Green for Life Magazine Spring 2023

ADVANCING THE PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY

MANAGING EDITOR Joel Beatson CONTENT & EDITING Kyla Hardon

LAYOUT KWL Design

Landscape Alberta Green for Life is a professional publication for the landscape trade in Alberta.

Editorial and Advertising

Landscape Alberta

18051 107 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5S 1K3 P: 780-489-1991 F: 780-444-2152 admin@landscape-alberta.com

Landscape Alberta does not assume responsibility for and does not endorse the contents of any advertisements herein. All representations or warranties made are those of the advertiser and not the publication. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Landscape Alberta or its members. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of Landscape Alberta.

ISSN No: 1929-7114 (print)

ISSN N0: 1929-7122 (online)

Landscape Alberta Board of Directors

Brian Gibson, Green Drop Lawns Ltd., Chair

Ken Ruddock, ULS Maintenance & Landscaping Inc.

Cody Brown, Tree to Tree Nurseries Ltd.

Jeff Oudyk, CSLA, AALA, JLG, Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd., Vice Chair

John van Roessel, CLM, CLT, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., Treasurer

Matthew Chausse, Seasonal Impact

Laura Watson, Finning Canada

Adam Jansen, The Jansen Group

Landscape Alberta Staff

Joel Beatson, CAE, CLM, CEO joel.beatson@landscape-alberta.com

Marnie Main, Member Services Director member.services@landscape-alberta.com

Kyla Hardon, Communications Coordinator kyla.hardon@landscape-alberta.com

Lisa Warner, Events & Relationship Coordinator lisa.warner@landscape-alberta.com

Cheryl Teo, Bookkeeper accounting@landscape-alberta.com

On the Cover

2022 Landscape Award of Exellence Winner, Ongrowing Works Ltd., Custom Backyard Fireplace

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CONTENTS

04 Tree Diversity in Prairie Urban Centers

08 Industry and Association News

CALENDAR

July 9-12, 2023 GARDEN CENTRES CANADA SUMMIT Vancouver, BC https://cnla.ca/events/gcc-summit-2023

07 Landscape Contractors

12

2022 Landscape Awards

Save the Date GISC 2023

November 16 – 17, 2023 Red Deer, AB

Tree Diversity in Prairie Urban Centers

BY TOSO BOZIC

Trees are a crucial element and fabric of every urban community and greatly contribute to its environmental, social, and economic values. Tree diversity is an important component of urban forest resilience and resistance to climate change.

History of Trees in Prairie Urban Centers

Prior to European settlers’ arrival most of the landscape was vast prairie grassland with trees occurring only along the large prairie river valleys and area close to large natural boreal forestland. The Prairie landscape was maintained by prairie grass fires and millions of bisons grazing productive grassland. Prairie fires and bison grazing controlled the spread of tree populations within grassland landscape. Most of urban cities were built in open grassland prairies with few trees naturally occurring.

Most of large prairie urban centers were established along major river valleys (North and South Saskatchewan, Assiniboine, Red River, Red Deer, Old Man, Bow, and Battle River) with certain amount of natural forest occurring along these river valleys. Native tree species such as aspen, balsam poplar, Plains cottonwood, American elm, Bur oak, linden, white spruce, and lodgepole pine were dominant tree species in these river valleys. The first Prairie city was incorporated in 1873 (City of Winnipeg) while vast majority of urban cities were incorporated in early 1900 (Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Regina).

As Prairie urban centers have been growing since their establishment, needs for tree planting along streets and boulevards, parks and open spaces have been increasing as well. The first tree nurseries were established by provincial and federal government, as well as few local urban

municipalities. Beside few private tree nurseries during early 1930s-40s; it was not until early 1950s, that small number of private tree nurseries have been established to supply trees to urban centers. Significant expansion of private tree nurseries had occurred in late 1960s till mid 1980s.

Tree species planted in early urban centers were American elm, green and black ash, variety of poplar and willows, together with white spruce and pines. Several fruit and flowering bearing trees were introduced from other parts of Canada, USA, and Europe.

Tree Inventory Data

Tree inventories provide overall baseline data for current state of urban trees including tree composition and diversity. Most of the Prairie urban municipal tree inventories began in mid-1990s and early 2000s. Urban forest managers, arborists, and planers recognize the importance of trees in urban centers not just as part of beautification but also providing environmental, social, and economic values.

