VNLA News - Summer 2019

Summer 2019

The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine

Save the Date for

VNLA Field Day

August 1–2 Plus

Pollinators of the Forest

12

16

20

Contents | Summer 2019 Departments

12 Cover Story Save the Date for VNLA Field Day, August 1–2 16 Feature Article Pollinators of the Forest 20 Industry News Updates from CBLP VOSH Programs 2 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

4 From the President 6 News from VNLA 6 Welcome, New VNLA Members 19 Index of Advertisers

President’s Message

A New Season Dear VNLA Members, I am proud to serve you as the President of VNLA’s Board of Directors for 2019.

Please join me in thanking Aaron Williams for his service last year during a time of transition. He is an exemplary mentor and a valued colleague to the VNLA Board.

Recently, the VNLA Board experienced a few changes. I want to thank Brad Bobenrieth, Paul Munn and Virginia Rockwell for their time, dedication and expertise while serving on the Board. I also have the pleasure of introducing Neal Beasley and Marshall Saunders, who joined the Board this past January. They will help to revamp the Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) program and represent our interests at state meetings. I also wish Jim Owen well as he spends a year in Canada on sabbatical.

During the last year, we have worked tirelessly to analyze and review processes and responsibilities. After hours of review and discussion we made several decisions to streamline member communications and more efficiently administer the Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) exam.

We are pleased to work with Leading Edge Communications, who will publish the VNLA newsletters and Guide to Virginia Growers Guide. You will notice a refreshed newsletter format with a focus to provide members with timely and pertinent content along with updates on what’s happening in the VNLA universe.

The VCH exam is now offered in an online format and was proctored in several locations this spring. Special thanks goes out to the VCH Committee for getting this task accomplished. We will continue to improve processes to enhance the VCH program.

In the near future, we look to implement updated membership management software tools and a refreshed VNLA website. A goal is to significantly improve the delivery and availability of resources for you and more user-friendly processes to access and manage your membership information online.

In closing, please be sure to join us at Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia on August 1 for Field Day. We are very thankful to this year’s host and look forward to a fantastic day!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at brenthunsinger@gmail.com.

I wish you all a healthy and productive spring!

Respectfully, Brent Hunsinger 2019 VNLA President

4 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 • Fax: (804) 709 0288 Email: info@vnla.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street • Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 • Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com 2019 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors Executive Committee President Brent Hunsinger 2015 Brent’s Native Plantings • Fredericksburg, VA Vice President Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms • Suffolk, VA Secretary Treasurer Legislative/Policy Chair Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms • Chantilly, VA Past President Aaron Williams 2014 Board Recruitment Williams Landscape & Design • Williamsburg, VA Executive Director Shellie Archer Richmond, VA Directors Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Rep., VNLA South Riding Nurseries • Bristow, VA Jeffrey Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping Co. • Afton, VA Mitzi Marker 2017 Research Foundation Chair Sandy’s Plants • Mechanicsville, VA Cecilia Palmer 2017 Continuing Education Chair West Winds Nursery/Shade Tree Farm • Sudley Springs, VA Scott Price 2016 David Scott Price Design • Earlysville, VA Jim Hassold 2018 Membership & Communication Chair SiteOne • Richmond, VA Jason Stern 2018 Eastern Shore Nursery of VA • Melfa, VA Neal Beasley 2019 Certification/VCH* Chair Timmons Group • Richmond, VA Marshall Saunders 2019 Saunders Brothers • Piney River, VA Ex-Officio, virtue of office: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA Jim Owen, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC • VA Beach, VA David Seward J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA * VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist

Smithfield, Virginia Locations in Smithfield, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Currituck, NC Local: (757) 483-1425

www.bcnursery.com

Toll Free: (800) 343-4611 Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

5

News from VNLA

Welcome to

the new VNLA News!

We

are excited to introduce the new VNLA News – made with our members in mind to provide a resource for landscape industry professionals. We will bring you the most up-to-date information from VNLA and our partners across the state to help you grow and advance your business.

If you are interested in advertising or contributing to VNLA News, please contact us at: info@leadingedgecommunications.com

We hope you love our new look!

Welcome

New Members!

