The Growing Concern March 2021 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

MAR C H 2 0 2 1

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 Meeting: The Power of Attitude March 11, 2021 / WEBINAR (MARVIN MONTGOMERY)

OLA Meeting: Rebuilding Based On Necessity April 22, 2021 / WEBINAR (JOE SCHILL) / PAGE 7

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

JAMES FUNAI, PhD.

SHOW UP FOR PRACTICE,TODAY!

Cuyahoga Community College

Words can be slippery little things. Take the word “practice” for example. The saying “Practice Makes Perfect” is a generally well-known statement, though when taken literally, sets up an almost unattainable outcome. Does this colloquialism mean that if we keep trying something over, and over, and over again, that inevitably – one day – we will be considered perfect? Or, does it imply that if something doesn’t turn out perfect, it’s because we simply didn’t apply ourselves enough? Personally, I’m not one to pursue perfection – I like to reach my goals – but instead, I like to execute a great practice session each and every day. The original meaning of the word practice (taken from the Oxford English Dictionary) is “to perform (an activity), or exercise (a skill) repeatedly (or regularly) in order to acquire, improve, or maintain proficiency in it.” In this sense, I start out each day by reviewing everything I need to accomplish. I then plan out how I will complete each task. And finally, at the end of the day, I analyze how everything went; feeling great about the things I nailed and considering how to improve what didn’t go quite right. I’m practicing. For me, focusing on doing my absolute best, while allowing myself to not hold perfection as the standard, allows me to be happy when I do something great. It also encourages me to improve when I fall a short, rather than beat myself up over it. If I’m being honest, I have to remind myself to “practice” this way

of thinking daily, because it is in our American DNA to work ourselves into the ground in the pursuit of perfection. In short, I choose to practice each day so that I can maintain balance, because I’ve found that focusing my energy on the pursuit of improvement – rather than perfection – throws a lot of added stress out the door. Here, in America, we tend to think of sports as the ultimate example of practice followed by performance. In any sport, there’s a defined competition which measures performance, and that level of performance is usually attributed to how the athlete practices. Going back to our statement, “Practice Makes Perfect”, that’s all well and good if an athlete only competes once and then retires. However, athletes have far more than one performance and are constantly practicing. continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS M A R C H 2 0 2 1 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 DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb COVER: Landscape Ohio! Awards Merit Award winner, Sasak Landscaping, for their entry in the category of Residential Installation.

FEATURES

3 8 12 16 20 24 28 34 35 35

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Show Up for Practice, Today!

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Who’s a Toughie?

FISCAL FITNESS

The Rule of 72

FEATURE ARTICLE

Periodical Cicadas Emerging Spring of 2021

FOR SAFETY SAKE

Safe Lawn Care Chemical Use

PLANT OF THE MONTH

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. OFFICERS President James Funai, PhD.

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

President – Elect Brian Maurer, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Willowleaf & Oriental Spicebush: Two Great Asian Spicebushes

Treasurer Stephanie Gray, LIC

FEATURE ARTICLE

Immediate Past President Domenic Lauria

Can Employers Require Workers to Get the Covid-19 Vaccine?

DIRECTIONS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

DIRECTORS Brandon Barker Keith Clapper Ryan Drake Cameron Maneri Rob Morel Jeff Rupp

C AL ENDAR OF EVENTS U P CO M I N G O L A MEETINGS , EDUC ATION SE MI N A R S, A ND O TH ER GREEN INDUS TR Y EVE N T S

MARCH MARCH 11, 2021 OLA MEETING (WEBINAR) – Featuring Marvin Montgomery There are so many times in life that we sit back and wait for good things to come our way. Yet, it’s inevitable that storms will come into our lives as well, and there is little we can do to prevent them. Join us as Marvin Montgomery delivers a motivating presentation covering 7 Ways To Create and Sustain a Positive Attitude, even when things aren’t going our way. Note: Due to state social distancing guidelines, this event will be held via webinar in order to accommodate all of our members.

APRIL APRIL 22, 2021 OLA MEETING (WEBINAR) – Featuring Joe Schill Joe Schill (President & Founder of Green Impressions) will discuss the challenges of re-building a company from the ground up; why it was necessary in order to better serve his clients; and how creating & implementing an organizational chart allowed his company to focus on hiring & restructuring based on need. Note: Due to state social distancing guidelines, this event will be held via webinar in order to accommodate all of our members.

JUNE JUNE 24, 2021 OLA LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS GALA This year’s Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala has been moved from our normal March date to June 24th, in effort to conform with current Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. Until further notice, this event will be limited to those companies – and their employees – who entered the program, along with sponsors of the event. If this changes, we will notify all of our members, as soon as possible.

