MAY/JUNE 2020
GROUNDWORK A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E L A N D S C A P E C O N T R A C T O R S A S S O C I A T I O N M D •D C •V A
Plant of the Month—Crape Myrtle Needle Cast Disease of Blue Spruce Expanding Business Opportunities for the Green Industry in Backyard Woodlots Nanobubbles vs. Fountains vs. Submersed Aeration: What’s the Difference?
contents
May/June 2020 4
Calendar of Events
5
President’s Message
6
Plant of the Month—Crape Myrtle
8
2019 Grand Award—Modern Farmhouse
10 Needle Cast Disease of Blue Spruce 15 Expanding Business Opportunities for the Green Industry in Backyard Woodlots 19 Nanobubbles vs. Fountains vs. Submersed Aeration: What’s the Difference? 22 Advertising Information Upcoming LCA Webinar for the Landscape and Horticultural Industries!
What Is Up in the Landscape This Spring? Thursday, May 28 10:00 am ET See page 14 for information
Modern Farmhouse
Plant of the Month
Colao & Peter Luxury Outdoor Living Craftsmanship
—GRAND AWARD— Crape Myrtle “Feature” and “Plant of the Month” articles can also be found online for LCA Members under the GROUNDWORK link in your Profile Home page at www.lcamddcva.org
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CALENDAR OF
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Aaron Raines—President Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC —(443) 763-8580 Josh Kane, CLT—Immediate Past President Kane Landscapes, Inc.—(703) 803-3146 Matt Glover, CLT—Vice President Wray Brothers Landscapes—(301) 906-1571
MAY 2020 15
Excellence in Landscape Awards Submission Opens
Paul Jester—Secretary/Treasurer J&G Landscape Design, Inc.—(301) 476-7600
28
LCA Webinar: What Is Up in the Landscape This Spring?
DIRECTORS Travis Hohmen, CLT Level Green Landscapes—(410) 689-9975
AUGUST 14
Excellence in Landscape Awards Submission Closes
Colin Jones Manor View Farm, Inc.—(717) 825-0405
SEPTEMBER 15
Networking Event: Nationals vs. Orioles
Nationals Park Washington, D.C.
James Kole, CLT Level Green Landscaping—(240) 429-3153 David Lindoerfer Inside Out Services, LLC—(301) 588-2002
The LCA Program Committee is planning events and training programs on topics designed to assist you as you grow your business.
Jeff Rossen Rossen Landscape—(703) 327-2284
Please visit our online calendar for updates coming soon.
Barry Schneider Surrounds, Inc.—(703) 906-7600
Ron Rubin SavATree—(703) 625-4400
Jeff Waters SiteOne Landscape Supply—(240) 375-7470
Root for the home team with LCA on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at Nationals Park as the team takes on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 pm. This is a great chance to cheer with your peers and knock your networking opportunities out of the park! Registration information coming soon.
LCA STAFF Thérèse O. Clemens, CAE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Julianne Clarke MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COORDINATOR Julie Hill SENIOR MARKETING DIRECTOR Meghan Maker MARKETING COORDINATOR Lynne Agoston EDITOR Maryia Alenchyk PRODUCTION MANAGER Barbara Bienkowski, CEM EXHIBITS/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Lynette Randazzo MEETING PLANNER Kiki DeVane ASSOCIATE MEETING PLANNER Dawn Rosenfeld DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES Deryck White WEBSITE MANAGER G R O U N D W O R K , the official publication of the Landscape
Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA, is published bimonthly by LCA, 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite LL 14, Rockville, MD 20850. P: (301) 948-0810 F: (301) 990-9771 E: lca@lcamddcva.org W: www.lcamddcva.org. Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5 pm (EST). LCA is not responsible for opinions expressed and facts presented by contributing authors. Editorial Deadline: The deadline to submit copy is the 20th of the month for the following bimonthly issue and is on a space– available basis. Advertising & Classifieds: All ads must be high-resolution PDF and pre‑paid. Contact Barbara Bienkowski at bbienkowski@msp-amc.com for more information and the deadline schedule. Copyright © 2020: Landscape Contractors Association, MD•DC•VA. Reproduction of any material allowed only with prior written permission from LCA. LCA’s core purpose is to advance the success of its members and provide a community for green industry professionals.