Michelle Albert Associate Member Chesapeake, VA

Cynthia Devereaux DesigningRoots Midlothian, VA

Anne Leddy Leddy Wilson, LLC Moon, VA

Nadine Oswald Associate Member Henrico, VA

Dawn Alleman Associate Member Williamsburg, VA

Melanie Feldman Associate Member Charlottesville, VA

Corey Lockhart Associate Member Leesburg, VA

Chris Peters Southern Stone & Landscape Creations Unionville, VA

Cathy Bailey Fortney Lawn & Garden Woodbridge, VA

Jennifer Fowler Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA

Pamala Lohr-Flinn Associate Member Strasburg, VA

Neal Beasley Timmons Group North Chesterfield, VA Craig Bradley Monrovia Azusa, CA Wesley Chiles Chiles Enterprises Louisa, VA Steven Cohen BCLS Landscape Services Ashland, VA Jay Cooper CoopCo! Architectural Sales Group Lynchburg, VA 6 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

DeWayne Hendricks Infinite Landscape Design Lovettsville, VA Melanie Huber-Cohen BCLS Landscape Services Ashland, VA Sid Johnson Associate Member Colonial Beach, VA Michele Kruggel Bennett’s Creek Nursery Smithfield, VA Kathryn Lambert Florish Virginia Beach, VA

Anna Maly Meridian Landscaping Sterling, VA Teresa Mantooth Bennett’s Creek Nursery Smithfield, VA Joshua Martin Associate Member Farmville, VA Juan Meza Associate Member Warrenton, VA Broon Munford BCLS Landscape Services Ashland, VA

Kathy Robertson Robertson Farms Virginia Beach, VA Howard Rose BCLS Landscape Services Ashland, VA Greg Waters Snow & Ice Management Crozier, VA Karen Weaver Olson Weaver, LLC Arlington, VA Scott Wiley Timmons Group North Chesterfield, VA Alexander Wilson Leddy Wilson, LLC Moon, VA

continued

• News from VNLA

2019 National Collegiate Landscape Competition

By Scott Douglas, Virginia Tech

A

team of 24 students and four faculty/staff members represented Virginia Tech in the 2019 National Collegiate Landscape Competition (NCLC) at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado on March 20–23. NCLC is the premier event for students in the green industry and includes 29 competitive events, scholarship awards, and a career fair. The 29 competitions cover a wide spectrum of topics, including design, equipment operation, plant identification, and installation. Over 800 students representing 64 schools attended the event.

Virginia Tech finished in 8th place out of 64 schools, an improvement over their 10th place finish in 2018. Three students finished in first place in events: Will Lewis (Compact Excavator Operation), Joe Mills (Skid Steer Loader Operation), and Jonathan Ceritelli (Small Engine Repair). Other top finishers on the Virginia Tech team included: Jack Lerch (second place in Maintenance Cost Estimating), Marshall Jones and Jack Loffredo (third place in Wood Construction) and Tyler Rigsby and Robert Armstrong (third place in Truck and Trailer Operation). Overall, 15 Hokies finished in the top ten of their events. Additionally, four Virginia Tech students received $1,000 scholarships: Tess Reeves, Molly Austin, Rachel LaFlamme, and Joe Mills.

The Virginia Tech NCLC team is moving up the overall NCLC ranking and the team will build on this momentum as they prepare for the 2020 NCLC event, which will be at Michigan State University on March 18–21, 2020. Virginia Tech will host the event in Blacksburg the following year, during spring break in March of 2021. Mark your calendars and plan to attend or volunteer to work the event.

The 2019 Virginia Tech NCLC team would like to thank everyone who sponsored the trip: VT College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, VT Agriculture Technology Program, VT Horticulture Club, VT Landscape Architecture Department, McHale Landscape Design, Aquatic Edge, Brookemeade Sod Farm, Hidden Lane Landscape, Grigg Design, Williams Brothers Tree and Lawn Service, Greenline Service-John Deere, James River Nursery, Arborscapes, Kane Landscapes, Valley Landscape, Heritage Landscape Services (HLS), Ruppert Landscape, Williams Landscape & Design, Southern Landscape Group, Rossen Landscape, Brightview, LandCare, Ruppert Landscape (Richmond South), The Denison Group, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, Alex Niemiera, Tom Martin, Patricia Ceperley, and Mickey Hayes.

