The Growing Concern September 2021 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

SEPTEMB ER 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

NEO Landscape Facility Tour

September 29, 2021 / KGK Gardening & Design Corp. / PAGE 7

Plant Healthcare Day

October 7, 2021 / Secrest Arboretum / PAGE 29

Central Ohio Landscape Facility Tour October 12, 2021 / Yard Solutions (Groveport, OH) / PAGE 28

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PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

LOOKING INWARD

JAMES FUNAI, PhD Cuyahoga Community College

I hope by this point – assuming you’ve read any of my articles – that you’ve picked up on a theme: Change. Specifically, I try to incorporate a couple of thoughts each month focused on change in effort to challenge each of us to grow both ourselves and our teams, one step at a time. This month will be no different! My interest in continued personal growth comes from surviving the PhD process. Working full time while completing said process consisted of 6 years of not sleeping, producing work that was harder and better than anything I thought I was capable of, and then consistently having a panel of experts tell me it wasn’t good enough – and they never let up. If you’ve never experienced this – being told over and over again that it’s not good enough, or that you need to fix a million things – let me tell you, it can leave you wondering, “Can I really pull this off?” After countless hours of hard work, I got just a few hours to stand in front of a panel of experts who acted like a firing squad, trying to shoot holes through all of my hard work. In the end, thankfully, I survived! I won my battle and they finally let me in. This was 6 years of me falling short, looking within to think about what I could do better, searching for the resources to do so, practicing, and then – eventually – being better. It is a metaphor for ALL of our lives. All any of us can do is fail, learn from it, figure what we need to work on, put it into practice, and then become better versions of ourselves. This month, I’d like to focus on a few unconscious biases most of us have. We need to reflect on them, because more likely than not, we’ve all failed at them at one point, or another. It’s nothing

a little more focus and/or awareness of can’t help us become better at, inevitably helping us to improve our businesses. I’ll highlight a couple of scenarios of unconscious biases I’ve fallen into, hoping you can learn from my mistakes.

AFFINITY BIAS Think of this as a “similarity bias” where one tends to connect with others who share similar interests, experiences, and backgrounds. Of course it’s easier to hang out with people who share our same interests. We call them friends. However, in the hiring process, this can cause more harm than good. In the past, while interviewing candidates for crews/crew leaders, I always asked myself, “Does this candidate fit our culture?” It’s not an unreasonable question to ask, but it can mislead us towards hiring people who are only exactly like us. I remember a time a recruiter came into my classroom to hire for their company and said something along the lines of, “I love when I come across a kid who likes dirt bikes and hunting because you know they’ll be a hard worker.” While there’s a lot to unpack there, it suffices to say that if you have a checkbox on your application for dirt bike riding and/or hunting as job skills, perhaps you’ve downloaded the wrong template. continued on page 6 The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS S E P T E M B E R 2 0 21 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! Honor Award winner, LWB Design LLC, for their entry in the category of Landscape Lighting.

FEATURES

3 8 12 16 20 24 30 38 39

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Looking Inward

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Flowering Shrubs for the Perennial Garden

FISCAL FITNESS

Self Employed Business Owners Tips

SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC RECAP FOR SAFETY SAKE

Safety and Health Outcomes Associated with Aging and Work

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.

Hippophae rhamnoides: Sea Buckthorn

Treasurer Stephanie Gray, LIC

FEATURE ARTICLE

Immediate Past President Domenic Lauria

How Much Does Professional Photography Cost and How Much You Should Budget For Annually

DIRECTIONS 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 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

SEPTEMBER

DECEMBER

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 NE OHIO FACILITY TOUR (KGK Gardening & Design Corp.)

