VNLA News - Summer 2021

Summer 2021

The Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association Magazine

Member Highlight on

CASEY TREES Plus,

THE VALUE of TREES

Our New Environmental Institute is Working for You! Connecting with environmental groups

Dialoguing with politicians

Spreading the news about our great industry

Pollinator Protection Program

Protecting Sensitive Oceanfront Areas

In 2021, we will distribute 25,000 pollinator-friendly wildflower seed packets – that’s 5 million wildflower seeds that could create a quarter million square feet of new food and foraging space!

In 2021, we are partnering with the City of Virginia Beach to plant 6,000 beach grass plants on critical beach areas. The City wants us to make this an annual event!

AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 (757) 464-1004 virginiaturf@gmail.com virginiaturf.org

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association 5101 Monument Avenue, Suite 203 Richmond, VA 23230 Tel: (804) 256 2700 Email: info@vnla.org Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 • Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: (615) 790-3718 • Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com 2020 Officers and Directors Year indicates start of volunteer service to VNLA Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President Seana Ankers 2017 Meadows Farms Nurseries & Landscaping

8

Vice President Jeff Howe 2016 Windridge Landscaping

20

Secretary Treasurer Chris Dowdy 2020 Bennett’s Creek Nursery Past President / Board Recruitment / Christopher Brown, Jr. 2013 Lancaster Farms Executive Director Shellie Archer DIRECTORS Matt Deivert 2017 MANTS Board Representative South Riding Nurseries Neal Beasley 2019 Certification / VCH* Chair Timmons Group

CONTENTS

| Summer 2021

12 Guest Column

LA’s, Plant Introductions, Spring Reflections and a Kazoo (?)

Jeff Riggleman 2020 Kohler Equipment

DEPARTMENTS 6 Leadership Update 6 Index of Advertisers 7 Resource Corner

14 Cover Story

Member Highlight on Casey Trees

8 News from VNLA 10 Legislative Update

Robin McCall 2020 Williams Brothers Tree & Lawn Service Jason Stern 2021 Bailey Nurseries Warner Winthrop 2020 Website Development Chair Colesville Nursery EX-OFFICIO, VIRTUE OF OFFICE: Non-voting Laurie Fox, Ph. D. VA Tech Hampton Roads AREC

20 Feature Article

David Seward Reynolds Community College Montpelier, VA

4 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

* VCH = Virginia Certified Horticulturist

The Value of Trees

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

LEADERSHIP UPDATE

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Hello, VNLA Members:

Bennett’s Creek Nursery...................5

The timing of this issue of VNLA News comes at a very busy time and also a very special time. It falls right between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. With that being said, we hope this terrific spring season has treated you all well and we hope all of the Moms and Dads had the opportunity to spend quality time with family in-person rather than from a distance!

Speaking of distance, we believe everyone is relieved to experience fewer COVID-related restrictions and broader vaccine coverage. While these are steps toward a return to ‘normal’, the timing did not align sufficiently with required timing for decisions about a 2021 VNLA Field Day. Due to the long runway needed for planning and coordinating Field Day and the unknowns related to COVID, the VNLA decided to postpone hosting Field Day until next year. This decision was not taken lightly and came with thoughtful and thorough discussion among the Board of Directors.

Pivoting to another scope of work that has received a great deal of thought, time and solution-focus, we are close to launching a new VNLA website. As you can imagine, it is a significant project that includes not only a new website, but a membership database with updated membership tools and functionality.

While the following does not cover all of the exciting changes, please note these two valuable items: • Annual VNLA membership dues will transition to anniversary-based rather than calendar year-based.

• For anyone who holds a Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) credential, they will have the ability to submit online, into their profile, their Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

The VNLA is fortunate to work with Leading Edge Communications – their technology expertise and thought partner approach has helped us create user-friendly and more efficient processes. While there is still a little more work to be done, please be on the lookout for an upcoming communication with a link to the VNLA’s new website and further details about changes and enhancements.