For more information on the NCLC team, please contact one of the faculty/staff advisors: Barbara Leshyn (bkraft@vt.edu), Scott Douglas (dsd1@vt.edu), Tom Martin (thmarti2@vt.edu), or John James (jojames3@vt.edu). • Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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7

News from VNLA • continued

Virginia Certified Horticulturalist Program Update

G

reetings to all Virginia Certified Horticulturists (VCH) and aspiring VCHs. My name is Neal Beasley and I am a licensed Landscape Architect at the Timmons Group where I have been practicing for over 13 years. Many of you may recall my previous employment while I was with Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA. I was either a Horticulturist or the Manager of Horticulture for 12 years as we effectively built the Gardens that you see there today. At Lewis Ginter, education was one of its primary missions. Now, as a Landscape Architect, I see the need for more opportunities to learn and expand our understanding of the natural world we all share. Becoming certified and maintaining your certification is an extraordinary way to stay in touch with trends. It also offers opportunities to learn about the most recent horticultural research and network with the professionals of our field while making yourself known to others.

Recently, I volunteered my time to serve on the VNLA’s Board of Directors and have been asked to Chair the VNLA’s Certification Program and Committee. Over the past several months, I have talked with members of the Certification Committee about the future of the program and shared ideas related to its progress and a more effective system of testing and re-certification. I was pleased to learn that the Certification Committee has already been actively pursuing several of these ideas and initiatives. The improvement process will take time. Please know that we are making progress and eager to keep the ball rolling so that we can better reach more and more people in our industry.

The Certification Committee has been working diligently to upgrade the VCH program in ways to modernize and bring it in line with comparable certification operations. One such noticeable advancement is the transition away from a paper administered exam to a computer-based exam. Utilizing ClassMarker, an online platform, we transitioned the VCH exam and proctored this year’s exams using the ClassMarker system. For those of you that have been in the weeds of starting your own company, establishing a new policy or procedure, or even introducing a new menu item to kids at the dinner table, you understand that we need to be patient and understanding as it may take some time to embrace change. There may be wrinkles that will have to be ironed out. As we administer the test in this fashion, we will assess and continue to implement improvements. I hope that all candidates experience an enhancement in the administration of the program and appreciate the technology relationship.

Moving forward in this direction, we feel we can grow the program making it more accessible to more of you.

8 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

Have you seen the revised form for Continuing Education Unit (CEU) reporting? One of my personal goals is to make sure everyone understands the system and parameters of earning CEU credits. The CEU reporting form has been revised to more clearly show expectations. Don’t forget that 30 CEUs are required for re-certification within three-year period of a VCH credential. Each CEU must be affiliated with a learning experience, either as a student or an instructor/ presenter. If your organization hosts a seminar, lecture, symposium, etc. on the topic of horticulture (landscape, nursery, horticulture therapy, etc.) please send your program information to the VNLA office and/or myself. The program information will be reviewed. Prior to the event, we will let you know how many CEUs we will honor and attendees can earn. You can then share that information with any participating VCHs so they understand the CEU opportunities.

I recommend that you download the CEU reporting form and save it to your computer, keeping it handy so that you can fill it in as you participate in learning events. It’s a fillable PDF so you can continue to populate it as you go. Looking ahead, the Certification Committee will explore alternative ways of reporting to include online processes. I understand this is a critical need and our goal is to improve the retention numbers of the VCH program. Personally, I know keeping up with CEU’s can be demanding. We will do everything we can to make VCH CEU reporting more efficient and user-friendly.

I give personal thanks to the committee’s efforts to date, specifically with the transition to ClassMarker, and we all look forward to more great things to come. Jeff Howe, Laurie Fox, Seana Ankers, Dave Seward and Shellie Archer are driven individuals that understand the importance of education, accomplishment and establishing and implementing continuously improved processes. To become certified should be a goal of every landscaper, grower, retailer, designer, caretaker, owner, teacher, therapist and administrator in our industry. What does a VCH credential mean to you? Does it build credibility? Does it allow you to work on projects that non-certified individuals cannot? Can you earn more money as a result of being certified? Does it elevate your status within your company? Does it connect you with a professional organization? Does it set a standard for learning? I would guess that all of these scenarios benefit from being certified.

Please reach out and ask how you can become a Virginia Certified Horticulturist. For VNLA member companies: how you can assist your employees with pursuing their credential as a Virginia Certified Horticulturist?