DECEMBER 7, 2021 DORMANT PRUNING (Central Ohio)

KGK conscientiously seeks perfection – and it shows! Their team of professionals has earned an unsurpassed reputation in NE Ohio for creativity and excellence in the field of landscape design and construction. Join us as we tour KGK’s exceptional facility, located in Hudson, Ohio, to find out what has made them so successful for nearly 40 years. See pages 7 for more details. (Capacity Limited)

Dormant Pruning of Landscape Plants is a half-day, handson clinic and a timely training opportunity for you and your crews to learn the proper pruning techniques. Held at Premier Plant Services in Hilliard, Ohio. Registration will open in Fall of 2021.

OCTOBER

Dormant Pruning of Landscape Plants is a half-day, handson clinic and a timely training opportunity for you and your crews to learn the proper pruning techniques. Held at Willoway Nurseries in Avon, Ohio. Registration will open in Fall of 2021.

OCTOBER 7, 2021 PLANT HEALTHCARE DAY This full-day workshop combines all aspects of Plant Health Care (PHC) for both technicians and managers, with live demonstrations of PHC techniques – services based on the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and proactive tree care management. Held on the grounds of Secrest Arboretum, located in Wooster, OH. See page 29 for more information. (Capacity Limited)

OCTOBER 12, 2021 CENTRAL OHIO FACILITY TOUR (Yard Solutions) Established in 1990, Yard Solutions is an organization with a strong set of values and is dedicated to providing outdoor environments that enrich people’s lives. They are committed to employee development and the customer experience. Join us as we tour Yard Solutions’ facility, located in Groveport, OH. See page 28 for more information. (Capacity Limited)

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER 9, 2021 DORMANT PRUNING (NE Ohio)

DECEMBER 2021 (Tentative) STONE VENEER CLINIC (NE Ohio) This hands-on clinic will teach the basics of mixing mortar, installing and grouting stone veneer. The techniques you will learn can be applied to both manufactured and natural stone. The demand for veneers has increased and this is a great opportunity to learn how to apply it in house. Registration will open in Fall of 2021.

JANUARY 2022 JANUARY 20, 2022 OLA MEETING Jarrett Herold / CEO of Electric Sheep Held at St. Michael’s Woodside Sponsorship opportunities still available. For more info call the OLA Office at 440.717.0002. Registration will open in Fall of 2021.

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 OLA ANNUAL MEETING (NE OHIO) Heidi Szeltner, Outreach Manager for Cuyahoga Community College and their Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Partnership, will discuss Growth Strategies to Help Accelerate Revenue. Held at St. Michael’s Woodside. Sponsorship opportunities still available. For more info call the OLA Office at 440.717.0002. See page 36 for more information.

21st ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC RECAP Once again, our Annual Golf Classic was a tremendous success. We had over 216 golfers take part in this year’s event, with well over $14,000 in sponsorship money raised to support the event – plus there were prizes galore! We’d like to thank all of you who took part in this event and continue to sponsor this great cause! See more on pages 16 – 18. The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 5

PR E S IDENT’ S C OL UMN continued from page 3

SERVING LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

Point being: A lack of similarities should NOT exclude someone from the hiring process. We need to focus on the position(s) we are hiring for and the skills and attributes that matter. Take notes of similarities while you are interviewing so you can reflect on them, of course, but during this reflection period ask yourself if those similarities, or lack thereof, are clouding your perception of that person’s ability to do the job. Focus on the specific skills, experiences and the unique qualities of the candidate and let those guide your decision. This will help you hire more candidates that are a cultural ADD, not just a just a cultural FIT.

SINCE 1978

CONFORMITY BIAS Conformity bias is our tendency to act similar to those people around us, regardless of our own beliefs. It’s a form of peer pressure. During the hiring process, this can negatively impact decisions when a team is guiding the interview because teams tend to verbally review the candidate immediately and a majority consensus develops quickly. This, in turn, sways the group thought to one side without the gift of a “Devil’s Advocate.”

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I suggest giving individuals time to reflect and write down notes about the candidate prior to discussing as a team. Ask them to go to separate spaces and write down their unbiased thoughts concerning each candidate and how they match the position. When the team reconvenes, ask the hiring manager to review all of these thoughts to spur discussion based on impartial opinions. It is a powerful way to catch the things that others may not have.