JULY JULY 13, 2021 (N.E. OHIO) – TENTATIVE JULY 15, 2021 (CENTRAL OHIO) – TENTATIVE PLANT I.D. CLINIC This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test. Sponsored and hosted by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery & Premier Plant Solutions. Note: Due to social distancing guidelines, space may be limited. The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N continued from page 3 To illustrate; Years ago, when I ran track, I was a distance runner with above average ability, but I didn’t always finish first. In running, we set our goals based on something called a PR, or personal record. Reaching a PR is something a runner should feel great about; as it is the best that an individual has ever performed in that specific race. However, once a runner reaches a PR, the idea is to continue practicing so they may break that PR and set a new one, and a new one after that, and so on. This encourages a cycle of working hard towards constant improvement, not just the pursuit of singular perfection. Going forward, I want to encourage everyone to try this out for a week to see how it works for them. First, set a goal for a personal record in some part of you day. Then, practice reaching, or surpassing that goal each day. It could be something as simple as practicing how you handle distractions – like your phone and how it sucks away your productivity without giving you anything in return. Once you get into this routine, move onto some larger goals. Over three articles, I have asked three things of each of you. We should all be reaching out to a local school to help build our

youth into a new workforce. We should all be have identifying someone in our company to be a mentor to and help build their career. And now, we should all be spending some time, every day, focusing on building ourselves up and celebrating our practice of making the world a better place – one plant and brick at a time. The next logical step will be helping others along this journey, and one of the best ways you can do that it to get involved with YOUR association. If you would like to step up to help our incredible organization, shoot me an email and I’ll help you identify a committee to join. We’re already builders of beautiful landscapes. Let’s also be builders of great people! To quote Woody Allen, “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” To me, this quote is about forgiveness. I make plans; I have goals; I work hard to reach them. More often than not though, there are times I fall short for reasons both in and out of my control. I can get mad about it (and have plenty of times) but that doesn’t change the outcome. In these instances, I try to laugh WITH God. I did everything I could to reach my goal, had a great practice session, took the time to learn, and I’ll have at it again, tomorrow. I’m exercising my skill repeatedly. I’m practicing. ‘Til next month…

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6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION APRIL 22, 2021 OLA WEBINAR

AGENDA OLA MEETING 3:00 PM TO 3:15 PM PROGRAM 3:15 PM TO 4:45 PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY APRIL 15, 2021

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Re-Evaluating your Company & Hiring for Need Due to current Covid-19 Social Distancing Guidelines, our 2021 April Meeting will be held as a Live Webinar Event and will feature Joe Schill, President & Founder of Green Impressions. Building a company from the ground-up can be a significant challenge... but doing it twice? Join the OLA as we welcome long-time member – and good friend – Joe Schill (President & Founder of Green Impressions) as he discusses the challenges of re-building a company from the ground up; why it was necessary in order to better serve his clients; and how creating & implementing an organizational chart allowed his company to focus on hiring & restructuring based on need. Joe will discuss: • Why re-building was necessary and what led to the decision. • How re-building has allowed his company to better serve its clients. • Why creating an organizational chart was necessary. • How that chart allows his company to determine needs & fill key roles. • How all of this has led to the company’s continued success. Join us April 22, 2021!

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PRESENTED BY

JOSEPH SCHILL / GREEN IMPRESSIONS, LLC

Joe Schill is the Founder and President of Green Impressions, LLC. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Bluffton College, and with over 25 years of experience in the field, Joe has shown that he is truly passionate about landscaping, his clients, his employees and doing the job right. Joe is the Co-Founder and Former President of Schill Landscaping, which he helped grow substantially into two distinct divisions that served both the residential and commercial markets. The two divisions were split to form separate companies in 2011, in order to serve residential and commercial customers more efficiently. Green Impressions serves residential landscaping and residential maintenance clients for all their landscaping needs, and Schill Grounds Management focuses on commercial properties clients.

PRESENTED BY

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Sedum ‘Pillow Talk’

WHO’S A TOUGHIE? The definition of tough is “strong enough to withstand adverse conditions.” In the plant world, we are always searching for plants that are tough, so that they may not only survive, but thrive in challenging situations. There are two situations that I find the most challenging: dry sun and dry shade. I speak from my own experiences in my gardens, most of which are irrigated. However, there are some spots where the irrigation doesn’t reach, or that are beyond the irrigated zones. So, here are some toughies I might suggest. Many Sedums qualify; in fact, the worst thing you can do to a Sedum is overwater it. Relatively new to the market is Sedum ‘Pillow Talk’, introduced by my friend Brent Horvath, of Intrinsic Gardens. It has purple-red stems with fleshy, graygreen foliage that can develop a reddish edge as the season progresses. The foliage is crowned in late summer and fall with 5 to 6 inch dark pink-to-magenta blooms that are extremely attractive to pollinators. ‘Pillow Talk’ is reputed to be more resistant to Rhizoctonia and other fungal diseases, and the deer have ignored it in my garden, perhaps because it is hidden at the base of Ancient Burning Bushes. Although mature height is

supposed to be 20 inches, mine is a mere 10 inches, probably because it gets no water, unless there is rain. The roots of my Burning Bushes suck up most of that moisture. In addition, it faces east and is partly shaded by the foliage of these bushes. Another perennial that is happy in either situation is Campanula ‘Purple Sensation’. It has evergreen, serrated foliage and large purple, down-facing, elongated bells that bloom all summer. Although the bloom stalks are usually eighteen inches tall, the foliage remains close to the ground and acts as an excellent weed suppressor. The basal leaves are rounded while the upper continued on page 10

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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AVON | BROADVIEW | HILLIARD

PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 8 leaves are more ovate. This perennial will fill in faster if given lots of moisture but, once established, it survives easily without supplemental water. Campanula ‘Sarastro’ is similar in all respects except height, possibly a bit shorter.