Nationals Park Bag Policy Update Beginning in 2019, backpacks may not be brought into Nationals Park except as otherwise provided in the Nationals Bag Policy. For a complete list of permitted bags and details about the locker storage option please visit the Nationals website: www.mlb.com/nationals.
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President’s Message
Aaron Raines 2020 President
During These Difficult Times, Unified Salesmanship Can Help Us Persevere
As green industry professionals, and as global citizens, we are currently facing unprecedented times. We’re experiencing significant disruptions to our working environments and our personal lives, and we have been asked to change our behavior in ways that feel new, foreign, and uncomfortable. But uncomfortable as they may be, we all have an obligation to protect the safety and welfare of those around us by helping to reduce the spread of the virus. This is, of course, important to do not only to protect the vulnerable but also to prevent deleterious effects to the function of our organizations that employ thousands of people across our region. In both our individual and collective capacities as employers, supervisors, and employees, there are many steps that we can take to ensure health and well-being as we continue to operate through the peak season. Providing PPE such as masks and gloves, implementing social distancing policies, installing handwashing and hand sanitizer stations, and regularly cleaning fleet vehicles as well as shared tools and equipment are just a few of the many protective measures that can be taken. These practices may seem costly, incon-
venient, or difficult to enforce, but they are actually within the scope of some of the core tenets of our industry: safety and training. They are of commonplace importance to us, and LCA members embody the utmost degree of industry excellence in our commitment to them. Our active efforts to better ourselves through participation in industry organizations is inherently reflective of this. So, we have professional and moral obligations to be attentive and fastidious to safety during this widespread public health crisis—but some of you may be worried about the implications of that. After all, these protective measures will have a twofold impact on our operations; they impact profits by necessitating additional purchases and disrupting efficiencies, all while the economy is signaling that additional costs may not be viable. But our longstanding commitment to excellence can actually serve as a method for sustaining our revenue streams and livelihoods in these volatile times. To achieve this, we need to utilize the characteristics of quality, safety, and professionalism that we embody as a sales tool. This should always be a key marketing strategy in our indus-
try, but it is especially important right now because these matters will be of the utmost importance to our clients. Promoting and emphasizing implemented safety measures will go a long way in attracting potential clients who may be wary of the risks of having work performed at their properties. This can include advertising your COVID-19 response on your website, incorporating these safety measures into your usual advertising methods, and reassuring potential clients at the beginning of the sales process. Once a lead is secured, educate potential clients about these measures in detail and emphasize the importance of safety. These strategies will help secure sales, but they cannot be a singular effort. Our industry is heavily saturated with unlicensed and unbranded entities, and this creates a stereotypical public image—one that won’t serve to assuage safety concerns. We need a concerted and unified effort to change public perceptions and sell our commitment to these principles. Fortunately, we as LCA members already individually possess the necessary branding to contribute to an industrywide rebrand. We are clean, organized, and hallmarked organizations that Continued on page 14
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Plant of the Month
Instant Impact for a Gloomy Garden By Aaron Schemeck, Ruppert Landscape
Purple Magic Crape Myrtle
After working for a handful of landscape design firms along the East Coast, from Florida to Pennsylvania, and spending almost a decade abroad in locations with varying climates, there has been one tree that is universally used: the crape myrtle. From five-star resorts to front yard accents, these plants get their fair share of use and seem indestructible in most applications. With such a wide variety of species to choose from, size is one of the key factors to consider when placing these beauties. Giants like Natchez, Tuscarora, and Muskogee crape myrtle can reach up to 30 feet tall and definitely have their place in the landscape when looking to provide reprieve from the sun or planted as buffer to hide mechanical structures. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some of the latest trends identify species that are growing as low as 2
feet tall and are much less prone to pink throughout the garden. While disease and the need for the intrusive these have their place in the standard cutbacks most often seen with older, plant palette, I am always drawn to taller trees. With that in mind, let’s plant material that is a bit out of the focus on some of the smaller, more ordinary. With that in mind, the versatile options described as dwarf Magic Series of crape myrtles offers and miniature, respectively. Used two of my favorite varieties to create as single accent plants or aligned in a row for a colorful hedge, these pla nt s comple me nt a ny g a rden structure. As w it h t he ta l ler c r a p e my r t l e s , these also come in a variety of colors—notably the popular World’s Fair, Pokomoke, Midnight Magic crape myrtle is considered a dwarf shrub: round in and Sacramento, shape, growing up to 4–6 feet tall and similar in width. This variety’s leaves will breathe life into a tired landscape, and while w h i c h p r o v i d e purple/maroon in bloom (July through September), its amazing dark pink flowers i n t e g r a l c o l o r cover the shrub, adding visual impact. It thrives in the warmer weather of summer and will rebloom in late summer if the first push of flowers tones of red and is deadheaded.