CONFIRMATION BIAS This one is the hardest to confront. It is our inclination to draw conclusions based on our own desires, beliefs, and prejudices.

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In hiring, most of us start off by looking at a resume and making gut-related decisions based on the candidate’s name, where they’re from, where they went to school, etc. We may even try to determine their political leanings. Yet none of those attributes speak to their actual skills and ability… but we think they do. It is detrimental to start the hiring process this way, as we are subconsciously drawn to people that conform to our beliefs. In closing, work harder on interviewing using standardized, skill-based questions that provide each candidate a fair chance to stand out based on what matters – their skills. When we allow off the cuff questions, we open the door to all kinds of bias. I hope this helps to spur discussion and to better understand how biases may be handicapping our day to day lives.

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 1936 GEORGETOWN RD. HUDSON, OHIO 44236 AGENDA REGISTRATION 5:00PM to 5:30PM FACILITY TOUR 5:30PM to 7:45PM NETWORKING/FOOD SERVED 7:45PM to 8:45PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

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KGK Gardening & Design Corporation Establishing a landscape design and construction company in his hometown of Hudson was a goal of Ken Kuryla’s since early in his college career at The Ohio State University. This ambition was a perfect fit for a hard working farm boy with a love of the outdoors. Founded as a full-service landscape designbuild firm shortly after his gradution, in 1984, Ken established KGK Gardening and Design Corporation. KGK quickly impacted the local industry through a combination of always doing the right thing, relentless quality, professionalism and creativity.

‘Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for our clients’

Surrounded by a gifted and talented staff who pay meticulous attention to detail, KGK raises the standard of design, construction, and performance in NE Ohio. In addition to their team of formally trained landscape architects and designers, KGK boasts a team of artisans who have developed highly advanced skills in the mediums of wood and stone. Today KGK continues to strive for excellence through its guiding process of Engage, Design, and Implement. This process allow KGK to take on diverse design challenges, whether public, private, civic, social, environmental, commercial, or residential.

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In addition, KGK’s property is home to the Highfields Event Center, a brand new, 5,000 sq. ft., modern event venue, surrounded by lush gardens and a private woodland area. This space was developed to create the timeless feel of harmonizing elegant architecture with open-air views, which enhances wedding celebrations, offsite corporate meetings, and other events. Join us, September 29, 2021 as Ken Kuryla and his team give us a peek into what has made them so successful for over 35 years. Space is limited, register soon.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S MEETING SCHEDULE ARE NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 440.717.0002 FOR INFO. 2.25 CEU’S

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Buddleia ‘African Queen’ is still blooming in my garden in November but is at least 8 feet high.

FLOWERING SHRUBS FOR THE PERENNIAL GARDEN The nature of a the perennial garden is that it is ever-changing, but it always helps to have some perennials that bloom for a long period of bloom in order to plug the gaps left by those that bloom for only a short period of time. If we avail ourselves of some flowering shrubs that, strategically placed, will not smother the perennials, we can add to the amount of color and interest in the perennial garden. Buddleia davidii (Butterfly Bush) is a good example. Although historically the Butterfly Bush was huge, the hybridizers have shrunk it into various sizes that are very useful. The Buzz series has selections that supposedly grow 3 to 4 feet high. It seems to me that it takes three or four years before they reach that height.

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The Pugster series selections have fatter flowers, are even shorter at 2 feet and can be placed at the front of a border. My Pugster Amethyst blooms nonstop from mid-July until frost and the leaves, amazingly, have stayed green during the past few winters. Happily, it is in a raised bed so I don’t have to lean over too far to deadhead it. The Chip series is also very short, not so good for people with bad backs. I’ve been really happy with Buddleia ‘Glass Slippers’, a cultivar continued on page 10 from Walters Gardens.