With any new system or process implementation, we all have to anticipate a glitch or two or perhaps data that did not transition correctly. If this should happen, please know it can be resolved and we are incredibly appreciative of everyone’s understanding and patience.

We are proud to continue serving you,

2021 VNLA Leadership

www.bcnursery.com

Bremo Trees...................................18 www.bremotrees.com

Better Bilt Products...................22, 23 bbponline.com

Cam Too Camellia Nursery, Inc.....17 www.camtoocamellia.com

Fairview Evergreen Nurseries............5 www.fairviewevergreen.com

Leading Edge Communications... 17, 19 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com

masLABOR............Inside Front Cover www.maslabor.com

Pender Nursery, Inc........................11 www.pendernursery.com

Phillips & Turman Tree Farms.......17 landscapingtrees.org

Smith Seed Services...........................6 www.smithseed.com

The Turfgrass Group......................13 www.theturfgrassgroup.com

Twinleaf Native Plants....................11 twinleafnativenursery.com

Virginia Turfgrass Council................3 www.vaturf.org

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 © 2021 by the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association.

VNLA News is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: VNLA News allows re- printing of material. Permission requests should be directed to the Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information.

6 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

RESOURCE CORNER M

any companies and organizations provide information and support to nursery and landscape professionals, from national trade organizations to local educators. VNLA members have access to a vast array of experts who can advise and provide tools to help bolster the Virginia Nursery and Landscape industry and its workforce.

VNLA encourages all members to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge, information and expertise available from the organizations listed below.

AmericanHort www.americanhort.org Virginia Agribusiness Council (VAC) www.va-agribusiness.org

National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) www.landscapeprofessionals.org Landscape Contractors Association VA MD DC www.lcamddcva.org

Mission H 2O Virginia www.missionh2ovirginia.com Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) www.cblpro.org Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) www.mants.com VA Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers www.arec.vaes.vt.edu

Central Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (CVNLA) www.cvnla.org Northern Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (NVNLA) www.nvnla.org

International Plant Propagators’ Society www.ipps.org Piedmont Landscape Association (PLA) www.piedmontlandscape.org Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course www.mahsc.org Southern Nursery Association (SNA) www.sna.org The Virginia Horticultural Foundation www.vahort.org Virginia Native Plant Society (VA NPS) www.vnps.org Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) www.deq.virginia.gov Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) www.vdacs.virginia.gov

Virginia Society of Landscape Designers (VSLD) www.vsld.org International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) www.isa-arbor.com Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

7

NEWS FROM VNLA

Summer 2021 LEVEL 1 TRAINING

R

egistration is now open for Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Level 1 training and certification: https://cblpro.org/training-calendar/ This highly interactive three-day course combines online learning with a field day.

Participants will choose one online session, which will run from 9 AM – 12:15 PM each day: SESSION 1 – July 7 & 14 SESSION 2 – July 21 & 28 S ESSION 3 – August 10 & 17 Online sessions will be followed by full-day, in person field practicums. Participants choose one field day (9:30 AM – 3:00 PM) in one of the following locations: • August 18, Charlottesville, VA • August 25, Washington, DC • September 2, Norfolk, VA (rain date – September 9) • September 14, Chevy Chase, MD • September 22, Lower Allen Township, PA (Camp Hill) • September 30, Ridgely, MD (eastern shore)

Register by April 30 and use the coupon EARLYBIRD at checkout for $50 off the registration fee. Discounts are available for companies or organizations sending 3 or more employees to Level 1. For those working in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, RISE grant funding may provide an additional discount. Email katie@cblpro.org and ask about discounts or scholarships.

CBLP will follow CDC safety and hygiene protocols for outdoor field days and will abide by all local and state guidelines for gatherings, which means we cannot rule out virus-related cancellations. We have instituted a flexible change policy in case you or we need to postpone. Masks or other face coverings are required.