Neal P. Beasley VNLA Certification Committee Chair

continued

• News from VNLA

New Virginia Certified Horticulturalists!

Congrats,

Julie Wunibald Williams Landscape & Design, Inc.

Kelsey Deans Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Anthony Craig Williams Landscape & Design, Inc.

Joe Hunt Maymont Foundation

Jonathan Leach Williams Landscape & Design, Inc. Robert Root Williams Landscape & Design, Inc. Steve Reardon Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Sarah Mullarney SG Designs Beth Henderson City of Newport News Robbie Layne James River Nurseries James Coleman Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Nick Wharton Ruppert Companies Richmond SOUTH

Nadine Oswald Associate member

Robert Myers JW Townsend Stephen Bryant JW Townsend Todd Richmond JW Townsend

Nick Johnson Robbins Landscaping

Caroline Bristol Associate member

Menaka Dewasinghe Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Juan Meza Frontier Landscape Services

Hope Phillips Associate member

Eric Buxton KT enterprises

Tracey Miceli The Growing Fields Todd Tressler Chiles Enterprises Aaron Bridgeforth Snow’s Garden Center Floyd Wilson Dos Amigos Brittany Barnett JW Townsend David Lincoln JW Townsend

Shannon Petska Strange’s Garden Center

David Moore-Wallahee JW Townsend

Cari George Sharp Landscaping, Inc.

Kevin Hensley JW Townsend

Scott Phillips Lee Highway Nursery Mechelle Pontier Lee Highway Nursery Rayou Chuon Surrounds Landscape Architecture Carolyn Vincent Carolyn Vincent Landscape Design Kyle Gregory Merrifield Garden Center Kathryn Dietz Merrifield Garden Center

Results through April 2019

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

9

News from VNLA • continued

Virginia Society of Landscape Designers Tour September 19 – 20, 2019 • Fauquier County, Virginia Limited to 30 guests, traveling in VSLD vans only Theme: Gardens with a Purpose (10 CEUs) Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s goal is to inspire and facilitate scholarship, public dialogue and consequential action related to plants, gardens and landscapes. The activities and programs are structured to meet these goals in a variety of areas that leverage Bunny Mellon’s legacy, including her gardens, Library, home, and 700 acres of land.

Trinity Episcopal Church complex, which sits

on 35 acres with rectory, related buildings and parish house, was a gift of parishioners Paul and Bunny Mellon. It offers a quiet oasis from the world.

The State Arboretum of Virginia

(also known as the Orland E. White Arboretum) occupies the central 172 acres of Blandy Experimental Farm. Started in the 1930s, it now contains over 5000 woody trees and shrubs from around the world. It is a reference garden for the Southeast Region of the American Conifer Society and includes the American Boxwood Society’s Memorial Garden.

The estate of the Inn at Little Washington is currently fighting boxwood plight in its quest to maintain perfectly manicured structures for lush plantings.

Three private homes in this hilly area feature

fine hardscape design to mitigate drainage problems.

10 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

Airlie is committed to being a chemical free estate.

It has vegetable gardens, a farm to table restaurant, formal boxwood garden, and site of the original Earth Day celebration.

Cost: $250.00 Checks payable to VSLD (memo September Tour) Mail to:

Jane Abbott 16 Willway Ave Richmond, VA 23226 Include your email address and cell phone number.

We will maintain a waiting list if demand exceeds 30.

Fee covers transportation to all sites, lunches, dinner at the John Barton Payne house in Warrenton, refreshments at The Inn at Little Washington.

Vans will leave the Hampton Inn in Warrenton Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Rooms available at Hampton Inn, Airlie, and many options in Warrenton. •

Hanover Farms Fine Ground Covers Liriope, Vinca, Pachysandra, Ferns and Natives Our 35th Year!

13262 Spring Road, Rockville, VA 23146 (804) 749-4304 • FAX (804) 749-4350 www.hanoverfarms.com

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

11

Cover Story

Save the Date

VNLA Field Day 2019 August 1 and 2

Thank you to our host!

12 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

V

irginia Nursery and Landscape Association’s Field Day tradition started in 1995. The first field day was hosted by Saunders Brothers in Piney River, Virginia. That first field day must have been a resounding success since it started a tradition going strong 24 years later.

The event is exclusive to Virginia Nursery and Landscape professionals and aims to offer a fun way to network with industry colleagues while keeping abreast of current trends and research.