Each urban center has developed its own inventory methodology and uses various software’s to collect and store the tree inventory information. Based on “open city data” as well as through personal tree inventory data sharing from urban municipalities; there are several key limitations and challenges about tree data information collected for this article:

• Tree inventory is mostly collected on public spaces (streets, boulevards, parks and open spaces) while very few tree data is collected on private land as well as natural forest area own by municipality.

• Several urban municipalities have only partly completed tree inventory (from 30-90% of total trees within municipality).

• In some urban municipalities tree inventory information is already 20 years old.

• There are many inconsistencies and overlapping in data collection information among various urban municipalities. E.g. certain urban municipalities use only common tree species names while others only using botanical name of tree species.

• Age of trees is not collected in tree data, which is important information regarding to survival, care, maintenance and overall management.

• Almost all tree inventories contain certain number of “unknown tree species.”

• Many urban municipalities do not have any tree inventory information.

• Lastly some tree inventory data is not available to public and is obtained through personal communication with municipal staff.

Tree Diversity Summary

Below are summary tables based on population size (cities over and under 100,000 people). Also, I chose 11 Tree genus that represent majority of trees in urban areas. Lastly, due to lack of data I was not able to provide certain information. It is important to note that there are many urban municipalities with population larger than 10,000 people (19 in Alberta; 12 in Saskatchewan and 8 in Manitoba) that during my research or request about tree inventory have not provided any tree inventory information or tree inventory data is not publicly available.

Table 1: Tree inventory in large urban areas over 100,000 people

Tree Diversity in Prairie Urban Centers

Table 2. Tree inventory in medium size urban areas in Alberta

Picture 1: City of Regina Legislative building 1908 with no trees (top) and City of Lethbridge (bottom)

Tree Diversity in Prairie Urban Centers

Based on tables presented above there are several conclusions:

• Tree diversity (species richness) in Prairie urban municipalities is extremely high comparing to natural forest surrounding the urban areas.

• Genus diversity (genus richness) is also very high including tree species that belong to Plant Hardiness Zone 5, 6 and 7.

• Despite high species richness, normally a few genus (elm, ash, poplar, spruce, and pine) dominate the urban tree population.

• Ulmus, Populus and Fraxinus genus are most dominant hardwoods (40-55 %) by total number of trees.

• Picea and Pinus genus are most dominant coniferous (15-30 %) by total number of trees.

• There is significant number of tree varieties and clones planted in urban areas.

• There are some variations regarding tree species diversity among various urban municipalities. Variations are based on local climate, site, and soil but also on urban forest managers’ decision on species selection as well as available local tree nursery stock supply.

• Flowering tree species (Malus, Prunus and Tilia) consist of 5-20 % of the urban trees.

• Total number of trees planted and inventoried is significant considering that just 100 years ago most of urban municipalities were Prairie grassland.

Summary

As this is first time that Prairie urban municipality tree diversity is summarized and analyzed (partially), we offer the following suggestions to prairie urban municipalities:

• Standardize the tree inventory methodology and software across the prairie provinces.

• “Clean up” tree data to remove overlapping and incomplete data information.

• Use latest technologies (e.g. LiDAR, AI, air photo, SEGMA software, Google street view, etc.) to conduct tree inventory, that is cheaper and faster than traditional individual tree inventory.

• Perform tree inventory audits to analyze your tree data not just on tree diversity but also on tree age, overall health and vigour, survival rates, site conditions, pest infestation, care, and maintenance history.

• Analyze species diversity, but also diversity within a species, cultivars, clones, as well as age and size diversity.

• Most of tree species are not native but introduced tree species have already adapted, survived, grown, and thrived in last 120 years in Prairie urban centers.

• Climate change will impact trees in urban centers in many ways but many tree species already adapted to impact of climate change.

• Analyze the performance of each tree species and

determine which species, cultivars and clones are best suited to your urban environment.

• Collaborative work is required among urban municipalities, landscape architects, developers, tree nursery growers, research institutions, colleges, and universities to develop climate change adaptive tree species selection system.

• Pests threat is real to trees in urban centers and developing coordinated plan how to monitor, survey and control spread of pests.

As Prairie urban centers are experiencing recent pest outbreaks as well as the environmental changes resulting from climate change, understanding current tree species diversity, and planning for future tree diversity is crucial. Urban Prairie environment is tough to many trees but as we already have over 100 years experience with tree diversity in urban centers and through proper past assessment, knowledge and experience we can achieve a resistant, diverse, and resilient future urban forest. ATTS Group Inc offers reliable, practical, and innovative tree and forestry consulting and advisory services to urban municipalities. We offer tree audits, inventory, management plans and arborist consulting services.