8 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

About CBLP: CBLP is a voluntary, regional credential for professionals who design, install, and maintain sustainable landscapes in the Bay watershed. Visit http://cblpro.org/get-certified/ for information, and to apply. CBLP offers two levels of training: Level 1 is a baseline certification in design, installation, and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, emphasizing proper management of stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Level 2 is an advanced credential in design or installation, focusing on stormwater BMPs. CBLP’s active learning program engages participants to develop critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborative practice skills. We focus on the unique ecology and regulatory environment of the Bay region, but all are welcome to attend. CBLP course attendees may earn continuing education credits from numerous professional organizations including ASLA, APLD, MNLGA, PLNA, VNLA, VSLD, VA DEQ SWM/ESC Inspectors and VA UNM. A searchable, online directory of certified professionals is available at http://cblpro.org/directory/ Level 1 candidates must have a degree, certificate, or certification in a related field, or have professional experience. To qualify for Level 2, professionals must complete Level 1 and demonstrate experience designing or installing stormwater BMPs. CBLP has certified 702 Level 1, and 100 Level 2 professionals.

CONTACT:

Katie Pinkham katie@cblpro.org 301-758-6574

Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional

LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION Training Class

A blended online & field class- interactive learning environment taught by expert instructors from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Creating resiliency in the Bay watershed Stormwater BMP design, instillation, management, and inspection

Consisting of two live online classes taught in consecutive weeks, followed by a field

Active learning environment

practicum. Select the field

Sustainable landscape practices

day that suits you best!

Native plants, natural communities, soils, and habitat

SUMMER 2021

Networking and collaborative practice opportunities

$445 package includes two day online training, one day field practicum, materials & resources, and exam fee

ONLINE SESSIONS Session 1: July 7 & 14 Session 2: July 21 & 28 Session 3: August 10 & 17

FIELD PRACTICUMS

9 :00 AM – 1 2:15 PM August 18, Charlottesville, VA August 25, Washington, DC September 2, Norfolk VA (rain date- Sept 9) September 14, Chevy Chase, MD September 22, Lower Allen Township, PA (Camp Hill) September 30, Ridgely, MD CEUs available from many organizations. Check our website for the full list.

CBLPRO.ORG Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

9

DOT Enforcement Push in Early May

AmericanHort SUPPORTS TRUCKING BILL

The

A

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

By Tal Coley

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, an organization comprised of local, state, and federal motor vehicle safety officials, conducted their annual readiness check https://t.e2ma.net/click/ p0jxcd/9nz8k1/93zj6q on 4–6 May. Officials performed roadside inspections with the main focus on two things – lighting and hours-of-service violations.

Things could get a little tricky in the interstate realm. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) decision to include horticulture in the agricultural commodity definition (which allows drivers to use the ag exemption for determining hours-of-service) was only finalized in December. Word travels slowly, and many enforcement officials may not be aware of the change. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a copy of the regulations https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/9nz8k1/pw0j6q in trucks in case there is a problem. •

By Tal Coley

mericanHort lent our support to a bill known as the DRIVE Safe Act https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/ 9nz8k1/5o1j6q (H.R. 1745, S.659), as one mediumterm solution to the truck driver shortage problem.

The bipartisan bill would enable 18-20 year-old apprentices — who have obtained their Commercial Driver’s Licenses — to drive trucks in interstate commerce. It would amend the current minimum age requirement for interstate drivers, which was promulgated decades ago, to allow these qualified drivers to operate in interstate commerce once they have completed several apprenticeship program requirements centered around safety.

The trucking industry has faced significant headwinds in recent years – from retirements, increased regulatory burdens, and the lifestyle involved not appealing to a new generation. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the trucking industry is currently facing a shortage of more than 60,000 qualified drivers, coupled with a projected need to hire 1.1 million new drivers over the next decade to keep up with increasing freight demand and workforce retirements.