The setting is often literally in a field under the shade of a large tent and open to whatever breezes may happen to come.

Mark your calendar and reserve travel accommodations.

The Eastern Shore area is beautiful and a popular summer-time destination.

Panel Discussion: Demand, Propagation and Production of Native Plants

Panelists include: Shereen Hughes Assistant Director, Wetlands Watch; Virginia Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Program Leslie Cario Owner, Chesapeake Horticultural Services Dot Field Botanist and DCR Natural Heritage Park Restoration on Eastern Shore Eric Gunderson President Southern Branch Nursery

Networking Social Thursday evening August 1 Island House Restaurant & Marina

Nursery and Garden Tour Friday August 2 – Thank you to our hosts!

David’s Nursery Tankard Nurseries Eyre Hall

We look forward to seeing you there!

A block of rooms for Field Day is available: Holiday Inn Express & Suites 3446 Lankford Highway Exmore, VA 23350 (757) 442-5522 Room block code: ESV Look for more information coming soon about this year’s registration process for attendees, exhibitors and sponsors. In the meantime, here is an overview of what is planned:

Field Day Thursday, August 1 Dr. Pete Schultz and Dr. Chris Ranger will share their latest research results for Ambrosia Beetle and Crepe Myrtle Bark scale. They will also share viable alternatives for non-chemical pest management.

Dr. Laurie Fox will speak about native plants and their impact on our industry.

Detailed information about prominent species will be discussed.

Dr. Sara Via will present Climate Impacts on Landscape Plants and Pests: Remaining Successful in a Changing Environment.

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association | 13

Cover Story • continued House of Spiraea

Shipping

Eastern Shore Nursery E

astern Shore Nursery of Virginia began operations in 1965 as a small field-grown azalea nursery.

Robin Rinaca and her late husband, Nick Covatta, purchased Eastern Shore Nursery in 1980 and started their nursery career.

The pair combined their knowledge and expertise, Robin brought her love of gardening and art history education, Nick brought his business operations knowledge from his career as an executive. Together, they grew their business by establishing strong values and staying true to them.

Customer trust and loyalty is earned with their strong sense of professionalism, producing top notch plant material and being responsive to the ever changing whims of the public marketplace.

This small field-grown nursery grew steadily into today’s successful 290 acre fruit and landscape tree and shrub container operation. The clientele is primarily garden centers.

The selections offered must make many beautifully stocked garden centers!

A glance at their spring availability list shows approximately 80 ornamental, flowering and shade trees. Many choice cultivars are included in the mix. The flowering shrub and evergreen list is equally impressive featuring shrubs 14 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

with ornamental interest throughout the seasons. The selection covers old standbys along with the newest Proven Winner selections.

Fruiting trees and shrubs became a big component in the Eastern Shore Nursery product lineup. The first fruit trees found their way into production in 1994. This product line is one few other growers have delved into with the degree that Eastern Shore has. They are perhaps the only large-scale container grown fruit tree operation on the East Coast.

Their offerings are grown under their own brand ‘Hollybrook Orchards’. Educating the consumer how to select and grow their own fruit trees helped them succeed with this venture. The Hollybrook website has detailed guides for prospective fruit tree growers covering all the important aspects. The trees are shipped with beautiful hand illustrated tags containing pollinator, size and other varietal information to help consumers make the correct choices.

Long before many of the Chesapeake Bay protection strategies were required by municipalities and the formation of the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals organization, Eastern Shore Nursery prioritized reducing their impact on the environment. Being mindful of the ecological impact the nursery has on land and waterways has been an important

continued Pruning Roses

• Cover Story

Roses

Off-loading

consideration with their production and growing practices.

The efforts they made in this regard were recognized in 1989 when they were awarded the Outstanding Conservation Farmer by the Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation and in 2009 when they were given the Groundwater Award by the Virginia Eastern Shore Groundwater Commission.

Roses became a major addition to the product line in 2011.

Conard Pyle Co. stopped producing finished roses in 2011 and Eastern Shore stepped up to fill this marketplace void.

They grow over 200 varieties of roses, covering all the major popular rose groupings. An amazing selection of Knockout, David Austin, Drift, Landscape, Sunblaze, Rugosa, Hybrid, Grandiflora, Floribunda, Climbers and Tree roses are produced.