Photo Source: Old photos of Regina and Lethbridge Images of Prairie Towns

Landscape Contractors

Stay Safe As You Gear up for the Spring Season

OPEI offers these tips to get your crews and their equipment ready for a safe season:

• Identify the differences in your machines. Whether you’re using a zero-turn, ride-on, mid-mount, rearmount, garden tractor or other type of mower, make sure you and your crew members understand their unique design, requirements, weight classification, and other differences that impact how to use it safely.

• Review equipment with your work crews before the season gets rolling. Make sure all your workers understand the safety features of the equipment they are using, and that they are following manufacturer guidelines and on-product messages for safe operation. Do spot safety checks on job sites, and incorporate safety checks into your morning roll-out.

• Make sure safety features are operable. Figure out the safety features on all your equipment, and make sure they are operable. Do not disable or modify manufacturerinstalled safety equipment. Be sure that you review this with your work crews and check equipment when it returns from a work site.

• Keep children away from machines during operation. A child should never be on the equipment. Be aware of your

surroundings and watch out for bystanders who may be nearby.

• Walk the areas you intend to mow and remind crews to do so. Slopes, wet grass and weather may impact the equipment’s performance, as well as safe handling procedures. Remind everyone to pick up sticks and limbs that may have fallen to the ground and any loose objects that could be hit by a mower. Inspect trees for damaged limbs that may get in your way when mowing.

• Identify slopes in advance. Follow all manufacturer guidance regarding operating machinery on slopes.

• Manufacturer-supplied owner’s manuals and guidance should be readily available. If you have lost the guidance supplied with the machine, look it up online and save a copy of it on your computer, print out a copy, in any language needed, for your employees and keep it in an easily-accessible location like the break room and trucks. Do not remove on-product safety messages.

• Look over equipment before use in the field. Check the air filter, oil level and gasoline tank. Watch for loose belts and missing or damaged parts. Replace any parts needed or take your equipment to a qualified service representative. Check to be sure that you have the appropriate, manufacturer-recommended batteries, if needed.

• Protect your power. Use only E10 or less fuel in gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment if it is not designed for higher ethanol blends. Add a fuel stabilizer if you don’t use up all the fuel in the tank right away. Burn off any fuel before storing the mower more than 30 days.

Also, for battery-powered equipment, only use battery packs specified by the manufacturer. Follow all charging instructions as outlined in the owner’s manual. Be sure to store fuel and batteries safely. Keep batteries away from other metal objects, store them in a climatecontrolled area, and never stack batteries. Look at your trucks and work trailers and determine how you will store batteries in the field, before the crews leave the garage or office.

• Keep your equipment clean. It will run more efficiently and last longer. Always remove dirt, oil or grass before using and storing, and store equipment in a dry place, avoiding damp or wet environments.

For information on safe fueling, go to www.LookBeforeYouPump.com

Kris Kiser is the President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing outdoor power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. For more safety information visit www.opei.org

CNLA HR Webinar Series

The CNLA and the HR Committee understand that Labour is an issue for everyone. Now more than ever it seems and as such, they partnered with the Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to provide a series of one-hour webinars with a focus on labour.

Webinar 1: Understanding SAWP & TFWP including an overview of updated NOCs

Webinar 2: Dealing with labour agencies – best practices to ensure a successful outcome.

Webinar 3: HR toolkit overview

You can watch the replays here: https://youtu.be/kQOoZCXaopQ.

CRITICAL: Increase to TFW Wage Rates

Employers must pay TFWs the GREATER of the rate set by ESDC in the National Commodity List (NCL) wage list and the applicable minimum wage rate. Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum NCL rate for most commodities is more than the provincial minimum wage. Scan QR code for the Service Canada website for applicable minimum wage rates for your commodity and immigration stream that workers are being hired through. The minimum wage rate for most commodities on the NCL in Alberta is now $16.52. While the NCL wage rate does not apply to Canadian workers, it is good practice to pay all staff with similar experience doing the same function the same wage rate.

Alberta Construction Trade Definitions Updated for 2023

The Landscaping section of the Construction Trade Definitions for Alberta has recently been updated with input from members across the province. These updated documents will assist in the bidding process on commercial development projects and ensure landscape contractors are best able to compete on areas of work within the standard scope of practice.