AmericanHort and 117 other organizations sent a support letter https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/9nz8k1/lh2j6q to leadership of both the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last week. •

H-2B Visas: Near-Term, Longer-Term

By Laurie Flanagan & Craig Regelbrugge

On

April 8, the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services held a listening session to inform the agency about the need for supplemental H-2B visas this fiscal year and the potential impact of more visas on U.S. workers. The Department said it is looking into the issue very seriously and wanted to hear from the public. All but three commenters spoke about the importance of the H-2B program to their businesses and their U.S. workforce. Commenters included representatives from landscape, hospitality, outdoor amusement, forestry, golf, and other industries. Following the call, the H-2B Workforce Coalition submitted official comments https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/9nz8k1/192j6q.

On April 20, DHS announced it plans to release 22,000 supplemental visas, with 6,000 of those prioritized for the Northern Triangle countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras).

Any that go unused may be released for general use at some later date.

10 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

At least some new visas would be helpful if made available right away. But more would be justified. Again, the H-2B Workforce Coalition released a statement https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/ 9nz8k1/h23j6q calling for even more visas to address the demonstrated need for seasonal workers, and urging expedited Federal Register notice and prompt release of additional visas. We are also concerned that the Labor Department might try to force employers with an approved labor certification to do something to “retest the labor market,” which would mean further delays and complications. More as it develops.

Finally, we also continue to urge Congress to pass legislation to permanently address the H-2B cap by reinstating a permanent H-2B returning worker cap exemption. We expect bipartisan H-2B relief legislation to be introduced in the next few weeks. You can act now https://t.e2ma.net/click/p0jxcd/9nz8k1/xu4j6q to let your Representative know you support reinstating the H-2B returning worker exemption. •

Ever Heard of

‘MOSS BALLS?’

By Craig Regelbrugge

No,

not “moth balls” and not even moss at all; aquarium moss balls are a green filamentous algae (Aegagropila linnaei) that looks like moss. They are soft and spongy when filled with water in aquariums or water gardens and provide habitat for fish, shrimp, and other species. Moss balls are hardy and easy to maintain.

As a result, they have become and are an active commodity in the aquarium and water garden trade. Moss balls can be purchased in every state through national retail chains, small independent retailers, and online marketplaces, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

The species is found mainly in areas of Northern Europe and in several places in Japan. It has rarely been found in North America and Australia. The moss ball itself is not found to be invasive. But the good news ends there. They have been documented to harbor harmful and regulated aquatic nuisance species, such as zebra mussels.

At present, protocols do not exist to enable safe, clean, and compliant trade in moss balls. Until such protocols are developed, retailers are urged not to sell moss balls. Retailers and their customers are urged to safely destroy moss balls and to decontaminate the aquarium or water garden systems in which they were growing.

For questions or more guidance, visit the FWS website https://t.e2ma.net/click/ p0jxcd/9nz8k1/dn5j6q. •

Legislative updates courtesy of AmericanHort

Rediscover PENDER NURSERY

PHONE: 800-942-1648 FAX: 919-773-0904

ONLINE: www.PenderNursery.com 2620 Wall Store Road

•

Garner, NC 27529

Twinleaf

Native Nursery

Lovingston, VA

434-260-0386 www.twinleafnativenursery.com sarah@twinleafnativenursery.com

Wholesale grower of native perennial plugs.

Contract growing available.

GUEST COLUMN

LA’S, PLANT INTRODUCTIONS, SPRING REFLECTIONS and A KAZOO (?)

By Tscharner D. Watkins III

I am a fourth gen nurseryman who reps for wholesale growers and source plant material for clients. Demand was exceptional this past spring and at times frustrating.

New plant introductions targeting Landscape Architects and their availability has led me to write this article along with some trends I see.

New plant introductions come out every year. Some are unique and worthy, most are not. One that particularly frustrated me this spring was Spirea Blue Kazoo. The name even blew up in my face.