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

Buddleia ‘Pugster® Amethyst’ has very fat panicles.

Though not in bloom, Caryopteris incan’s ‘Sunshine Blue’ foliage makes a great backdrop for the purple Lupines blooming in my garden in late May.

Buddleia ‘Glass Slippers’ beside Hydrangea Cityline™ Paris, also a prolific bloomer.

Closeup of Caryopteris incana ‘Sunshine Blue’ in mid-September.

continued from page 8 It is only 3 feet high and wide and has silvery-green foliage plus pale-purple flowers. Although it only gets half a day of sun, it still blooms prolifically. All Buddleia need full sun. They will do well in dry sites but flower better in well-drained soil and regular moisture. Unlike the larger cultivars that need to be pruned back severely each spring, the smaller ones do not unless they grow larger than you would like. Although not native, they attract a variety of bees and butterflies from July until frost and are both deer and rabbit resistant. Caryopteris x clandonensis (Blue Mist Shrub) used to be readily available but not so much these days. My favorite cultivars, like C. incana ‘Sunshine Blue’ were always the ones with yellow foliage because the blue flowers in late summer are very pale and hard to see unless the viewer is very close. ‘Sunshine Blue’ has been improved for hardiness and color and is now known as Sunshine Blue®II, On the other hand, the cultivars with aromatic silvery leaves, like ‘Dark Knight’

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(two to three feet high) and ‘Longwood Blue’ four feet high), have darker blue flowers. All Caryopteris should be treated as cutback shrubs. They, too, need full sun and well-drained soil and attract a variety of bees and butterflies in August and September. Happily, they also are deer and rabbit resistant. I have only mentioned two genera that can be integrated into a perennial border for more color but there are many more of which I am sure you are acquainted.

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).

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F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

SELF EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNERS TIPS Self-employment is the opportunity to be your own boss, but there are many other factors to consider outside the scope of your normal business. Here are some planning tips. UNDERSTAND SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAX AND HOW IT’S CALCULATED As a starting point, make sure that you understand (and comply with) your federal tax responsibilities. The federal government uses self-employment tax to fund Social Security and Medicare.

MAKE ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENTS ON TIME TO AVOID PENALTIES Employees generally have income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax withheld from their paychecks. But if you’re self-employed, it’s likely that no one is withholding federal and state taxes from your income. As a result, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated tax payments on your own to cover your federal income tax and self-employment tax liability. If you don’t make estimated tax payments, you

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

may be subject to penalties, interest, and a big tax bill at the end of the year. If you have employees, you will have to pay federal employment taxes and report certain information.

EMPLOY FAMILY MEMBERS TO SAVE TAXES Hiring a family member to work for your business can create tax savings for you. Your business can take a deduction for reasonable compensation paid to an employee, which in turn reduces the amount of taxable business income that flows through to you. As a business owner, you’re responsible for paying FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes on wages paid to your employees. The payment of these taxes will be a deductible business expense for tax purposes. continued on page 14

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continued from page 12 ESTABLISH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLAN FOR TAX (AND NONTAX) REASONS Because you’re self-employed, you’ll need to take care of your own retirement needs. You can do this by establishing an employersponsored retirement plan, which can provide you with several tax and non-tax benefits. With such a plan, your business may be allowed an immediate federal income tax deduction for funding the plan, and you can generally contribute pretax dollars into a retirement account. Contributed funds, and any earnings, aren’t subject to federal income tax until withdrawn. You may want to start by considering the following types of retirement plans:

• • • • •

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) SIMPLE IRA SIMPLE 401(k) Individual (or “solo”) 401(k) 401(k) and/or Roth 401(k)

The type of retirement plan that your business should establish depends on your specific circumstances. If your business has employees, you may have to provide coverage for them as well.

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You may qualify for a tax credit of up to $500 for the costs associated with establishing and administering such a plan.