The first three toughies I’ve described are ones that are not readily available through Ohio growers (my source has been Digging Dog in California), but the fourth is one that I’m pretty sure you all know – Hellebores.

Campanula ‘Purple Sensation’

I’ve grown a variety of species and cultivars of Hellebores for years, some in irrigated spots, some in non-irrigated spots, some in full shade, and some in part shade. All of them thrived and some, particularly the H. orientalis straight species, have seeded voluminously. All have large, leathery, divided, evergreen leaves that readily cover the ground. If they become desiccated by winter sun – and I have time – I prune them off. Most of the time, I just let the new foliage cover the old. Bloom times vary by location. The ones that face south usually bloom in March, but the north facing ones, shaded by old Pieris, usually bloom around May. The blooms of Helleborus orientalis are, most often, downward facing pink, but they could also be white or cream.

Most of us are not familiar with the genus Eriogonum (Wild Buckwheat) because most species are native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico where it grows on scrubby slopes and in chaparral and dry washes. However, Eriogonum allenii (Yellow Buckwheat) is native to the shale barrens of Virginia and West Virginia and is hardy to zone 5. It stays relatively short at 16 inches, has exceptional drought tolerance, and attracts bees and butterflies. I planted it at the edge of a southeast facing bed where the irrigation never seems to reach. Its yellow umbels bloom supposedly from July through September (mine doesn’t bloom until August) above a dense low growing rosette of gray-green paddle-like leaves.

Helleborus orientalis

Hybrids of Hellebores that have done particularly well for me are ‘Blue Lady’ (that has seeded a bit), Frostkiss ‘Molly’s White’ (white flowers and variegated foliage), and ‘Red Racer’ which is taller than the others, initially has dark foliage, has dark red flowers that eventually turn purple, and isone of the latest to bloom. Some of the Helleborus niger ‘HGC series’ are much earlier bloomers. ‘Josef Lemper’ has bloomed as early as midDecember for me, but I suspect this year, with so much cold and snow, it will be February before I see its flowers.

Eriogonum allenii ‘Little Rascal’

I’m sure you could add to the list of toughies, but hopefully there’s a few new ones here that help in challenging situations.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., 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). Bobbie’s new book, Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams, was published in November 2017 by Timber Press.

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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Helleborus HGC “Joseph Lemper’ was taken March 1, 2020.

VISIT WWW.OLIGERSEED.COM The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 11

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

THE RULE OF 72 If you put your money in the right places, it can grow substantially over time, thanks to the power of compound interest. It could even double, while you don’t have to do a thing. Want to figure out just how fast your money could grow? The “Rule of 72” approximates how many years it will take for your money to double, given a fixed rate of return. By dividing 72 by the annual rate of return, investors obtain a rough estimate of how many years it will take for the initial investment to duplicate itself The formula is simple: 72 / interest rate = years to double Try plugging in various interest rates from the different accounts your money is in, from savings and money market accounts to index and mutual funds. For example, if your account earns:

2%, it takes 36 years for your money to double (72/2 = 36) 3%, it takes 24 years for your money to double (72/3 = 24) 6%, it takes 12 years for your money to double (72/6 = 12) 12%, it takes 6 years for your money to double (72/12 = 6) 18%, it takes 4 years for your money to double (72/18 = 4)

EXAMPLE Earning 8% each year for 9 years. Starting with $10,000. After (1) year = $10,800 After (2) years = $11,664 After (3) years = $12,597 After (4) years = $13,605 After (5) years = $14,693

After (6) years = $15,869 After (7) years = $17,138 After (8) years = $18,509 After (9) years = $19,990 continued on page 14

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 12 You can use this quick calculation if you are an investor in an employer-sponsored plan, a traditional or Roth IRA, an individual brokerage account or somewhere else. The average annualized total return for the S&P 500 index over the past 100 years is approximately 9%. Adjusted for inflation, it still comes to an annual return of around 7%. If you earn 7%, your money will double in a little over 10 years. Here’s another real world example… Say you doubled your money every decade by obtaining a rate of return of 7.2% each year… Imagine that you invest $10,000 at age 20. By age 30, you will have $20,000. At 40, you’ll have $40,000. At 50, that becomes $80,000. By age 60, when you’re nearing retirement, you’ll have grown your initial $10,000 investment into $160,000. If your money sits in a standard savings account and earns just 0.09%, it would take approximately 800 years to double! You can also use the Rule of 72 to plug in interest rates from credit card debt, a car loan, home mortgage, or student loan to figure out how many years it’ll take your money to double for someone else. Let’s use an example of credit card debt. What if you are paying the average 17% interest rate on your credit card debt? If you divide 72 by that rate, you get 4.24 years. That’s all it takes for a credit card company to earn double your money. The higher the interest rate, the more you’ll owe to your lenders. If you have debt, look into the possibility of refinancing your car loan or mortgage to get a lower interest rate.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