What is a Blue Kazoo? Do we really need more spirea introductions? A limited number of growers grew several hundred to try them out and at the same time literature was sent to LA’s about this ‘new’ introduction and why it belongs in the landscape.

So, it got specified on plans and quickly sold out and caused me frustration getting a similar sub approved. This was the norm this past spring and I want LA’s to take note of this. A bigger question is: will LA’s keep specifying this plant next year or not? Will growers grow more next year and sell them? This is why someone invented those ‘gazing globes’ of multiple colors. You can put one out your window or in the garden and stare at it like a crystal ball and try to figure out what to grow next year.

I have a ‘beef’ with out-of-state LA’s and some of the material they specify without researching availability of said plant material in our region. 1,974 Arctostapylos 4" in a BMP, Lindera #15, Oxydendron 4" caliper, Carya glabra 6", Chionanthus 10', Carpinus betulus fastigiate 4", Cornus Appalachian Spring 2"; I could go on. Blue Kazoos! The VNLA should send a Growers Guide to all LA’s from Chicago to New York every year.

12 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

New construction is booming, demand is up and I’m seeing some LA’s spec larger material; more 5, 7 and 10 gallon shrubs for that more mature look at the numerous four level apartment complexes with clubhouses and pools. This is where the next generation is living because they are reluctant to obligate themselves to a 30 year mortgage. I’ve stared at my gazing globe and would recommend larger sizes of Abelia, Hydrangeas and Viburnums. No Kazoos!

What happened to Zelkovas? I never really liked a Zelkova.

Doug Tallamy doesn’t either because it’s considered a sterile tree in the ecosystem (Crape myrtles are too). I liken it to the sterile line of Rutgers dogwoods which are supposed to be more prolific bloomers but have no fruit. Birds love dogwood berries. We should not fill our landscapes with sterile plants. Back to the Zelkova; demand exceeded supply 10 years ago and now supply exceeds demand. Many LA’s have stopped specifying them and have moved on to Nyssa, Quercus and Ulmus varieties. Red Maples are still popular. We need more Amelanchier, Dogwoods, Nyssa and Ginkgos. Why are Chionanthus virginiana not more popular?

Super native tree.

There are many good LA’s, plant introductions, growers and landscapers. We ALL need to work together and at times be flexible.

We all carry a ‘kazoo’ in our pocket and I’m just tooting mine! •

31°28’36.5” N x 83°31’33.3” W

Marks the Spot

UGA Tifton, GA

COVER STORY

VNLA Member Spotlight on

CASEY TREES E

stimated to support approximately 50 percent tree canopy in 1950, DC’s canopy in 2001 declined to just over 35 percent. A Washington Post article chronicling this decline inspired Betty Brown Casey, a longtime area resident, to establish Casey Trees with the mission “To restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital.”

Since our official establishment in 2002, we approach fulfilling our mission in numerous ways. For example, we plant trees, engage thousands of volunteers of all ages in tree planting and care, provide year-round continuing education courses, monitor the city’s tree canopy, develop interactive online tree tools and work with elected officials, developers, and community groups to protect and care for existing trees and to encourage the addition of new ones.

Casey Trees has diligently worked towards attaining the Washington DC’s goal of 40 percent canopy by 2032; planted over 30,000 trees; educated thousands of residents about the importance of urban tree canopy; supported the tree planting efforts of the DC Government, the National Parks Service, community groups and residents alike; inventoried and tracked the District’s tree resources to promote continued public funding for DC’s trees; advocated for green, tree-friendly development and similar pursuits. While the activities vary, all our programs work together to provide greater shade, cooler air, cleaner water, citizen engagement, and sustainable growth to the neighborhoods where we live and work.

We are undoubtedly the only urban forestry nonprofit retreeing the District, and we’re lucky to be headquartered in beautiful Brookland in Northeast DC. The people who execute our mission are in the District, but where do the trees come from?