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ALL BUSINESS DEDUCTIONS TO LOWER TAXABLE INCOME Because deductions lower your taxable income, you should make sure that your business is taking advantage of any business deductions to which it is entitled. You may be able to deduct a variety of business expenses, including rent or home office expenses, and the costs of office equipment, furniture, supplies, and utilities. To be deductible, business expenses must be both ordinary (common and accepted in your trade or business) and necessary (appropriate and helpful for your trade or business). If your expenses are incurred partly for business purposes and partly for personal purposes, you can deduct only the businessrelated portion. If you are concerned about lowering your taxable income this year, consider the following possibilities:

• Deduct the business expenses associated with your vehicle • Buy supplies for your business late this year that you would normally order early next year

• Purchase depreciable business equipment, furnishings, and vehicles this year

• Deduct the appropriate portion of business meals and travel expenses

• Write off any bad business debts DEDUCT HEALTH-CARE RELATED EXPENSES If you qualify, you may be able to benefit from the selfemployed health insurance deduction, which would enable you to deduct up to 100 percent of the cost of health insurance that you provide for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. Contributions you make to a Health Savings Account (HSA) are also deductible. An HSA is a tax-exempt trust or custodial account you can establish in conjunction with a high-deductible health plan to set aside funds for healthcare expenses. If you withdraw funds to pay for the qualified medical expenses of you, your spouse, or your dependents, the funds are not included in your adjusted gross income. Distributions from an HSA that are not used to pay for qualified medical expenses are included in your adjusted gross income and may be subject to additional penalties. For more information, consult your tax and/or financial professionals and see IRS Publications 15, 505 and 560.

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 & Company Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (800) 478-0788 The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 15

CONGRATULATIONS

to the

WINNING TEAMS Bobby Zuercher Three-Z-Supply

Wes Moloney Three-Z-Supply Brian Drogell Three-Z-Supply Kevin Diamond Three-Z-Supply

21st Annual

OLA Scholarship Golf Classic

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Gary Blenda Envirotech Service Inc.

Doug Shelton Envirotech Service Inc. Chuck Nosse Envirotech Service Inc. Bob Placko Envirotech Service Inc.

DINNER SPONSOR

Thank You

LUNCH SPONSOR

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Sponsors

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

COMMEMORATIVE GIFT

Photos From This Year’s Event

can be seen at

www.ohiolandscapers.org TEE SPONSORS

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DOOR PRIZE & RAFFLE DONORS ArborJet|Ecologel Assured Partners Insurance Group Beal’s Pickles and Pints Dave’s Cosmic Subs Domenic Lauria Emmett Equipment Envirotech Services Hoppy Dudes Brewery

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ALL ROADS The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 17

THE 21st ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC

OUTING PHOTOS

Thank You TO ALL OF OUR

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3/1/18 2:13 PM

F OR SAFETY SAK E

SAFETY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH AGING AND WORK Aging affects a variety of health conditions and outcomes, including both chronic health conditions and the likelihood of on-the-job injury. However, the exact nature of these relationships has only recently been better understood, and it is quickly becoming clear that appropriate programs and support in the workplace, community, or at home can help workers live longer, more productive lives. CHRONIC CONDITIONS AND AGING Arthritis and hypertension are the two most common health conditions affecting older workers, impacting 47% and 44%, respectively, of workers over the age of 55. An even greater proportion of workers (more than 75%) are estimated to have at least one chronic health condition that requires management. Diabetes is perhaps the most costly of these. The frequency of these conditions and others in older adults has important implications for how and when workers can physically perform their duties. Higher morbidity can mean more absenteeism when an employee feels sick and more presenteeism when an employee is ill but shows up to work regardless. However,

individual health risk factors are a stronger influence on future healthcare associated costs than advancing age alone. In comparing young workers with “high risk” of chronic disease (5 or more risk factors) to older workers with few or no risk factors, the younger workers had significantly higher medical costs associated despite the disparity in the age groups.