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there is no need If the soil is on the basic side, to modify it. They choose a fertilizer that is designed are resistant to for acid-loving plants. Dwarf/mindiseases like pow- iature crape myrtles do not generdery mildew and ally require pruning, but if needed, are seldom eaten prune when they are dormant to by deer. Aphids remove any dead, dying, or crowded are one of the few branches. Pruning can be minimized pests that attack by choosing a variety that fits best in crape myrtles— your chosen spot. but minor infections aren’t likely Compact, dense, and colorful, this to cause problems. tree/shrub variation of the crape The Purple Magic crape myrtle grows 6–8 feet high, making this A severe infec- myrtle is absolutely stunning. Give a perfect compact ornamental tree to dress up any landscape. It produces an abundance of purple blooms July through September, but tion can weaken it sunlight and good drainage, and it its new growth starts out as red in the spring before turning green in the summer. a tree for sure, will take off with little maintenance, but aphids can be enabling you to sit back, relax, and that “wow” factor and drama in the treated naturally with horticultural watch this show-stopping crepe myrgarden setting: the Midnight Magic oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. tle perform magic before your eyes! and Purple Magic crape myrtle. In both instances, the flowers provide If growing zone guidelines are fola blast of color while the dark stems lowed for the variety plant, the instill a more subdued backdrop. It dw a r f/m i n iat u re pu r ple crape will thrive on its own as a specimen myrtle can be plant, look great as a focal point for i n s t a l le d ju s t a bed or garden, or will work in con- about any time cert when planted among perennial of year, and they groundcover, especially if comple- d o n’t r e q u i r e mented by colors of tan grasses and m u c h m a i n yellow flowering annuals. This vari- tenance at all. ety tends to grow more like a large, Crape my r t les full bush than a tree. The mature are drought tolsize of this tree-shrub is 6–8 feet erant and once tall and wide, so choosing the right e s t a b l i s h e d , spot that enables proper spacing n e e d t o b e is a must. This crape myrtle would watered deeply look great framing a front door or only about once the front entrance of a driveway or a w e e k (d u rcan look great as a grouped hedge or i n g t h e fi r s t cluster. By planting about 5 or 6 feet t h re e mont h s apart, it can even provide privacy in they should be McCartin Insurance offers spring, summer, and fall. watered twice a liability insurance tailored week). Fertilize These trees prefer full sun but can in early spring for landscape contractors. tolerate some shade and are adapt- with a balanced, able to just about any soil if it is slow-release ferPROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FOR LESS well-draining. Crape myrtles do tilizer to give the CALL OR VISIT US TODAY TO SAVE! enjoy a slightly acidic soil, with a pH tree a boost and range of 5.0 or 6.5 being ideal, but help it achieve 301-837-1080 / www.mccartin.com if the soil isn’t extremely alkaline, the best blooms.
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2019 Grand Award
Modern Farmhouse Colao & Peter Luxury Outdoor Living
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The client hired us to design and build an outdoor environment that would complement their newly renovated modern farmhouse. They wanted to use traditional materials in modern applications that would blend with the unique style of the house and would flow with the natural views of the vineyards surrounding their property. GROUNDWORK 9 M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 0
Needle Cast Disease of Blue Spruce By David L. Clement, Ph.D., University of Maryland Extension, Home and Garden Information Center; Karen K. Rane, Ph.D., University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Laboratory; and Christa K. Carignan, CPH, CBLP, University of Maryland Extension, Home and Garden Information Center
Blue spruce, although not native or adapted to Maryland, are in high demand by homeowners and are valued for their attractive color and shape. However, this species suffers from a number of pests and diseases in our region. Needle cast is one such problem, and it has been prevalent in Maryland landscape blue spruce trees for the past several years. Infections year after year have contributed to dieback and decline symptoms. The needle cast fungus, Rhizosphaeria kalkoffii, is the primary needle pathogen we see in Maryland. The fungus can overwinter on fallen dead needles as well as infected needles still in the canopy. Current-year foliage is susceptible to infection throughout the first year, whenever
Blue spruce rhizosphaeria needle cast.