We are extraordinarily proud to finally say that the majority of the new trees planted throughout the District are from the Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, Virginia!

Casey Tree Farm is a 730-acre tract located in Clarke County, Virginia. Locally known as Springsbury Farm, our organization was gifted the land and its structures in 2008 to enhance our mission through research, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. We have dedicated 100 acres of that land to sustainable tree production using techniques that prioritize long-term

14 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

soil health and productivity while safeguarding the overall environment. In March 2011, we started our nursery, allowing us to grow tree species that are not readily available commercially while applying innovative growing and irrigating techniques.

Our vision is to produce sustainably grown, high-quality trees to help communities meet their tree canopy goals.

The farm has allowed Casey Trees to plant more trees than in the past when plants were simply bought from other tree farms, but more than that, it gives the organization increased flexibility in choosing the type, quantity, quality, and timing of trees for its needs. We focus on the species needed most, urban-friendly trees like red maple, swamp white oak, black gum, sweetbay magnolia, and American beech. We also grow underused but lovely native trees such as the scarlet and overcup oaks, the Kentucky coffee tree, and the American hornbeam and hophornbeam. Our Farm team works hard to raise roughly 12,000 trees from sapling to sturdy transplant. More than 3,000 are ready for planting each year when they make the 65-mile journey east for a new life in city parks, schools, neighborhoods, and other places in all eight wards of DC. So that is where the trees come from, but how do we plant over 5,000 trees a year with a Tree Operations crew of just 15 people?

We involve the community! Since they’re the ones that will ultimately care for and enjoy the trees, getting neighbors, church groups, families, businesses, and everyone in between involved at the start is crucial. Our volunteers and community are the backbones of what we do. Our flagship Community Tree Planting program brings trees to where they are actively needed and wanted. We take great joy in working with community organizers to plant trees to make their neighborhoods more welcoming — and help them address concerns unique to their sites such as flooding, noise pollution, and lack of shade.

But restoring, enhancing, and protecting a city’s city tree canopy is much more than planting. We also work with community members and city partners to inventory every tree in the city through our Park Inventory Program. Our volunteer and trained citizen sciences are critical parts of collecting all kinds of data and information about our city’s trees. We use all this gathered information to manage our community forest and prioritize tree maintenance needs.

PHOTO 1: Pre-pandemic, a typical volunteer planting on Saturday mornings brings the community together for an exciting, busy day of tree planting.

PHOTO 2: Our crew plants throughout DC, including at iconic locations like the grounds of the Washington Monument.

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

15

COVER STORY • continued But we can’t reach our goals by planting, inventorying, or pruning trees alone. Many of our streets are lined with beautiful mature trees, trees that have taken 30 or more years to reach their full potential of absorbing stormwater, shading our homes and sidewalks, creating a habitat for birds, insects, and squirrels, and providing us with countless other benefits. Despite all these

benefits, we do live in a city, and that comes with its challenges.

One of the most significant challenges trees face is development.

Our certified tree advocates tackle the mission from the top down.

PHOTO 3: We’re thankful for a dedicated, hardworking Farm crew, but every once in a while, it’s fun to bring volunteers out and introduce them to tree care at our Farm.

PHOTO 4: Our Nursery Manager, Todd Woodfield (right) instructs a volunteer on proper tree staking methods.

16 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

PHILLIPS AND TURMAN TREE FARMS WHOLESALE GROWER OF EVERGREENS FOR OVER 40 YEARS! WHITE PINE 8' – 16' NORWAY 10' – 16' C ALL FO R P R I C I NG

DOUG PHILLIPS DAVID PHILLIPS

Cold Hardy Zone 6 | Cold Tolerant Zone 7 | New Hybrids Zone 8 & 9 Liners and 1, 3, 5, 7 | 15 and 20 Gallons Available | Wholesale Only

(540) 745-3700 (540)-320-1515 (cell) PhillipsRealEstate@gmail.com PhillipsAndTurmanTreeFarms.com

(800) 758-8121 | CamTooCamellia.com 805 OAKBURY COURT | GREENSBORO, NC 27455

TheTurfZone.com is the central hub for turfgrass research and information from multiple state turf associations.