If you understand the Rule of 72 and apply it to your personal finances, you’re less likely to fall for gimmicky promotions from banks, settle for opportunities that don’t give you the advantage, and take on debt that might take forever to pay off. The rule of 72 teaches you how to double your money, but it’s up to you to take action. Invest in the broad market, stay patient through volatile upward and downward swings, and reinvest your gains. Discuss with your financial professionals and tax advisors, to determine your specific needs and goals. Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary. Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The M3 Wealth Management Office does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management office at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio. Phone number (440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com Securities & advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & Co. Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (800) 478-0788

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The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 15

FEATURE ARTI CLE

TINA GRAVER Thrive Lawn & Plant Healthcare

PERIODICAL CICADAS EMERGING SPRING OF 2021 After entering the ground back in 2004, Brood X of the Periodical Cicada is set to emerge once again, in the spring of 2021. Brood X is one of 3 broods of 17-year Cicadas and is made up of 3 separate species of Cicada: Magiciada septendecim, M. cassini and M. septendecula. This spring, trillions – yes, literally trillions – of Brood X Cicadas will emerge.

WHAT TO EXPECT • • • •

Lots and lots of cicadas! As many as 1.4 million nymphs could emerge, per acre. Noise! Both males and females will call to attract one another at anywhere between 80 to 100 decibels. Injury to woody plants. Females can girdle small stems when they lay their eggs. A mess. Between live Cicadas, Cicada exoskeletons, dead Cicadas and broken branches, there will be mess to clean up.

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The feeding activity of the nymphs and adults is not of concern to woody plants. Rather, it is the egg laying activities by the female that causes the problem. Once the Cicadas mate, the females will move to the thin branches of trees where they will then slice the branches to insert these eggs. Each mass that they insert carries, roughly, about 20-30 individual eggs. The individual slices from the female can girdle and kill the continued on page 18 terminals of these branches.

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

A female Cicada slices the thin branches of a tree to insert her fertilized eggs.

continued from page 16 At first, the terminal branches will become weak and droop. This is called flagging. Once the flagging branches turn brown – on a mature tree – the dead terminals may break off, or become structurally compromised. A mature tree, as a whole, will survive the egg laying. However, small trees, on the other hand, may succumb completely. From past studies, it appears that Cicadas do favor trees with a more open form, as opposed to busy, and prefer branches in sunny areas. This does put nursery stock and new installs at more of a risk.

WHEN TO EXPECT THEM Brood X of the Periodical Cicada will begin to appear in our state right around the time when soil temperatures reach around 64 degrees Fahrenheit. In Ohio, those temperatures tend to be reached in late April thru early May. There will of course be stragglers!

WHERE TO EXPECT THEM The map to the far right depicts the areas that are expected to be effected by Brood X (Bright Yellow). In Ohio, these areas are mostly located throughout the southern and western parts of the state, including; Defiance, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Logan and Montgomery Counties.

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Accurate mapping is essential for helping plan for each event. Researchers are particularly interested in mapping stragglers and identifying sub species of Cicadas.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR WOODY PLANTS There is no evidence that foliar sprays of synthetic pyrethroids or carbamate products have any effect on Cicadas. Not only are these very large insects, they fly, and they can be relatively high up in trees. Even if there were evidence that sprays worked, the logistics of spraying and the safety of such sprays rule them out. It particular, keep in mind that Cicadas are eaten by EVERYTHING! Birds, snakes, turtles, fish, skunks and other small mammals eat them. Other insects, such as ants, stink bugs and spiders look forward to having a Cicada for dinner. even cats and dogs are likely to try a catch them. That said, as is true in all cases, it is important to consider the impact that pesticide use could have on other creatures who may be in contact with the Cicadas after they are sprayed. There is some evidence that Imidacloprid, used as a soil drench/injection, may have some effect in controlling Cicadas,

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One point to consider is the time it takes for imidacloprid to work through trees. Another point to consider is time it takes to treat a tree vs. the time it takes to net one, along with the costs of the pesticides vs. the cost of the netting. Finally, because netted trees were completely protected with none of the secondary effects pesticide use, it becomes pretty clear that netting is the way to go. In fact, netting has been found to be the most effective way to protect young trees from Cicada damage. Studies find that trees netted with 1.0 cm mesh show almost no signs of damage. Note: Mesh sizes 2.5 cm and above have little-to-no effect, as the Cicada are able to work their ways through it. As we move into March, and spring approaches, the time to start having this conversation with your clients is now!

= Brood X of the Periodical Cicada

The information in this article was compiled by Tina Graver, Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Care Safety Professional, and Ohio-licensed in Pesticide Application. Tina is the Coordinator for Thrive Lawn and Plant Health Care, a healthcare company specializing in the care and health of plant life. In addition to facilitating everything from the products and materials used, to the equipment procured, she’s been instrumental in analyzing and revitalizing Thrive’s Lawn and Plant Health Care programs.

The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 19

F OR SAFETY SAK E

SAFE LAWN CARE CHEMICAL USE Landscaping employees often work with chemicals, including industry-specific chemicals such as fertilizers, weed killers, and various pesticides that are considered hazardous. Safe chemical use is essential when working, protecting both the employee and anyone else close to the job site or workspace. LANDSCAPING EMPLOYEE TRAINING

DEVELOP A SPILL PLAN

First and foremost, one of the most critical components of safe chemical use is proper employee training. Adequate training covers correct application methods as well as the following safety points. All new employees require company-specific safety training, and refresher courses help all employees, regardless of their skill level or time employed.