weather is wet and temperatures are moderate. Symptoms can begin as yellowing current year foliage in late summer or fall, but symptoms may not develop until the winter or early spring of the following year. Needles will turn brown or purplish brown and fall from the tree as new growth is developing. Symptoms usually start on lower branches and interior
Blue spruce with needle cast.
twigs. Tree branches can decline and die after three to four years of successive defoliation. The fungus produces diagnostic fungal fruiting bodies on the needles that can be seen with a hand lens or a microscope. They develop in early winter to late spring and appear as black spheres capped with wax along the lines of the needle stomata. Practical management of this disease is difficult because the infection period can extend from spring through fall depending on rainfall. Infected and diseased needles can remain on the tree up to 12–15 months after infection. The pathogen can also produce infective spores on living as well as recently dead needles. These infection periods can extend over an entire growing season and follow into the next year, so timely fungicide sprays are impractical for most homeowner trees.
Continued on page 12 GROUNDWORK 1 0 M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 0
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Needle Cast Disease of Blue Spruce continued Severely diseased trees should be removed and replaced with better adapted conifers for the mid-Atlantic region. The University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center has a list of plants for privacy screening on its website. Visit extension.umd.edu/hgic and search “plants for mixed privacy screens.” The list includes conifers as well as deciduous trees and shrubs. The selection of several different species, rather than many plants of a single type, is encouraged. More plant diversity in the landscape provides better resiliency against diseases, pests, and environmental stressors.
Blue spruce with needle cast.
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President’s Message continued correspondingly invest in fleets and uniforms and quality materials. These efforts are expensive, and our services are necessarily priced accordingly. At times, we have lost business to low-cost, low-quality competitors; however, in the current market, our quality is our strength. We should all be promoting our protective measures to set our services apart from those who aren’t doing so. If we, together, put forth an industry standard in our commitment to the safety of our clients and employees, we can secure stability for our organizations.
our colleagues, and our businesses. We have a moral obligation to do so, and we also have an opportunity to utilize this commitment to health and safety to ensure that our businesses can continue to provide stable incomes for employees and their families. By promoting these efforts, we can secure the revenue that will allow us to financially sustain these moral and professional best practices. And, when the public health crisis is over, the strides we take toward a collective industry rebrand will continue to benefit us for years to come.
As we face this public health crisis, implementing safety measures will be a vital element to protecting ourselves,
Aaron Raines LCA President
Upcoming LCA Webinar for the Landscape and Horticultural Industries!
What Is Up in the Landscape This Spring? Thursday, May 28 | 10:00 am ET Four University of Maryland Extension Specialists in horticulture, entomology, and pathology will walk you through the current disease, insect, mite, and nutrient disorders you should be watching out for in early summer. Each season is new with a fresh set of problems popping up in the landscape. Join these experts as they explain the diagnostic process of figuring out what can go wrong in the landscape. Easy to follow solutions will be shared to solve the major dilemmas in 2020. This is an opportunity to fine tune your diagnostic skills. The webinar will consist of 60 minutes of lecture followed by 30 minutes of attendee questions.
Speakers
Registration Fees
• David Clement, University of Maryland Extension Plant Pathology Specialist, HGIC
Member–$39 Nonmember–$49
• Stanton Gill, University of Maryland Extension Specialist in IPM and Entomology, CMREC • Karen Rane, Plant Pathologist and Director of the University of Maryland Plant Diagnostic Laboratory • Andrew Ristvey, University of Maryland Extension Specialist in Commercial Horticulture, WYEREC, with an expertise in nutrient and water plant related problem solving
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Sponsorship opportunity available. Contact Barbara Bienkowski at bbienkowski@MSP-AMC.com or (240) 404-6481.