SAFETY AND AGING As for safety on the job, workers who are older actually tend to experience fewer workplace injuries than their younger colleagues. This may be because of experience gathered from years in the workplace, or because of factors such as increased continued on page 22

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 20 caution and awareness of relative physical limitations. The caution is well-founded. When accidents involving older workers do occur, the workers often require more time to heal, underscoring the need for a well-planned return to work program. In addition, incidents affecting older workers are more likely to be fatal, underscoring the need for employers to be mindful of how best to adapt the conditions of work to protect workers as well as explore opportunities for preventative programs that can maintain or build the health of employees through their working life.

BENEFITS OF AN AGE-FRIENDLY WORKFORCE Employers increasingly see the value that older workers bring to the job. Older workers have greater institutional knowledge and usually more experience. They often possess more productive work habits than their younger counterparts. They report lower levels of stress on the job, and in general, they get along better with their coworkers. Finally, they tend to be more cautious on the job and more likely to follow safety rules and regulations. Workplaces, often out of necessity, have adapted to older workers. Both the Age Discrimination Employment Act of 1967 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit workplace

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discrimination based on age or disability, respectively, and support the retention of qualified workers despite limitations that may come from age or disability. However, some employers are more proactive than others, realizing that a well-designed, employee-centered approach to the physical nature and organization of work benefits all workers regardless of their age. Workplace design, the flexibility of the work schedule and certain ergonomic interventions increasingly focus on the needs of older employees. Many workplace accommodations are easy to make and are inexpensive. Although work may not be beneficial for all older persons, for many it is an important avenue to economic security, enhanced social interaction, and improved quality of life.

SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR AN AGE-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE Many effective workplace solutions are simple and don’t have to cost very much. These solutions can have large benefits if implemented properly with worker input and support throughout all levels of management. To the right are some strategies for preparing your workplace for a healthier, safer, and more age-friendly workforce. Consider putting these strategies in place today:

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• Prioritize workplace flexibility. Workers prefer jobs that provide more flexibility over those that offer more vacation days. To the extent possible, give workers a say in their schedule, work conditions, work organization, work location, and work tasks. • Match tasks to abilities. Use self-paced work, selfdirected rest breaks, and less repetitive tasks. • Avoid prolonged, sedentary work. Prolonged, sedentary work is bad for workers at every age. Consider sit/stand workstations and walking workstations for workers who traditionally sit all day. Provide onsite physical activity opportunities or connections to low-cost community based options. • Manage hazards. Including noise, slip/trip hazards, and physical hazards – conditions that can challenge an aging workforce more. • Provide and design ergo-friendly work environments. Workstations, tools, floor surfaces, adjustable seating, better illumination where needed, and screens and surfaces with less glare. • Utilize teams and teamwork strategies for agingassociated problem solving. Workers closest to the problem are often best equipped to find the fix.

• Provide health promotion and lifestyle interventions including physical activity, healthy meal options, tobacco cessation assistance, risk factor reduction and screenings, coaching, and onsite medical care. Accommodate medical self-care in the workplace and time away for health visits. • Invest in training and building worker skills and competencies at all age levels. Help older employees adapt to new technologies, often a concern for employers and older workers. • Proactively manage reasonable accommodations and the return-to-work process after illness or injury absences. • Require aging workforce management skills training for supervisors. Include a focus on the most effective ways to manage a multi-generational workplace.

This article first appeared on the The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) website, located at www.cdc.gov/niosh. NIOSH’s mission is to develop new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transfer that knowledge into practice. Their vision: Safer, Healthier Workers. The Growing Concern | September 2021 | 23