Construct a company spill plan that outlines the specific protocol to be followed in the event of a chemical spill. Include detailed information on product clean up, disposal, and decontamination. Also, specify in the spill plan when evacuations are necessary, how to conduct evacuations, and whom to contact when spills occur. continued on page 22

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 20 MAINTAIN SAFETY DATA SHEETS (SDS)

APPLY CHEMICALS IN FAVORABLE CONDITIONS

A copy of current safety data sheets is required in the workplace for any hazardous chemicals used by employees on the job site or around the shop. Safety data sheets align with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and provide information on the safe use, handling, and storage of hazardous chemicals. Obtain SDSs through the chemical manufacturer; store them as a paper or electronic copy.

Timing the applications of chemicals such as weed killers, fertilizers and pesticides is a critical component of safe chemical use. Only apply chemicals to lawns or landscapes under fair climate conditions. Avoid application when it is windy, or raining. Wind allows for product to “drift”, while rain washes chemicals away from the intended surfaces. You could potentially contaminate neighboring plants, water sources and other items that may react poorly to such chemicals.

FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS

MINIMIZE PERSONAL EXPOSURE

Every chemical product used in the landscaping industry has explicit instructions on the label for mixing/diluting the product and an application protocol. Always follow label directions closely, never mixing the product stronger than recommended, or applying at a higher rate.

Instruct your employees never to eat, smoke, or drink while working with, or applying chemicals. They should know to avoid touching their face, mouth, or nose, especially when wearing gloves that may be contaminated. After any chemical application, they should know to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water, in order to remove any left over residues.

WEAR APPROPRIATE PPE Any time employees are mixing, applying, or disposing of chemicals, require that they wear appropriate personal protection equipment. PPE protects the applicator from harmful inhalation or accidental contact with the skin or mucous membranes. At minimal, mandate the use of eye protection, chemical-resistant gloves, long sleeves and pants, and a face mask or respirator.

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

SECURE CHEMICAL TRANSPORT When transporting chemicals in company vehicles, never transport them in the cab of the truck. Ensure the lids are tightened and place them in the truck’s bed or equipment trailer for transport. Protect chemicals from weather and secure containers to prevent movement.

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In the event of a spill, proper response and clean up are essential to prevent further danger to employees, or the environment. The specifics of the steps vary depending upon the type of spill, but address every spill using the following three-pronged approach:

Due to their chemical contents, liquid fertilizer, weed killer, and pesticides containers often require specific disposal methods. Never throw containers away without following label directions, local laws, and environmental regulations. Never burn or incinerate chemical containers as the fumes are toxic. In many states, programs are in place to safely dispose of unused pesticides or empty pesticide containers.

•

Control – This step ensures the spill, or situation, doesn’t get any worse than it already is. Place the lid tightly on the container, and upright the tipped container if possible. Wearing the appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), immediately shut off any ignition sources capable of creating a spark. Contain – After addressing the immediate safety concerns of the spill, switch focus to keeping the spill from spreading further, or contaminating adjacent surfaces. Starting from the perimeter, spread absorbent material or neutralizing product on the spill, working towards the center. If possible, block access to the spill, preventing others from contacting the hazardous substance. Clean – Collect the absorbent or neutralizing material, discarding it in a protective container such as a lidded pail, or drum according to local laws or environmental regulations. Also, dispose of contaminated rags, gloves, brooms, dustpans, etc., used in the clean-up.

Protect your crew members and clients’ health and avoid accidental harmful exposure to lawn care chemicals by following the tips above. Special Note: The State of Ohio requires a commercial applicators license to apply pesticides, herbicides, or preemergents for hire.

This article was written by Michael Finati, who serves as program manager for the LandPro program for the NIP Group. NIP Group is a specialized business insurance and risk management intermediary ranked among the 100 largest in the United States. They are known for our entrepreneurial spirit, ability to innovate, and unique depth of knowledge in key markets, such as the landscape Industry. For more information, visit www.nipgroup.com.

The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 23

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, Ph.D

Cuyahoga Community College Lindera glauca variety salicifolia (Willowleaf Spicebush).

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

WILLOWLEAF & ORIENTAL SPICEBUSH TWO GREAT ASIAN SPICEBUSHES

Not long after you read this article, our native Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) will begin to welcome spring across Ohio’s woodlands with soft-yellow, mildly-fragrant flowers on a 6 to 8 foot shrub. While we love the flowers and bright-red fall fruits of our native shrubs, they do tend to grow a little more “open and irregular” than is appropriate for the formal landscape. We can already hear some of you saying, “But it’s a key host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus), so you better NOT recommend a different plant!” Hear us out… For those who don’t know, Spicebush Swallowtails are beautiful butterflies that could use our help in preserving their host species, which is more than just the Spicebush. Hosts for this insect vary from Bay Trees (Persea sp.) in the south to Sassafras and Lindera in the north. All host plants are in the Lauraceae (Laurel) family, which also includes Cinnamomum (Cinnamon and Camphor), as well as Persea americana (Avocado). In Ohio, the hosts are Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) and Sassafras albidum (Sassafras).