Robin feels their business success and longevity is due to several things. First, they never forget that businesses can only survive if they are profitable. Secondly, they have always looked for opportunities to broaden their product line. They have been able to grow their business by picking up new selections when other growers decided to change directions.

Robin’s most challenging events happened in 2012. Their production manager died, then six months later her husband

and partner in business and life passed away. Her employees stepped up to help and they are all stronger for having to deal with these very hard hurdles.

Always willing to share her expertise and knowledge, Robin has been very generous with her time. A few of the organizations benefitting from her expertise include Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association from 1988 to 1992 (she served as president in 1991), ANLA Board of Governors, American Nursery Credit Association Board, Eastern Shore of Virginia Nursery Association, Board member and President and the MANTS Board.

When she isn’t working, she loves to work in her own garden, travel, cook and work on old house restorations.

Her favorite flower is the daffodil and she has thousands that have naturalized around her home. Their cheerful presence makes her smile at the end of those long spring work days.

Most years find her vacationing in Italy in June and October — she says the rest of the year she dreams of the next trip! •

Join us at Eastern Shore Nursery as they host our 2019 Field Day on August 1st and 2nd!

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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Feature Story

Pollinators of the

Forest

By Celia Vuocolo, Piedmont Environmental Council

T

here are over 4,000 bee species that call North America home. From the tiny Perdita minima (at less than 2 millimeters) to the colorful blue and green Augochloropsis anonyma, our continent supports a wide diversity of native bees. About 400 bee species have been found in Virginia. Our native bees have evolved with local ecosystems over time, developing intricate relationships with the flora that fill our landscape. Native bees are found everywhere (in fields, gardens, overgrown hedgerows, woodlands, and along roadsides). They facilitate the reproduction of indigenous plants, which in turn supports wildlife and ecological functions that humans rely on. Research shows that native bees effectively pollinate many commercial crops like tomatoes, blueberries, and squash, sometimes even more effectively than non-native honey bees. Understanding how these valuable pollinators use our landscape can help guide conservation efforts and farming practices. But there is still much that is unknown about how native bees use Virginia’s most common land use — forests!

When thinking about pollinator habitat, a sunny flowerfilled garden is usually the first thing that comes to mind.

Pollinators need nectar and pollen sources, nesting opportunities (dead trees, undisturbed ground), and sunlight. It’s rare that a sunny flower garden fulfills all of these needs for every bee. In reality, a mosaic of diverse habitat types are needed to provide these features. Woodlands are part of the landscape and play an important role in supporting native bee populations. However, we haven’t even scratched the surface on understanding how bees use forests. It’s a subject that is in sore need of study.

So bees are found in forests, but why are they there at all?

Answering this question will improve our understanding of how bees use the habitat. There are likely a number of different reasons, such as pollen specialism, incidental occurrences, 16 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

species with generalist habitat preferences, and forest disturbance. Pollen specialism and forest disturbance are arguably the main reasons why certain native bees use this habitat type.

Specialist bees have evolved to collect pollen from either one host-plant family, genus, or sometimes only one species!

These intimate relationships benefit both the bee and plant by allowing for pollination and foraging efficiency, but leave both susceptible to habitat degradation or alterations in flowering time. Forest disturbance, such as fire or timber management, opens up the tree canopy, allowing light in and encouraging the growth of herbaceous plant species that attract pollinators. Native bees that evolved with our eastern forests most likely learned to take advantage of forest disturbance events well before agriculture created open habitats across our landscape.

There are a few things that we do know about bees in forests that landowners can consider as part of their management plans. The highest bee diversity in Mid-Atlantic forests occurs in the spring; bee numbers decrease with canopy closure but increase with recent fire activity; and bee diversity rises as nesting opportunities (woody debris) increase. What this translates to is that bees are attracted to well-managed woodlands. Prescribed fire, timber management, encouraging natural vegetation, and leaving woody debris and snags are all part and parcel of a solid forest stewardship plan, and these management activities help bees.

Springtime in the forest is likely the busiest time for bees because of the abundance of spring ephemerals and flowering shrubs and trees. Virginia bluebell, Dutchman’s breeches, Viburnum, serviceberry, spring beauty, and a host of other spring flowering plants provide nectar and pollen to newly emerged bumblebee queens and pollen specialists. A poster child example of a native bee/host plant relationship is spring beauty and Andrena erigeniae, a pollen specialist in the

Larval forms of pollinators, such as the spicebush swallowtail caterpillar, use spicebush, a woody forest species, to complete their lifecycles.