To download a copy or to learn more, visit https://www.tradedefinitions.com/.

AB Garden Centres Claim 3 spaces in Top 100 list

Congratulations to Greenland Garden Centre (63), Salisbury Greenhouses (65) and Blue Grass Nursery, Sod & Garden Centre (93) for placing in the prestigious Top 100 Independent Garden Centres presented by Garden Center Magazine. The list is the top-grossing independent garden centers in the US and Canada, ranked by retail sales volume.

To see the full 5 page report please scan here.

Two Billion Tree Scoping Study

CNLA is currently engaged in a study, led by the Canadian Forest Owners (CFO)/ New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners (NBFWO) and in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), and the Canadian Ornamental Horticultural Alliance (COHA) to conduct a national scoping study under the 2 Billion Tree Program (2BT) of Natural Resources Canada. We are asking for your help to complete a quick 3-minute-long survey.

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

CDAP can help get business online, give e-commerce presence a boost, and help digitalize business operations. CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians. Two funding streams exist:

1. Grow Your Business Online Micro-grants offered through partners BusinessLink and Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

2. Boost Your Business Technology

Industry and Association News

Take Advantage of these Member Perks!

Hiring is never easy, but with some added incentives for your current and/or future employees, it may just make recruiting and keeping your current employees a little easier.

Marks Work warehouse:

The CNLA and Mark’s Work Warehouse have partnered to offer 10% off all regular priced items.

Work Authority: The CNLA and The Work Authority have partnered to offer 15% off all regular priced merchandise.

Order your cards today! Email Nicole Xavier to request cards : nicole@canadanursery.com

Other Programs for your business -

Know More Hazard: 10% discount on base rates when you sign up for a membership with Know More Hazard.

St. John Ambulance: Members receive a discount on first aid courses and first aid kits.

General Motors Canada: Save on select new and unused GMC vehicles. Administration fees apply.

ECHO / Shindaiwa: Members receive a 15% manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP, plus applicable taxes) discount off ECHO or Shindaiwa gas powered units and accessories purchase*. Members also receive a 10% discount off the purchase of any ECHO 58V battery-powered products. Also, members will be offered a 20% discount if you arrange a product demo with an ECHO representative and purchase a minimum of five ECHO and/or Shindaiwa gas-powered units in a single purchase. *$250 minimum purchase required, does not include parts and labour.

Are you a member of the Landscape Alberta? Are you taking advantage of your Member Benefits? We offer discounted pricing on vehicles & equipment, industry training, financial services & much more! Scan to access the Member Benefits portal. If you don’t have a log-in please reach out to memberservices@cnla-acpp.ca to request one.

Calgary Office : 403-263-4200

Peter Krebs (Sales Manager) : 587-434-6638

Rob Veno (Northern AB) : 780-910-8402

David Schramm (Central AB) : 403-934-1276

Serving the Growing Community Since 1927

Tom Wright (Saskatchewan) : 306-921-7615

The Professional Gardener®’s vast array of sizes ensure the perfect fit for all your needs. We heavily stock all popular sizes ranging from 18” baskets right up to 70” baskets as well as appropriate liners. We not only carry the very popular forms but also the type A -25° cone baskets.

“Hiring is never easy, but with some added incentives for your current and/or future employees, it may just make recruiting and keeping your current employees a little easier.”

We at The Professional Gardener® have you completely covered from bud tip to root tip!

Along with the best quality of baskets available, we offer a full line of burlap, poly-cord strapping, & flagging tape.

Backgrounder on CNLA’s action with the 2 Billion Trees Project

The federal government’s 2 Billion Trees Commitment was initially focused on planting trees in forested areas. The CNLA provided an out-of-the-box suggestion in February 2022 for a percentage of the Commitment to include trees planted in urban forest areas.

Discussions between CNLA and Natural Resources Canada have been productive, providing the ministry with a broader knowledge of our industry value-chain and where our sectors combine in the efficient delivery of trees from nursery to community. Urban planting’s inclusion among the 2 Billion Trees Commitment is a major win for industry.

Participation in the above study included in this e-mail is an example of the CNLA’s engagement with organizations both to raise the industry’s voice, and to ensure that urban tree planting remains a significant number of the 2 billion trees.