In discussing this month’s plants of the month, it’s important to understand that we’re often inundated with assumptions passed off as fact. In this scenario, it’s the notion that only native plants can support native wildlife. Yet, there are far too many examples that prove this narrative wrong, which should be good news. This month’s plants, Lindera glauca variety salicifolia (willowleaf spicebush) and Lindera angustifolia (Oriental spicebush) also support this native butterfly. Keep in mind, our approach isn’t one of native vs. non. It is one continued on page 26

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 25 12/16/2015 3:27:07 PM

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 24 focused on finding plants that will improve the ecosystem and look good doing it in our built landscapes, and these two Spicebushes will do just that! Bill Hendricks took us on a tour of a field planting of these shrubs in November of last year and it immediately became clear why he would recommend these plants. We were on the tail-end of the fall color display these specimens put on, which is an insanely fiery-orange, usually with hints of yellow, red, and purple tones in Willowleaf; more towards the reds with Oriental. In a cage match, these plants would destroy boring, old Burning Bush. In addition, the leaves stay on the shrubs and turn a very pleasant light brown/tan color, hanging out for the winter season. We were reminded of Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) in winter, but about twice the size of the Oak leaves. Once spring rolls around, these plants display the same beautiful, yellow flowers as our native Spicebush (Bill notes without the scent though). This is followed by much glossier, deep-green, Willow-like leaves, providing the perfect backdrop for later spring and summer blooming shrubs and perennials. In late summer, small, round, black fruits show up just before that killer fall color we spoke of. Folks, this is true four-season interest!

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Both species are going to grow into the 6 to 10 foot range, with a width about three quarters the height. Both species are also quite durable and will grow in fairly exposed sites, staying essentially pest and disease free. When sited correctly in the landscape for their ultimate size, they become stick it in the ground and enjoy it plants. This is a stark contrast to our native Spicebush, which doesn’t thrive in exposed sites. The name Lindera is a nod to the Swedish botanist, Johann Linder (1676-1723). Angustifolia means narrow (angust) leaf (folia) while glauca is used to describe something that is gray or blueish in color. Salicifolia means leaf like a willow. Just before wrapping up our article, Bill came across some taxonomist insanity where they had begun to dive deeper into the DNA of these plants. It appears that there may be some debate about the naming of them. While some taxonomists argue that Willowleaf should be placed as a variety under L. angustifolia, based on observable traits, other “new taxonomists,” the ones who are obsessed with DNA, argue otherwise. This will undoubtedly lead to name changes that don’t make sense to those of us looking at these plants. Hopefully it gets sorted out and we become better at analyzing DNA from larger pools of plants, before they get

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all excited and change names – again. For the time being, expect to see them listed as Lindera angustifolia and Lindera glauca var. salicifolia. In closing, while names will be debated, the key item we suggest considering when choosing one, or the other, is focusing on the fall color you want. If you want reds, pick L. angustifolia. If you want an amazing range of oranges, pick L. glauca var salicifolia. Both will give you the same size, flowers, and winter features. In our mission to increase diversity of plants in our landscapes, Bill summed it up best when he said, “Like so many other good plants, the major drawback is the lack of knowledge concerning how easy theses are to grow and how effective they can be in the landscape. Once you see them with their autumn display, you will be hooked!” Jim Funai, PhD. is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in horticulture degree program. He has a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is 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.

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

Can Employers Require Workers To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? LET’S JUST SAY, “IT’S COMPLICATED.”

The more people get vaccinated, the quicker the coronavirus pandemic can be tamped down and life can return to normal — that’s how vaccines work. Some airlines are already starting to require flyers to show proof they’ve tested negative. And soon, airlines, sports arenas and entertainment venues may ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. International travelers to certain countries have likely had to show proof of the required vaccines. Children have to obtain certain shots at most schools. But can an employer require employees to roll up their sleeves and get the COVID-19 vaccine? The legality around the question is being debated by ethicists. The U.S. government has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which may complicate things further, says Dorit Reiss, law professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who specializes in vaccine law policy. On one hand, she says, the law says vaccine recipients need to be informed that they can refuse the shot and any consequences of that decision, implying recipients have a choice in the matter, Reiss says.

But the law also gives “conflicting and/or mixed signals” to employers, she says. “On the other hand, the law does say that there could be consequences, but says nothing about employers,” she explains. Mandating a coronavirus vaccine hasn’t been before a court, meaning there are no rulings to help guide employers in their decisions. Because the COVID-19 vaccine is so new and hasn’t completed two years of testing, it might not be legal to require it, she says. continued on page 30

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 29

F EATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 28 Dr. Arthur Caplan, a top medical ethicist, has said an EUA vaccine requirement would never hold up to a legal challenge. Law professor Peter Meyers of George Washington University Law School has said the Food and Drug Administration’s Fact Sheet notes that the recipient, or their caregiver, has the option to accept or refuse the Pfizer vaccine. Reiss says yes, the law says you have the right to refuse, but it doesn’t guarantee that you still have the right to work. “Employers, especially private employers, have the right to decide who will work for them,” she says. On top of ethics, employers are thinking about questions of legality, she says. “If you require your workers to [get] the vaccine and something happens to one of those workers, there’s both an ethical problem and there might be liability under workers compensation,” she explains. “On the other hand, if you don’t require the vaccine for your workers and one of them infects another worker, or infects a customer, again, you are facing an ethical problem and potential liability. “

