplaces, pizza ovens, fireplace/ pizza oven combos, and cabinets and wood boxes that are as affordable as they are easy to build. Their units are one-piece, pre-fabricated, and ready-to-finish. Each unit starts with 18-gauge galvanized steel U-channel framing, glass fiber reinforced concrete, and finished with a scratch coat finish.

Also, as I mentioned in last month’s article: “According to Standard & Poor’s, the dividend component was responsible for 44% of the total return of the last 50 years of the index. If we are to analyze the historical profitability of stock investments, this portion cannot be neglected. We’ll also assume the investor is going to reinvest those dividends back into more shares.” As you can see, dividends can play a huge role in the total return of a portfolio. And why not try to invest in the companies that continue to grow their dividends? Talk to your financial advisor about dividend paying stocks, mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds to determine what is right for your portfolio.

available at

Michael J. Donnellan is President of King Financial, Inc., with offices in Strongsville and the M3 Wealth Management office in North Royalton, Ohio specializing in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at (440) 652-6370 or by email at donnellan@ m3wealthmanagement.com. Securities and advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & Company Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

ValleyCitySupply.com 330-483-3400 1323 W River Rd Valley City, OH 44280

(800) 478-0788

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 15

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Older Dawn Redwood trees which retain their lower limbs can develop buttress bases which are much-loved by children.

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

THE MIGHTY REDWOODS SUBFAMILY SEQUOIOIDEAE

A few articles ago we spoke briefly about the amazing growing power of redwood trees while discussing the many ways we can measure the champion trees of the world. Our article then was about the largest living organism on earth, a clonal grove of Quaking Aspen in Utah. A few of the other champion trees we mentioned were “General Sherman,” a Giant Sequoia with over 52,000 cubic feet (almost 2,000 cubic yards of solid wood!) in the main trunk, and “Hyperion,” a Coast Redwood reaching almost 380 feet into the air. In this particular taxonomic group (Sequoioideae), there are only three remaining species still on earth. As members of the Cupressaceae family they have many cousins with several being quite familiar to all of us, such as Juniper, Arborvitae, and Chamaecyparis. Broken down into the subfamily of Sequoioideae, we have the three mighty Redwoods: Sequoia sempervirens (Coast Redwood), Sequoidendron gigantium (Giant Sequoia), and Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood). Each of these three species could have a whole article (or book) dedicated to themselves as each one has a great story to tell.

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The Coast Redwood, aptly named as the only place on earth that it can be found (outside of cultivation), is along the Northern California Coastal Forest Ecoregion. This is a unique habitat on our earth comprising a little more than 5,000 square miles (0.00002% of the earth’s surface). Due to extensive logging, urbanization, and global climate changes, 70% of the total population of this species is gone due to human actions. While these trees can grow in some locations outside of this ecoregion, it is only in this unique combination of heavy fog, high precipitation, and protection from intense wind and rain that the giants can reach into the 300 plus foot range.

Giant Sequoia (aka Giant Redwood or Sierra Redwood) is a beast of a tree with an even smaller range on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. They have been reduced to just over 35,000 acres (less than 2/3 the size of Cleveland) because of human greed. These trees can reach a circumference of over 100 feet around and live for thousands of years. Perhaps one of the most impressive feats of these two species, and the unique locations that they thrive in, is that it is because of the heavy fogs that they can obtain their heights. Even with the incredible negative pressure built in the xylem of trees from water evaporating from the leaves, a tree can only pull water so high. The work around these giants evolved is to condense the fog in their canopy and absorb it through their leaves and even aerial roots hundreds of feet above the ground. In our part of the world, we typically will only come across one of these three, and that was not true until quite recently in our history. While the Dawn Redwood is not able to grow as high, and unlike the other two – is deciduous – it still has a miraculous story to tell.

There are over 20 species of Metasequoia identified by fossil record that had heavy distribution about 60+ million years ago. It was only known as an extinct genus until rediscovery in a small grove in rural China in 1944. In 1948 a group from the Arnold Arboretum visited, obtained cuttings, and became part of the effort to bring this plant back from the brink of destruction. Today, many of us use this magnificent tree that can still reach into the 200-foot range with age and inspire just as much wonder as the giants of the California coast. Regardless of the superlative used or the species in question, champion trees are all very impressive to see. Even more important than the sight of these trees is the genetic resiliency they contain. Think about the champion trees, Redwoods and others, and what they have endured for hundreds and sometimes thousands of years. They are laughing at our sense of impending doom every time our preferred candidate doesn’t win the election. They’ve been dealing with bad political choices of humans ever since we invented the ax. They have experienced a number of climatic changes and evolution pressures and weathered the storms.