Photo by Betty Truax, Virginia Native Plant Society.

Andrena erigeniae, a mining bee, collects pollen from the flower of a spring beauty. Photo by: Betty Truax, Virginia Native Plant Society.

Keeping your forest healthy and practicing active management can improve habitat for native pollinators. Photos by Betty Truax, Virginia Native Plant Society.

Feature Story • continued mining bee family. A. erigeniae only collects pollen from spring beauty and one of its sister species, which means that if the plant does not exist in a particular area, then this bee cannot survive there. Many spring woodland plants are visited by pollen specialists with life cycles perfectly synced to coincide with their blooms. Phenological mismatch, brought on by climate change,

can seriously threaten the stability of many of these sensitive bee species.

During other times of the year, research has shown that native bees are found in woodlands with open canopies and a healthy understory of wildflowers and grasses. Sunlight is important to bees and butterflies; it creates a warm micro-environment and encourages floral resources. Managing

Where agriculture and nature meet

434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com

VIRGINIANS

TRUST

TITAN proven genetics for over 30 years

titanfescue.com 18 • VNLA News • Summer 2019

for habitat like this, whether you have a pine or hardwood forest, is probably already occurring if you have an active forest stewardship plan. Most landowners are already controlling the invasive species and managing deer populations that are impacting forest health and, subsequently, bee populations. If more guidance is desired, the U.S. Forest Service published a report in 2015, Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Federal Lands, that can be used as a guideline for private forest managers looking to improve habitat for bees. One important takeaway from the report is that as forest canopies have become closed over time (since colonization), bees have been negatively impacted, and the shift could be contributing to the widespread decline of their populations. It’s just one more piece of the very complex puzzle of pollinator decline.

From a landowner’s perspective, managing for native bees is very compatible with other stewardship goals.

Many other wildlife species benefit from the same management practices that help them, such as prescribed fire.

Prescribed fire encourages growth of wildflowers and improves canopy structure, and if used correctly, can have a positive effect on bees. Using frequent, low intensity fire in small patches of forest has been shown to cause the least amount of mortality to bee populations while also improving floral resources. Since the vast majority of native bees nest in or near the ground, fire can have a negative impact on their survival rates. However, if prescribed fire is used thoughtfully, bees can actually flourish from its effects.

Native bees are still a mystery, in many regards, but we do know that they seem to respond to thoughtful forest management practices and healthy woodland habitat. Making room for native bees in your stewardship plan is quite easy, and your forestland will be better for it! • Celia Vuocolo is a Wildlife Habitat & Stewardship Specialist; 540-347-2334 x 7086; cvuocolo@pecva.org.

Index of Advertisers

continued

• Cover Story Find out more at rainbird.com/sports

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Wellmaster Carts..............Back Cover www.wellmaster.ca

The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, VNLA News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2019 by the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. VNLA News is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association.

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Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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Industry News

Update from CBLP

C

hesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification Program is a voluntary, stackable credentialing system of materials and consistent instruction across the region (Virginia, DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, New York) creating a community of certified professionals to be better stormwater partners and environmental stewards. By completing the certification process and attending our professional development workshops, those holding other professional credentials (such as certified horticulturalists, arborists, Urban Nutrient Managers, Stormwater and Erosion and Sediment Control Inspectors) can earn continuing education credits for their existing credentials. And the same is true for CBLPs who attend VNLA-sponsored events covering our sustainable landscaping or stormwater related learning objectives!

Level 1 is a baseline credential in design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with emphasis on how to properly maintain stormwater best management

CBLP and VA DGIF Habitat Partners Work Shop — Bioretention Plant Design using Local Native Reference Landscapes — Instructors Devin Floyd and David Hirschman

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practices (BMPs). Level 2 is an advanced credential for experienced Professionals in design or installation of conservation landscapes with an emphasis on the small-scale BMP retrofits also known as residential stewardship practices (e.g. rain gardens, permeable pavers, conservation landscapes, etc.). These are typically designed/installed through costshare, stormwater fee reduction or grant programs run by local governments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and watershed groups.