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The issue is bound to become even muddier when the inevitable happens — an employee refuses to be inoculated and an employer says it’s their right to fire the employee on the basis of protecting their workforce. Reiss predicts this scenario will be a toss-up when it ultimately ends up before a judge. “The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency that advises employers about workplace discrimination, has guidance suggesting that, yes, you can mandate the vaccine under an EUA,” she says. “And to remind you, employers have been mandating testing and many of the tests are still under an EUA.” There’s a middle ground approach employers may take: If an employee refuses the vaccine, an employer may then require them to layer on extra personal protective equipment, separate from others in the workspace, or even work remotely. Refusing the vaccine on the basis of a medical exception or religious objection is a legal right that must be accommodated, she says. Employers can terminate a worker if the employee refuses both the vaccine and taking the extra precautions, such as

F EATURE ARTI CLE

wearing extra Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), she says – a scenario that will likely end up in court. As the vaccine rollout continues in the U.S., many companies have offered their employees financial incentives to encourage them to get vaccinated. Dollar General, for instance, is giving additional compensation to employees who get inoculated. Houston Methodist Hospital’s CEO told Here & Now he’s offering a $500 bonus to staff members who get the vaccine. These incentives are “very appropriate” for companies who wish to encourage healthy behavior, Reiss says. “Giving money for vaccinating can be seen as a wellness program,” she says. “You’re giving a financial incentive for people to do things that keep them healthy.”

Associate Producer Julia Corcoran produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Todd Mundt, on NPR’s ‘Here and Now.” Serena McMahon adapted it for the web. It appeared on Boston’s NPR News Station affiliate, WBUR. The original segment aired on January 19, 2021. The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 31

Landscape Industry Certified Exterior Technician The Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) is proud to partner with the National Association of Landscape Professionals to promote the new Landscape Industry Certified Exterior Technician Program. Please be sure to select the OLA as your Referring Partner when enrolling.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Landscape Industry Certified Exterior Technician program is the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) flagship program for the lawn and landscape industry and is highly sought after as an essential credential nationwide. The Exterior Technician program has five (5) specialty areas:

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Hardscape Installation Irrigation Ornamental Maintenance Softscape Installation Turf Maintenance

* The exam has moved to an all-written, online platform which removes the barriers to access and makes the test available to everyone. Exam candidates enroll online and test from the convenience of a home or work computer: Anywhere, Anytime.

To learn more or enroll, please visit landscapeprofessionals.org/certified 32 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

OLA EDUCATION SERIES “...The Harvest Academy has been instrumental in my continuous development of my 3 years in business. The information the academy provides is invaluable, it’s like having the East & West Coast Harvesters next to you leading & coaching. Many thanks to Ed, Bill, and their supporting staff.” - Anthony Jackson, Exquisite Lawn Care & Landscaping EVENT INFORMATION

DATE & LOCATION ONGOING ONLINE TRAINING COURSE ACCESS 1 YEAR ACCESS TO ALL TRAINING MATERIALS WITHIN THE ACCOUNT MANAGER TRAINING PLATFORM (SEE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS) COST TO ATTEND • SINGLE USER $895 • 2 USERS $795 EACH • 3 USERS $695 EACH • 4-6 USERS $595 EACH • 7+ USERS $495 EACH OLA MEMBERS RECEIVE A $100 DISCOUNT (PER PERSON) USING THE CODE: 21OHIO100 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO OLA MEMBERS AND WILL BE GOOD FOR A PERIOD OF 90 DAYS, BEGINNING MARCH 1ST, 2021.

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The OLA is happy to announce a new partnership with The Harvest Learning Center - a Landscape Business Education Academy - which has put together a comprehensive online course aimed at creating truly successful and valuable account managers. In our Industry, newly hired account managers tend to come from other fields, i.e., teachers, property managers, general sales, etc. Most fear that if they don’t learn the landscape side of things fast enough, they will be fired. Conversely, seasoned professionals who love their jobs tend to have difficulty meeting their enhancement sales, or are so busy that they are overcome with calls and emails. They all search for help! The Harvesters recognized this need and got to work producing content for both the new and seasoned account manager. They took a huge subject, broke it down, and created dozens of short video lessons. Then, after each lesson, they provided a short quiz to make sure individuals understood the point of each lesson. Now, any Account Manager can take these modules, in any order, as fast or as slow as they like.

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After working in the Landscape Industry for years, and running successful - individual - consulting projects, Owners Ed Laflamme and Bill Arman decided to team up in the fall of 2007. Together they founded the Harvest Group. Almost immediately, the synergetic effects of both their entrepreneurial and corporate world experience began enabling clients to tap into multiple talents, years of experience and other alliances with key personnel. They describe it to be “like having a CEO, a CFO and a whole board of directors behind you.” It’s this level of support that enables The Harvest Group to help organizations not only grow, but truly thrive. In addition to their sales training curriculum, the Harvest Group offers courses in: Acquisitions, Business Management, Customer Relations, Creating Company Culture, Operations Management, People Management, Marketing and Leadership. They offer free initial consultations to determine need and fit!