Elm Pruning must be done between October 1 and March 31 in Alberta

Elm sanitation such as removal and proper disposal of dead wood and dead elm is essential to an integrated Dutch Elm Disease (DED) prevention program. The only time it is legal to prune elms in Alberta is between October 1 to March 31. This is when the European elm bark beetles, responsible for spreading the deadly DED fungus, are not active.

Elm bark beetles feed on healthy elms and breed and over winter in dead and dying elm trees. If elm trees are pruned between April 1 and September 30, these vectors of the disease will be drawn to the scent of the fresh pruning cuts, potentially attracting infested beetles and infecting your otherwise healthy elm.

Having your tree pruned properly is important. A professional arborist can determine what type of pruning is necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of your trees. Topping or removing an excessive amount of live wood is not recommended, will weaken the tree’s structure and shorten its lifespan. It is essential that all dead elm wood be removed and properly disposed of by burning, burying or chipping by March 31. It is also illegal to store elm firewood.

Alberta is still free of DED, although its borders are being pressed from two sides, Saskatchewan and Montana, both battling the disease. There is no cure once an elm is infected but DED can be prevented. We must stay vigilant to keep our elms healthy.

For more information on how to prevent DED call the STOPDED hotline at 1-877-837-ELMS or check out the web site at www.stopded.org. We must stay vigilant to keep our elms healthy. DED can be prevented.

Landscape Jobs

Looking to hire? Of course, you are! Landscape.jobs has recently re-launched to serve the landscape horticulture industry coast-to-coast. Job posters (employers) can set up profiles and show their support for Landscape Horticulturist Apprenticeship Program, while Job Seekers can see opportunities country wide. This targeted resource is a great tool that only becomes more valuable the more it is used. This is a great opportunity for Alberta and Saskatchewan employers to show off the advantages of heading West. With the highest wages and lower cost of living than many other areas your jobs have a great chance of standing out. Visit

“This targeted resource is a great tool that only becomes more valuable the more it is used.”

2022 LANDSCAPE AWARDS

Each year, we see beautiful, well-designed landscapes that truly showcase the best this industry has to offer. This year, stemming from 26 entries, there were 15 winners in the Merit category and 6 winners in the Excellence category.

We congratulate 2022 winners: Alpha Better Landscaping Inc., Delta Valley Landscaping Services Ltd., Jenron Creative Landscapes, JVR Landscape (2006) Inc., MaisonScapes, OnGrowing Works Ltd., Planta Landscape Inc., Salisbury Landscaping, Seasonal Impact Contracting Ltd., Terra Landscaping Ltd.

We would like to thank this year’s volunteer judges for taking their assignment seriously and giving so generously of their time and expertise: Andrew MacDonald, Lucas Steeves, Jeff Wilson, Chris Chetcuti, Bill Hardy, Christian Houle, Nathan Gill, Andrew Heighton, Mark Janzen and Wade McArthur.

THE LANDSCAPE AWARDS PROGRAM

The Landscape Awards reflect the association’s commitment to creating and preserving the beauty of the urban landscape. The program is also designed to reward independent landscape contracting professionals who execute top quality landscape projects.

The Landscape Awards program has four main objectives:

1. Encourage landscape contractors to be the best in their field

2. Provide a marketing opportunity to those companies that receive an award

3. Encourage a company’s employees to aspire to excellence

4. Provide an opportunity to compete in the National Awards of Landscape Excellence

Members can enter projects into nine different categories covering construction, maintenance and design. Each entry is evaluated using a set of criteria; the submissions are not judged against each other. There are two award levels: a Merit Award goes to an entry that earns 70-84 points, and an excellence Award goes to an entry earning 85 or more points. Entries that achieve Excellence status are eligible to be selected for the National Awards of Landscape Excellence, a Canada-wide program developed by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association.

We would also like to give a special thank you to Eagle Lake Nurseries and Oldcastle APG Canada West for being prize sponsors for the 2022 Landscape Awards.

SALISBURY LANDSCAPING THEUNE

Residential Landscape Construction

ONGROWING WORKS LTD.

PEACEFUL RETIREMENT OASIS

Residential Landscape Construction

JENRON CREATIVE LANDSCAPES LAKESIDE LIVING

Residential Landscape Construction

MAISONSCAPES

CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Residential Landscape Construction

JENRON CREATIVE LANDSCAPES

FAMILY FRIENDLY Residential Landscape Construction

2022

AWARDS