continued on page 18

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 17

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH continued from page 17 Unfortunately, being the industrious animals that we are, we have sought the champions for timber and other uses and cut so many of the best and strongest down. While we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know exactly how much we hindered our treesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ability to survive the changing climate conditions, what we can do is act now to improve their chances. There is a great project underway by a group called the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. Their mission is to find the champion trees still surviving and make genetic clones of them and then spread those clones as far and wide as possible. The hope is that by using the built in toughness that these trees have demonstrated, we can help them survive the pressures of living with humans. We know that trees are the greatest sink of excess carbon (think how much one Redwood is packing in) and that they are so crucial to our wellbeing, property value, stormwater mitigation, heat mitigation, and so many other benefits that we are still investigating.

how we can make a positive impact on the future of our planet by planting healthy trees while so many others seem to prefer crossing their arms and pretending everything is status quo. We hope that if you know of some champion trees that can be cloned and spread across the region you will share them with us. Feel free to reach out and help in this important mission to help plant more trees on this great earth that we all must share. One of the worst things we can do as an industry is allow such amazing trees like the Redwoods to become extinct. Just remember the great success story of the Dawn Redwood and help other trees do the same! 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

We are excited to be teaming up with this great group from Archangel to help collect and propagate the great trees of the world and hopefully build living libraries of these superior genetics. We will be using this as an opportunity to educate our youth on the importance of understanding plant genetics, evolution, and

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which 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.

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 19

FOR SAFETY SAKE

BEST PRACTICES Driving Pickup Trucks Equipped with Snow Plows & Spreaders Efficiency is a key fact of life for any snow professional who wants to stay profitable and competitive. However, often times, efficiency is valued higher than safety when the pressure is on, and operators don’t always follow some basic best practices related to driving trucks equipped with plows and spreaders. Pickup truck snow plow operators should always make sure they follow some basic best practices related to driving trucks equipped with plows and spreaders. Always train your drivers to follow these basic guidelines:

• Before the vehicle is put in motion, ensure that all snow • • • •

and ice accumulation is removed from windows and mirrors; visibility is key. Never exceed posted speed limits. Your maximum transport speed should be 45 mph, and even slower during adverse conditions. Always wear a seat belt. Always use caution flashers, strobes or warning lights when actively plowing. A good rule of thumb while plowing is to not exceed 10 mph.

The basics are pretty straightforward, but when it comes to transporting the plow, different strategies exist.

TO ANGLE OR NOT TO ANGLE? It seems a simple question, should I angle the blade while I am driving between sites and the plow is up, or leave it straight? However, the details are tricky, and there are many differing opinions related to this concept. From a straight safety standpoint, here are some basics: For v-plows, position the plow in V and ensure that it is high enough from the road so that it will not come into contact with the surface even if you hit a major bump or pothole. Watch the wings on trucks that sit lower to the ground, as they are potentially more prone to scraping the surface while in transport. continued on page 23

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS Looking for Classified and Help Wanted ads? Want to post one of your own? You’ll find them at ohiolandscapers.org or myohiolandscape.com. HELP WANTED ADS Help Wanted ads are posted on both our industry website and our consumer website, along with bi-monthly postings via social media. CLASSIFIED ADS (I.E. Equipment for sale) Classified ads are posted on our industry website ohiolandscapers.org COST MEMBERS: $35 plus $3 for each 10 words for 30 days. NON MEMBER: $70 plus $3 for each 10 words for 30 days. Please send all inquiries and ad content to: info@ohiolandscapers.org or call the OLA office at 440-717-0002.

1-866-666-SALT (7258) DRY BULK SALT & BAGGED MATERIAL 24 hour / 7 days a week availability 10-25 ton dry salt—same day delivery pick up of bulk salt every order weighed and ticketed state

- approved scale / delivery of bagged salt or deicing material

pickup

volume discounts available we supply clearlane™ enhanced deicer by cargill a sodium and magnesium blend

bagged deicing chemicals

DOME LOCATION 11444 Brookpark Rd • Brooklyn, OH, 44130

ROYALTON SUPPLY LOCATION 11528 Royalton Rd, North Royalton, OH 44133

The Growing Concern | January 2017 | 21

PL ANT OF TH E MEDUCATION ON TH OLA SERIES