18 33 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association CEU’S

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D I RECTI ON S

#INTHISTOGETHER TAKE TWO

At the end of last March, we were all scrambling to determine how we were going to deal with a couple of weeks of restrictions due to the novel Corona Virus. At that time, we (Rick and I) spent countless hours scouring every piece of information we could find and fighting to keep your business alive and safe. I never thought that those couple of weeks of restrictions would have turned into a full year, but here we are. It is March – one year later – and we are still concerned with COVID 19. While things are improving, there seems to be no definitive end in sight. That said, it is good that we appear to be moving in the right direction, as restrictions are beginning to lighten up. The green industry has been one of the “lucky ones” in this time of winners and losers. Landscape contractors have been reporting some of the best sales numbers ever. In addition, many garden centers sold out of product last year, and nurseries are doing well because of the increased demand for plant material. It would seem the only thing holding us back is the lack of employees. Over the last couple of years, the OLA PR/Marketing committee has focused on how to best get the word out that we have great careers in a growing industry (no pun intended). Now, we can add to that narrative by emphasizing that many of the jobs we have offer the ability to work in lots of fresh air with built in social distancing! The title of this article is the same as the title I used in April 2020. It still holds true. The OLA has continued to look for ways to best serve you and we have seen many of you helping each other as well. If anyone is interested in joining an OLA committee, please let me know and I can email you some information that explains what the different committees do. Soon, we will be setting up a virtual meeting for members that are interested in learning more about committees.

34 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

SANDY MUNLEY

Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association Throughout 2020, and so far in 2021, we have provided most of our events virtually – with a few exceptions where we felt we could meet the current restrictions at the time of the event and keep everyone safe. In late February, we sent out a survey to our contractor members to see how comfortable they are with in person educational events. As of this writing, I don’t have these results, but they should help guide us in planning future events. In the meantime, watch for virtual events, including some virtual networking we are planning. That seems to be the biggest piece missing from the puzzle; time to talk with each other! We held our Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala successfully in person in July last year and are planning an in person Gala for June 24th of this year. We don’t know yet whether we will need to restrict the number of people attending our event to sponsors and participants who entered, or if we can open it up to others. Stay tuned for an announcement on that. One last quick note: Mark your calendar for the OLA Scholarship Golf Classic that will be held on August 5, 2021. We will be back at Mallard Creek in Columbia Station and Winking Lizard will be our caterer. The OLA Golf Committee is already working on a fun event for all to enjoy – in person! I am looking forward to seeing you all as soon as possible! Wishing you all a prosperous and safe spring!

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OLA’s NEW MEMBERS

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The Ohio Landscape Association is delighted to welcome the following new members to the association:

REGULAR MEMBERS Brett’s Bed & Mulch Service 3358 Crown Pointe Drive Stow, OH 44224 (330) 217-7299 Brett Hlaudy Cornerstone Landscape 67530 Falloure Road Belmont, OH 43718-9718 (740) 782-1787 Everett Stewart K & R Landscaping 611 Maple Avenue Hamilton, OH 45011 (513) 222-2201 Ken Schwarz

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15 23 13 2 27 29 19 32 5 27 21 25 31 31 11 9 32 6 15 11 32 13 35 29 17 25

A-1 Power Equipment Abraxus / Royalton Landscape Supply Acme Fence & Lumber Botson Insurance Group, Inc. Buyansky Brothers Landscape Materials Cascade Lighting, Inc. Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc. Ditch Witch Mid States Earth N’ Wood Product, Inc. Frank Brothers Landscape Supply Green Velvet Sod Farms Klyn Nurseries, Inc. Kurtz Bros., Inc. O’Reilly Equipment Oliger Seed, Co. Premier Plant Solutions Project Evergreen MDI Products MRLM Landscape Materials / JTO, Inc. Millcreek Gardens NALP Landscape Industry Certification Sohar’s / RCPW, Inc. Three-Z Supply Valley City Supply VanCuren Tree Services, Inc. Zoresco Equipment Company The Growing Concern | March 2021 | 35

9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517

03/21

Mid-States

DARE TO COMPARE

Ditch Witch Stand-On Skid Steers - Built to OUTperform

SK600

Small

SK800

Big

1-888-DITCHWITCH ditchwitchmidstates.com

SK1050

Bigger

SK1550

Biggest

Columbus, OH Full Service Branch

Louisville, KY Full Service Branch

Pittsburgh, PA Full Service Branch

Erlanger, KY Service Branch

3660 Interchange Rd, Columbus,OH 43204 400 Sparrow Dr, Shepherdsville,KY 40165 Phone 614-443-9751 | Fax 614-443-9219 Phone 502-543-3309 | Fax 502-543-9613 9052 Marshall Rd, Cranberry Twp,PA 16066 3461 Piedmont Cr, Erlanger KY 41018 Phone 724-742-2844 | Fax 724-742-2877 Phone 859-263-5050 (by appt. only)

SK3000-Full Size CTL

“The Beast”

Cincinnati, OH Satellite Service Phone 513-672-3060

Cleveland, OH Satellite Service Phone 330-220-6585

Rochester, NY Satellite Service Phone 585-334-2920