251 Podcasts and Many More to Come!

113 ISSUES of Turfgrass Magazines

33,000+

Annual Digital Impressions

DOZENS

of Upcoming Events

Learn how your company can sponsor or advertise!

TheTurfZone.com /advertising-inquiry 888–707-7141 facebook.com/theturfzone

twitter.com/theturfzone

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

17

COVER STORY • continued

PHOTO 5: We’re proud to have 100 acres dedicated to sustainable tree production at our Farm in Berryville, VA. The majority of trees cultivated here are destined to be planted throughout Washington, DC.

Where agriculture and nature meet

434.842.8733 email@bremotrees.com www.bremotrees.com

18 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

They’re out there testifying, submitting public comments, and speaking on behalf of the trees.

All of that vigorous volunteer and staff activity occurs in a typical year, which this past year was anything but. We’ve had to adapt how we fulfill our mission to restore, enhance, and protect amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In the interest of safety, we canceled all our volunteer events and relied solely on staff and crew to fill the gaps normally occupied by our many generous volunteers.

Many hands make light work and while we don’t have nearly as many hands as we did with Team Leaders, Group Volunteers, and everyday volunteers, we certainly have more help! Regardless, we are looking forward to expanding our work with volunteers and our expanded crew in the coming seasons. We’ve learned a lot this year. We’ve all adjusted how we work, and it’s been truly inspiring how our crew continued to work toward our mission while keeping our community and each other safe. When we said many hands make light work, we weren’t kidding! Last year we planted over 4,440 trees. This past year? Thanks to shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, necessary safety protocols, and additional pandemic logistical limitations, we’ve planted 2,418 trees. We’re incredibly proud of that number — but it goes to show what an impact our volunteers make.

Planting wasn’t the only area that was affected by the pandemic. Some positives include launching ordering from the Casey Tree Farm (as mentioned above) and conducting our annual Tree Survival Study to analyze mortality rates in our planted trees to inform our processes moving forward.

Some of our programming simply moved.

Our summer camps that engage District youth and help excite the next generation of tree stewards went online, although we could publish our Junior Urban Forester Workbook. This gave countless metropolitan Washington kids the chance to explore trees near them. We didn’t just launch programs for kids though – we also moved our classes and workshops online with our virtual learning platform Casey Trees Remote.

While times are challenging, the energy and ideas of Casey Trees and our city remain as creative and strong as ever. 2020 was anything but expected and the remainder of 2021 is still uncertain. One thing that is certain? The work we do is still vital to trees, and there is so much more to be done! •

The turfgrass industry has proven its resilience over and over, and when 2020 brought so many unexpected changes and challenges, you showed up to support each other and the organizations that bring turfgrass managers together. At Leading Edge Communications, we are proud to partner with the associations and companies that keep the industry and professionals growing.

To Our 2020 Adver tisers

THANK YOU for Your CO N T I N U E D PA RT N E R S H I P with L E A D I N G E D G E CO M M U N I CAT I O N S A N D S U P P O RT O F:

V I R G I N I A N U R S E RY & LA N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N W E LO O K F O RWA R D TO A S U CC E S S F U L 2021!

615-790-3718 or 888-707-7141 sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com www.TheTurfZone.com

FEATURE STORY

T

rees are valuable. Ask anyone and they will agree this is clear and undisputable. Valuable to who? How much value and what type of value? The answers to those questions should be clear, but often are not. So, let’s take a look.

Valuable to who? Everyone! Everywhere! Whether you realize it or not. We would have a very hard time living on planet Earth without trees.

How much value and what type? Well, that depends on what’s important to you and what you are measuring to determine value.