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, Ph.D

Cuyahoga Community College

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES SEA BUCKTHORN

As you know, this entire year we’ve been teaming up with Bill Hendricks, of Klyn Nurseries, to deliver you a group of 12 plants deserving more attention from your plant pallet. In this month’s edition of “The Hendricks Experience,” Bill offers up a plant that many American designers designate as “a weed.” That being said, hear us out on this one, because this is a great plant for specific scenarios that you probably face quite often. In earlier editions of the Dr. Dirr manual, the good doctor sang high praise of Sea Buckthorn, only to turn on it the most recent (6th) edition. Truth be told, he is not wrong in doing so because while this plant looks amazing in the container, in fruit, if you plant it next to the front door as a specimen it won’t take long for you to regret your choice. The key to using Sea Buckthorn effectively is to understand where the plant grows in its native range, the conditions under which it thrives, and to utilize it in similar scenarios when planting it. Let’s start with the plant’s native range. While it is native from England to China (the entire Northern Hemisphere minus the Americas), we need to look a little closer at where it thrives. Dense stands of this shrub exist around the Baltic Sea, as well

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as near to the East Coast of England and across the North Sea to the Netherlands. The range moves east around the Baltic Sea, shows up around the Black Sea, dances around the Caspian Sea then makes a ring around the Taklamakan desert, which is a “cold desert” – not the cactus filled one you are familiar with, This is basically NW China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan. This pattern suggests Sea Bucktorn loves looser/sandy soils, with lower organic material, situated near high salt conditions. The common name kind of gave it away, right? This is also a plant that will form a symbiotic relationship with Frankia actinobacteria in root nodules, allowing it to capture free nitrogen, thus reducing the need for higher fertility from the soil. Add this to the ability to shrug off salt in the soil, as well as salt spray landing on branches, and you can probably guess continued on page 26 where we’re going with this.

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PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 24 Expect this shrub to irregularly reach anywhere between 8 to 12 feet tall, spreading from 10 to 12 feet wide. Its habit is a bit wild with the outer crown kin of doing its own thing – not symmetrical by any means. As a dioecious plant (male and female on separate plants), there are different flowers on the males and females, neither of which are very showy in spring. Only the female plants will bear fruit, though when you can find Sea Buckthorn in the trade it’s highly unlikely the two have been separated. Fear not! Since you should plant these in mass only – and because they are wind pollinated plants – as long as you keep them close together you’ll get the impact you want from the fruit. This brings us to perhaps Sea Buckthorn’s greatest trait – its bright orange fruit – which shows in September and carries through into winter. Along with being beautiful in a winterberry-like manner, these are truly “super fruits” which have been used in their native range for centuries as juices, jams, tinctures, and fermented into alcohol. The fruit is one of the highest you can find for vitamins C, B12, E, and K. It is loaded with lycopene, beta-carotene, potassium, and manganese. The only reason we don’t find this juice on our market shelves is the lack of awareness of the plant and the lack of commercially viable harvest since the fruits are around ¼ inch and held tightly to the stem. However, travel to its native range and it is quite common to find its juice available. At a

hotel in Germany a few years back our breakfast juice choice was between Sea Buckthorn and Chokeberry (Aronia)… both were insanely delicious! Leaves are narrow, around 3 inches, and have a silvery shimmer to them. They are part of the Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) family and are related to the dreaded Russian and Autumn Olive. Most research shows that due to their high acid content the fruits seem to be rather unpalatable to birds, thus reducing the danger of spreading far beyond where they are planted. The name Hippophae is Greek based. Hippos = horse, phaos = shinny. The name comes from a traditional use of the leaves as fodder for horses to help make their coat shinny! Hippo is a fun Greek base of several names we come across, such as hippopotamus (hippo = horse, potamos = river), or River Horse! Or, situated in your brain is the hippocampus (hippo = horse, kampos = sea monster) which is shaped like a Sea Horse! Rhamnoides the refers to the somewhat similar appearance to Buckthorn (Rhamnus). This plant would thrive in highway plantings, busy intersections, disturbed/graded slopes that can’t be just grass, many of these garbage urban sites that are so far from our native planting conditions that we must look outward. Plant it in mass in these areas and not as a residential shrub and we have another great tool to combat rapid global climate change.

Jim Funai, PhD. is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture 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.

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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