Reserve Your Spot
Webinar sponsored by SavATree
Expanding Business Opportunities for the Green Industry in Backyard Woodlots Jonathan Kays, Forestry Extension Specialist, University of Maryland Extension, and Adam Downing, Extension Forestry Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension
The bread and butter of the landscape industry revolves around providing services to clients for everything from turf, trees, gardens, special plantings and structures, and other elements. A growing interest in natural landscaping and woodland health is creating niche market opportunities. The Uni-
versity Extension organizations in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania have been using “The Woods In Your Backyard” program to educate small acreage owners about the creation and enhancement of natural areas on their property since 2006. Surveys and frequent inquires reveal that small-acreage owners are seeking service providers to offer services related to establishment and management of natural areas. This kind of business has been referred to as “Land Care,” which is the term that will be used in the remainder of this article as we explore the opportunities and resources of potential interest to green industry business owners.
Expanding a forested area into a lawn using planted tree seedlings with tree shelters to protect from deer browsing. Many years of maintenance are required.
Small-Acreage Landowners Increasing
Demographic and landscape changes have created this opportunity. Rapid development in many areas of the Mid-Atlantic has resulted in the subdivision of farms and woodlands into small acreage/large lot subdivisions. Homeowners who purchase these properties often have questions, however. If I have acres of grass to mow and want to reduce that, what are lower maintenance (but still appealing) options? If I plant trees, what kind should I plant, and how do I protect them from deer browsing? If the property already has woods, the question may be what should I do to maintain or even improve the woodlands health? What can I do to help wildlife or discourage nuisance wildlife? How does one create a trail, control invasive species, manage vines, decide what trees to cut for firewood, etc. W hi le answers and sources of assistance for these questions on larger acreages are generally easily accessed, the same is not true for smaller acreages that fall between large acreage and house-lot size properties. We believe that professionals already working “in the neighborhood” in rural subdivisions represent the best opportunity to both meet the needs and profit from it. While
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Expanding Business Opportunities for the Green Industry in Backyard Woodlots continued most landscapers and arborists have not offered services “beyond the yard,” various land care practices might be easily integrated into an existing suite of services you offer. Land care services target creation or enhancement of natural areas.
The Woods In Your Backyard: Helping Landowners
“The Woods in Your Backyard” pro g r a m h a s reached thousands of smalla c r e a g e landowners through workshop s , we bina rs, a nd on l i ne cla sses. T he self-assessment guide and workbook The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home, has sold over 14,000 copies and is designed for owners of 1 to 9 acres of land with no existing knowledge of forestry or wildlife. The guide uses lessons, followed by outdoor investigative activities. A
case study is used to help the landowner identify his or her interests in the land, draw a map, inventory the property, apply ecological principles, and put knowledge into practice. The manual also provides a primer on how to identify different species of trees and how to deal with invasive species and wildlife damage. A downloadable self-guided workbook facilitates property assessment, goals articulation, and plan development. While developed primarily for landowners, it is also useful as a reference and process tool for smallacreage service providers.
Opportunities for Arborists and Landscapers
Learning to sell and apply land care for natural areas establishment and maintenance may present new income opportunities. A survey of online class participants found that 42% had contacted a service provider after taking the class. Of those, 54% contacted someone in the green industry. Another 31% contacted professionals who focus on invasive plant management and/or professionals in public service.
Educating clients that “messy” is good for wildlife is a challenge. The manual can help.
These same participants were asked about land care practices they have or would do themselves versus practices they would pay for. Not surprisingly, the types of things folks want to hire out often require special skills, knowledge, and/or equipment. Among the most commonly listed projects they would pay for were tree and shrub planting, using herbicides to control invasive plants, and habitat enhancement. To meet these interests, there are a variety of land care practices you might consider offering, such as: 1) preparing and planting an existing lawn area with trees; 2) controlling vines; 3) controlling invasive plants; 4) designing and creating trails; 5) creating and maintaining tall grass meadows; 6) developing edge habitat and brush piles; 7) felling trees for firewood; and 8) establishing wildlife food plots. The big question is are landowners willing to pay for services? Our experience and research suggest there is an unmet demand for service providers, and informal interviews with the few who are doing this indicate it can be profitable. Other considerations of “does this make business sense” should include seasonality and marketing value. Many of the land care practices, such as invasive control, trail development, and tree planting, can be done in the dormant months when work for landscapers is lacking. The ability to talk with your clients about natural areas may be a cue to some of your environmental stewardship and give you the edge over a competitor.
