The Growing Concern December 2020

Growing Concern DECEMB ER 2 0 2 0

The

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I AT I O N

The Entry Deadline for the Landscape Ohio! Awards is here.

Submit your projects by December 11, 2020.

OLA Meeting: Key Performance Indicators with Kevin Kehoe January 21, 2021 / WEBINAR / PAGE 21

SWITCH TO THE GREEN INDUSTRY RISK EXPERTS NOW! Before your crew gets busy.

EASIER, SAFER AND BETTER WITH BOTSON! At Botson Insurance we see beyond insurance to provide you with practical solutions to the problems that face the Green Industry—and we may be able to save you money while doing it.

(440) 537-2292

greg@botsoninsurancegroup.com

✓

Lowest General Liability Rates in Ohio up to 50%-80%

✓

Faulty Workmanship Coverage for as little as $425 per year

✓

botsoninsurancegroup.com

We’v protect e been in Industry g the Green great ra and providing tes for 2 8 years!

Over 160 Green Industry professionals in our program.

GREG BOTSON MORE THAN A TRUSTED ADVISOR

EASIER

Provided expert advice and built strong client relationships over 28 years.

SAFER

Free distracted driving and safety seminars, resources, training and more.

BETTER

Replacement cost coverage on equipment and more flexible driver requirements.

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

DOMENIC LAURIA Vizmeg Landscape, Inc.

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL It’s been an interesting twelve months as president of the Ohio Landscape Association. And, although it hasn’t gone quite as we expected – thanks Covid-19 – we actually salvaged a lot of good out of this year, given the circumstances.

From an association perspective, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to focus on implementing our new Association Management Software. In addition to helping us serve our members more efficiently, it will allow you to promote your businesses more effectively. There are new opportunities for you to take advantage of, including the Enhanced Listings in our referral section, along with our new Job Board which allows members to post open positions free of charge!

We also found new ways to communicate with one another.

Zoom meetings have allowed us to be flexible with both our board and committee meetings, making it possible to hold followup meetings while remaining socially distant. Webinars have made it possible to provide members with timely information, especially when it comes to changes presented by the pandemic.

Possibly the greatest benefit we’ve seen is the ability to meet with our entire membership, state wide, all at once.

In the end, while we’ve faced numerous challenges this year, the bottom line is we’ve found creative ways to overcome them.

This is not only a testament to our board, but to Sandy and Rick, as well. They’ve spent countless hours – as they always do – making sure that our members are taken care of and that they continue to receive the same support we’ve all come to expect.

That said, it’s easy to reflect on the last twelve months and still wish we were able to do more. As I see it, one of the greatest benefits of being part of this organization is the ability to network with each other. In any industry, so much business is conducted via email, phone, and text that shaking hands and communicating in-person have become a lost art. We’re lucky to have an association that emphasizes this aspect of business.

This is why the OLA will continue to look for ways to reimagine events like Awards and Golf, or develop hybrid events with continued on page 6 smaller hands-on groups.

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 0 WWW. OH I OLA N D SCA P E R S. OR G OH I O’ S P R OF E SSI ON A L G REEN I N D U ST R Y A SSOCI AT I O N OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION 9240 Broadview Road Broadview Heights, Ohio 44147 Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521 Fax: 440.717.0004 Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org and www.myohiolandscape.com DESIGNER / EDITOR Rick Doll, Jr. REGULAR WRITERS Adam Capiccioni, Ohio CAT Michael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc. Dr. Jim Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College Shelley Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Sandy Munley, Ohio Landscape Association Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green Thumb Windows on the River. Home of the 2021 Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala.

FEATURES

3 5 8 14 18 22 26 30 31

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Thank You and Farewell

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS PERENNIAL FOCUS

The Holiday Bookshelf: 2020 Edition

FISCAL FITNESS

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Submission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates and ad specs, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll Jr. at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

DISCLAIMER The Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any product(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.

OFFICERS President Domenic Lauria

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

Safety Culture for the Winter of 2020-2021

President – Elect Dr. James Funai, PhD.

PLANT OF THE MONTH

Treasurer Brian Maurer, LIC

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Low Interest Rates and the Search for Yield

FOR SAFETY SAKE

Syringa pekinensis: Peking Lilac

FEATURE ARTICLE

How to Evaluate Used Equipment Online

DIRECTIONS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Immediate Past President Adam Capiccioni DIRECTORS Keith Clapper Ryan Drake Stephanie Gray, LIC Cameron Maneri Rob Morel

C AL ENDAR OF EVENTS

OLA’s NEW MEMBERS

U P CO M I N G O L A MEETINGS , EDUC ATION SE MI N A R S, A ND O TH ER GREEN INDUS TR Y EVE N T S

The Ohio Landscape Association is delighted to welcome the following new members to the association:

DECEMBER

REGULAR MEMBER

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Grudna Property Maint.

PO Box 34355 Parma, OH 44134 (216) 256-4175 David Pietrzycki

The Belden Brick Co. PO Box 20910 Canton, OH 44701 (330) 324-4348 Jim Piteo

AFFILIATE MEMBER

SiteOne Landscape Supply 7868 Whipple Ave. NW North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 305-6910 Bill Nettling

DECEMBER 1, 2 & 3, 2020 DORMANT PRUNING (NEO & Central Ohio) Dormant Pruning of Landscape Plants is a hands-on clinic and a timely training opportunity for you and your crews to learn the proper pruning techniques. Held at Willoway Nursery and Premier Plant Solutions. Note: Due to state social distancing guidelines, the large group classroom portion of this event will be held via webinar. The hands-on portion will be held in-person, in small group settings.