What are the benefits and services trees provide, and which ones are most valuable to you?

Provisioning Services

The

VALUE TREES of

By Dr. Laurie Fox Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research & Extension Center

• food – trees provide food for people, wildlife, and insects in the form of fruit, nuts, and leaves • fresh water – tree canopies transpire clean water into the atmosphere where it falls to replenish drinking water supplies • wood – trees provide wood for building, heating, mulching and much more • genetics – tree genetics are critical for survival, pest resistance, growing in diverse climates, reproduction and long-term ecological planning and restoration • medicines – an example is salicylic acid from the willow tree which is in aspirin and acne treatments

Regulating Services • climate regulation – trees are important in moderating temperature in landscapes, regulating city heat islands, carbon sequestration, creating oxygen, and reducing climate change • natural hazard regulation – trees moderate the impact of storm winds and flooding • water purification – a mature tree can absorb 500 – 4000 gallons of water a year preventing it from becoming runoff, and canopies and roots clean pollutants out of rainfall and stormwater runoff • waste management – through the process of phytoremediation trees filter, break down or deactivate many pollutants in the air, soil, and water • pollination – trees provide pollen and nectar for many pollinators like the tulip poplar tree blooms for hummingbirds and black tupelo and sourwood for honey bees • pest control – trees provide food and habitat for many beneficial insects and wildlife that control undesirable pests in the landscape

Habitat Benefits • migratory species – trees provide essential places to rest and refuel for migrating birds and insects like monarch butterflies • green corridors – trees connect landscapes to neighborhood and city parks to larger natural areas creating corridors for wildlife to live and move around (like our beautiful songbirds) • gene-pools – because certain trees have evolved with specific wildlife and insects, those creatures can’t live anywhere else or with different trees

20 • VNLA News • Summer 2021

Visit the National Tree Benefits Calculator – http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/

Cultural Benefits

L. Fox

• spiritual enrichment – trees have positive physiological and psychological effects on us, think “cathedral effect” or Japanese art of “forest bathing” • h orticultural therapy – research studies have documented that patients recover faster when they can see or access trees and landscapes • intellectual development – trees can help people focus better, lessen symptoms of ADHD, increase working memory and cognitive development, and improve productivity • recreation – from kids climbing trees to hiking in forests and viewing fall color to seeing the great redwoods, trees provide many recreational experiences • history – trees have been there; the liberty tree in Boston, the emancipation oak in Hampton, Isaac Newton’s apple tree, the September 11 Survivor Tree in New York, the cherry trees in Washington, the long-leaf pine tree forests that built Hampton Roads, tree fossils, and trees planted in memory of lost loved ones • place – trees create a sense of place like palms in Florida or California, magnolias in the south, conifers in the north, aspens in Colorado, and mark the change of seasons • aesthetics – trees can make a landscape design like Central Park in New York, create beautiful parks and neighborhoods which reduces crime and violence, add beauty to retail areas which increases shoppers, and increase property values up to 15% •

Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association

•

21

1494 Bell Mill Road, P.O. Box 456, Tillsonburg, ON, Canada, N4G 4J1 P.O. Box 2663, Buffalo, NY, USA, 14240-2663 Phone: 519.688.0500 • Toll Free: 800.387.9355 Fax: 519.688.0563 • Online: wellmaster.ca/vnla

Introducing Wellmaster’s Hand Sanitizer Pump.

Visit wellmaster.ca/vnla for our demonstration video!

4 Wheel Steering Nursery Wagons (Standard and Custom Sizes Available) • For transporting a wide variety of products from the field to the nursery, greenhouse or garden center.

Visit wellmaster.ca/vnla to learn more!

44” x 46” Nursery Cart

43” x 48” Folding Cart

• For shipping a wide variety of products including pots, perennials, and hanging baskets.

• For shipping a wide variety of products including pots, perennials, and hanging baskets.