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Smart Controls For Landscape Lighting New smart controls offer clients maximum control with minimum maintenance and expense
Smart control technology offers clients more options and flexibility for lighting controls than ever before. Clients can control their landscape lighting using an app on their smart phone. The three main types of smart controls for landscape lighting systems are: WIFI-based control systems; fixture manufacturer proprietary controls; and HUB-based controls. Of these three, we find HUB-based systems provide the best experience and overall value to our homeowners. WIFI-based smart controls are a good option for budget-conscious, tech-savvy clients. A smartphone app sends a signal over the home WIFI network to a smart plug at the transformer. Examples of WIFIbased smart plugs include Wemo and Kasa. This equipment is inexpensive, costing about the same as traditional timers. One downside is that smart plugs will occasionally (once or twice a year) disconnect from the WIFI due to firmware updates, or power outages. When this happens, the smart plug receiver will need to be re-installed. This option is a good choice for clients who are willing, and capable of taking care of some on-going maintenance. Proprietary Controls offered by fixture manufacturers such as Brilliance LED, FX Luxor, and Alliance also offer app-controlled products, using WIFI or BLUETOOTH. These systems offer the benefits that other smart control
systems provide, but tend to be unreliable. Fixture manufacturers typically do not specialize in controls, offering them as add-ons to their core product, light fixtures. Smart phone app updates tend to be infrequent and inadequate, making these products prone to glitches. HUB-based systems are more complex and expensive than other options, but are the most reliable. The system consists of a hub and smart plugs. The hub is hardwired directly to a modem/router, and sends out its own, amplified signal, rather than depending on the home WIFI signal. This eliminates the problem of re-setting smart plug receivers. Made by major electronics manufacturers such as Samsung (Samsung Smart Things) and Lutron (Lutron Casetta), these companies have the necessary resources required to regularly maintain and update their apps. As a result, HUBS tend to work seamlessly, with minimal ongoing maintenance. We recommend and install HUB based systems. At a slightly higher price, hubs use regularly maintained apps that work well and rarely require smart plug receivers to be reconnected. Clients have the convenience of app controls, with minimal ongoing maintenance. These systems can be installed with new landscape lighting projects or retrofitted to existing systems. To learn more please visit olsonweaver.com or call 703.881.1841.
703-881-1841 olsonweaver.com
Expanding Business Opportunities for the Green Industry in Backyard Woodlots continued Green Industry Training Program Coming Soon!
The University of Maryland Extension, in partnership with other organizations, is developing two publications: 1) a woodland health checklist that Woodland Health Professionals (WHPs) can use with clients to help them identify land care practices for their property; and, 2) a Land Care Practices Handbook that will be used for green industry trainings. The hands-on workshops will demonstrate how to use a woodland health checklist and how to implement land care practices, many of which rely upon the use of forestry tools and techniques scaled down for smaller properties. The training will help participants learn some of the techniques and knowledge needed to get a Category 2 Commercial Pesticide Applicators license for use in forestry applications. International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) credits will be available. If you want to be notified of available training opportunities or learn more, contact Jonathan Kays, Forestry Specialist, University of Maryland Extension, at (301) 432-2767 x323 or jkays@umd.edu, or Adam Downing, Extension Forestry Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, at (540) 948-6881 or adowning@vt.edu
This maintained trail in a 2-acre backyard woods can provide sanctuary and recreational enjoyment. Trail creation for clients allows them to access their woods.
Controlling invasive plants and vines using herbicides with proper PPE (personal protection equipment) can be effective on smaller properties.