Since 2016, CBLP has trained nearly 450 professionals, and certified 360 for Level 1, and 60 for Level 2. This year we began recertifying our original cohort of CBLPs. Virginia-specific trainings will be available in Arlington County (June 24–25) and Richmond (July 9–10) and we expect to have additional trainings in Hampton Roads and other locations based on demand – those interested in getting certified can register at any location offered at cblpro. org/get-certified/. Our Level 2 credential in design and/or

CBLP Level 1 training — BMP Verification exercise

construction of residential-scale stormwater best management practices will be held in Virginia Beach for the first time in August 2019. We plan to return Level 2 to the DC area in November.

In 2018, we added visual inspection and verification of BMPs, training CBLPs help localities and organizations verify that practices installed (like rain gardens and permeable pavement) are functioning as designed and still qualify for nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus reductions to meet local municipal water quality permits and the Chesapeake Bay clean up goals. Plant health and coverage is a key factor that must be assessed and we need horticulturalists who can identify native plants and specify and provide new native plant material to fill bare areas or replace unhealthy plant materials.

Native plant design, ID, and sourcing are hot topics with CBLPs and the subject of many continuing education workshops. Sourcing smaller native plant and pollinator-safe stock (like plugs, small trees and shrubs) green infrastructure for large landscape restoration and pollinator projects like those discussed by Larry Weaner at the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Short Course in January 2019 and the 2018 VNLA Field Day. Large landscape restoration projects like riparian buffer plantings, stream restoration, reforestation, native plant meadows, and floodplain restoration get a lot of credit

CBLP-Associates in Training with Howard EcoWorks

towards meeting water quality goals while also providing wildlife habitat and subduing flooding — so there is a lot of interest in funding implementing and managing these restoration projects in every state among local governments, state agencies, watershed groups and soil and water conservation districts. We can expect more landscape restoration projects in the coming years and the need for locally sourced native plant materials and expertise in Virginia is continuously growing.

Coming soon to Virginia: CBLP-A (Associate) and CBLP Level 1 community college partnerships, geared toward youth and entry level workers to generate interest and provide high quality training in green infrastructure and sustainable landscaping. •

Why not join our network?

Register today at cblpro.org/get-certified.

CBLP Sourcing Native Plants Workshop

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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Industry News • continued

VOSH Free On-Site Consultation Services Assistance to Virginia’s employers to enhance safety and health protection for their employees.

Offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services.

Promoting Safe Tree Trimming and Landscaping Operations.

On-Site Consultation Services for Employers

No Penalty/No Cost to You

To help employers better understand and voluntarily comply with the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) standards, the Department of Labor and Industry provides On-Site Consultation services. This program helps employers identify and correct potential safety and health hazards.

Priority is given to high hazard workplaces with 250 or fewer employees.

The on-site survey is conducted without citations or penalties. The Consultation Services Program is state/federally funded. These services are offered at no cost to you.

The On-Site Consultation Services provide:

• Lower workers’ compensation and other accident costs;

• Safety and Health Walk-Through Surveys: At your request, a safety and /or health specialist will visit your business/ worksite to explain the survey process. If you agree to participate, hazards and violations will be identified during a walk-through at your place of business/worksite. This walk-through is similar to a VOSH compliance inspection, except no citations or penalties will be issued;

• Increased productivity and improved morale;

• Abatement Advice: Any hazards or violations identified by the consultant will be discussed during the walk-through.

A written report of the findings will be presented, including advice for eliminating existing and potential safety or health hazards; • Training: In addition, training will be conducted onsite and recommendations for ongoing training will be provided; • Program Assistance: Assistance will be provided to develop safety and health programs that will prevent injuries and illnesses by eliminating and controlling hazards.

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Taking advantage of On-Site Consultation could mean: • Fewer injuries and illnesses;

• Lower risk exposure.

Contact Marinho Goncalves Safety and Health Consultant Virginia Department of Labor and Industry 1570 E Parham Road Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: (804) 371 3104 | Ext: 106 E-mail: marinho.goncalves@doli.virginia.gov https://www.doli.virginia.gov/vosh-programs/consultation/

Department of Labor and Industry Office Locations

Manassas Regional Office Verona Field Office Central Region Office

Southwest Regional Office

Abingdon Field Office

Lynchburg Field Office

Headquarters Office

Tidewater Regional Office

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

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