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Nanobubbles vs. Fountains vs. Submersed Aeration: What’s the Difference? By Bo Burns, Biologist and Market Development Manager, SOLitude Lake Management
Natural processes facilitate the exchange of dissolved oxygen (DO) at the surface of our lakes and stormwater ponds, allowing desirable life to thrive below. However, pollution, invasive aquatic weed growth and nuisance algae blooms can cover the surface of the water, preventing DO from reaching the areas that need it. The result—poor water quality, bad odors, bottom muck, massive fish kills, and potentially deadly toxic algae blooms. Luckily, several lake and pond aeration solutions are available to naturally correct imbalanced DO
conditions—each with their own unique benefits and limitations. Floating and architectural fountains are one option for aeration in lakes and ponds. In addition to serving as an aesthetic focal point, properly sized fountains provide essential water column mixing in shallow waterbodies. As fountain water falls from the air in pleasing patterns, it bursts across the surface, accelerating the release of submersed gases, helping to reverse nutrient pollution and introducing beneficial DO into the top layer of water. When the fountain is turned off, however, these benefits can subside.
Floating fountains provide aesthetic value and increase water circulation near the surface, making them an excellent management tool for shallow lakes and ponds.
Another form of aeration that is recommended in large lakes and ponds is submersed aeration. In contrast to fountains, submersed aeration systems utilize an on-shore compressor to pump air through subsurface tubes and diffusers that oxygenate and circulate the water from bottom to top. As bubbles rise from the depths to the surface, they increase DO throughout the waterbody and disrupt undesirable stratification. Like floating fountains, submersed aeration systems help convert nutrients to more diluted forms that cannot sustain nuisance aquatic weed and algae growth, though they do not directly target these infestations. For the best results, these systems should be placed in lower depths as they may not properly circulate shallow water. New aeration alternatives, like n a nobubble t e c h nolo g y, h ave helped maximize the benefits of both fountains and submersed aeration systems. Similar to “traditional” submersed aeration systems, nanobubbles are produced by compact on-shore generators, but they are about 1 million times smaller than ordinary bubbles and have a strong negative surface charge. As a result, they provide long-lasting oxygenation within the water column—and even the sediments—for up to 2-3 months without popping.
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Nanobubbles vs. Fountains vs. Submersed Aeration: What’s the Difference? continued
Submersed aerators are excellent solutions for deeper lakes and ponds in need of circulation.
Because nanobubbles do not rise to the surface, they do not offer the vertical mixing benefits provided by fountains and standard diffusers. Nanobubbles are not only effective at reducing odors, breaking down bottom muck and restoring water quality; some manufacturers have registered their equipment as a pesti-
cidal device with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning it can be used to naturally eradicate nuisance algae and toxic cyanobacteria. And unlike traditional aeration systems, you don’t have to own an actual nanobubble system to reap the benefits. Through an annual management plan, nanobubbles can be introduced into your waterbody via recurring when the aquatic ecosystem needs it. This approach helps ensure the your waterbody receives the custom, balanced care it requires without the need to purchase or permanently install a nanobubble system on your property. Each of these lake and pond solutions works differently—and they accomplish very different things. Using them in a variety pairing
based on your given situation may help better target your unique water quality problems. No matter how you use your waterbody, it’s worth leveraging these natural management tools to ensure the future of your freshwater resource. Bo Burns is a market development manager at SOLitude Lake Management, an industry-leading environmental firm. He specializes in the research and development of new technologies using more than 30 years of industry experience along with a Master of Environmental Management in Resource and Wetland Ecology from Duke University. Learn more about the sustainable management of lakes, stormwater ponds, wetlands, and fisheries at www.solitudelakemanagement.com/knowledge.
In addition to increasing dissolved oxygen levels throughout the water column, nanobubble technology can naturally eliminate nuisance and harmful algal blooms.
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LCA 2020 EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE AWARDS Online Awards Submission Open From May 15–August 14 “If it weren’t for the LCA Awards, we wouldn’t be half the company we are today. The LCA Awards are a significant part of our overall marketing plan, and we try to submit 4 or 5 projects every year.” Barry Schneider, President, Surrounds, Inc. LCA Excellence in Landscape Awards recognize your best projects, and winners are featured in HOME & DESIGN magazine. Enjoy these features offering convenience and value: • New Submission Platform—The new submission site lets you upload photos, write descriptions, save and then return to your work, and submit each project with entry fee, all on one user-friendly platform. • Plaques Included—Each award winner will receive one plaque free of charge. • Entries Judged Against Criteria Only—Each entry is judged against its own category criteria—not against other submissions—so each category can have an unlimited number of winners!
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CHIEF MOUNTAIN FARMS, LLC
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