DECEMBER 11, 2020 LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS ENTRY DEADLINE The deadline to enter this year’s Landscape Ohio! Awards program is quickly approaching. Entries must be received in the OLA office no later than December 11, 2020 at 5pm EST. For a complete list of rules, regulations and tips on entering this year’s program, please visit www.ohiolandscapers.org/awards-program. If you have specific questions concerning the program, please call the OLA office at 440.717.0002.

Valerie Cummings Woodward High School 701 E. Central Ave. Toledo, OH 43608 (419) 671-6000

STUDENT MEMBER Tri-C Margaret Hannibal 1323 W. 102nd Street Cleveland, OH 44102 (440) 212-3252

Neoweather, LLC 9237 Calista Dr. North Ridgeville, OH 44039 (800) 839-9445 Brian Ivey

LANDSCAPE ENHANCEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM

DECEMBER 17, 2020 SALES TRAINING: SELLING VALUE, NOT PRICE Join us as Marvin Montgomery, better known as the “Sales Doctor,” conducts a 2-hour webinar focused on Key Selling Techniques that will enable your staff to become effective at selling the value of your services, instead of discounting the price on them. Note: Due to state social distancing guidelines, this event will be held via webinar in order to accommodate all of our members. See page 7 for more details.

JANUARY JANUARY 21, 2021 OLA MEETING (WEBINAR) Kevin Kehoe, Founder of The Aspire Software Company and President of Kehoe Co. will discuss Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and what both business owners and their managers should be looking for – outside of standard financials. Note: Due to state social distancing guidelines, this event will be held via webinar, in order to accommodate all of our members. See page 21 for more details.

WHAT’S COMING IN EARLY 2021 • Landscape Design Clinic • Advocacy Day

• Consumer Sales Practice Act • Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala

The 24th Annual Landscape Ohio! Awards Program is offically underway and NOW is the time to begin preparing your awardworthy projects for consideration. The deadline for entries is: Friday, December 11, 2020 Winning projects are featured in Landscape Ohio! Magazine, a supplement to Ohio Magazine and Cleveland Magazine.

For full details and tips on how to enter, go to: www.ohiolandscapers.org/awards-program

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 5

PR ES I DEN T’S COLUM N

YOUR LOCALLY-OWNED ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR SNOW & ICE REMOVAL PROFESSIONALS WE SPECIALIZE IN SNOWDOGG® SNOW PLOWS AND SALTDOGG® SALT SPREADERS

SaltDogg® SHPE2000

SnowDogg® VXFII

7300 Fairoaks Rd, Oakwood, OH 44146 | 440-201-7000 | Open Monday through Friday 7AM to 5PM

continued from page 3 OLA_BF_7_5x4_75_11-2020.indd 1

10/30/2020 8:21:15 AM

Moving on… One thing I’ve tried to do this year in my columns is discuss personal growth and professional development, as I believe there are always things we can do to help ourselves, our families, our team, and our business. At the beginning of the year, I wanted to pick a theme to cover in each of these articles and I was not sure how this theme would be received. I just want to say, month-in and month-out, I’ve had people reach out to me thanking me for the articles and expressing the value that they thought the articles brought to them. I’m extremely humbled by this and appreciate all the kind words I’ve received throughout the year.

clients through Zoom meetings now, whereas in years past, I expected everything had to be done in person. Many of those meetings were at their homes and consumed a lot of my time in the driving alone. I am now able to use that time better because of what 2020 has taught me.

For my last article, the message is simple: Look forward to 2021, but do not forget the value of 2020. I have heard consistent dialogue amongst friends, co-workers, and family members about how they cannot wait for 2020 to be over. I cannot tell you how much it pains me to hear people wishing away the most valuable thing we have in life – that being TIME.

In closing, I hope you all enjoyed my articles throughout the year and took something meaningful from each of them. I’ve enjoyed writing them; I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you; but most of all I’ve enjoyed every second of being president of this great association. I know I am leaving it in even better hands, moving forward, as we have an amazing board that is going to continue to do great things, not to mention the most dedicated staff any of us could ever hope for.

I fully understand that 2020 has been terrible for many of us, but think we would be ignorant not to acknowledge the good that came from it, which will hopefully make 2021 better. For one, I value haircuts more than I ever did in my life, something that I can thank 2020 for. I also have no problem meeting

6 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The image I used at the beginning of this article is one that really struck a chord with me, especially as it applies to 2020. Most of us will probably look at 2020 as one of the “downs,” but because of 2020, we will all – hopefully – look at 2021 as one of the “ups.” It’s important to not forget this moving forward.

I wish nothing but the best for each one of you moving forward and thank you for this amazing opportunity in my life. It is something I will value and appreciate until my last day.

FOROLA SAFETY F EATURE ARTI CLESAK E EDUCATION SERIES “If you want to improve your results utilizing simple tools that you can immediately apply, make Marvin your first call.”

- Sam A. Misseri, Vice President - Business Development

GET MARVINIZED! EVENT INFORMATION DATE & LOCATION DECEMBER 17, 2020 OLA WEBINAR

AGENDA PROGRAM 3:00 PM TO 5:00 PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: $49 PER PERSON NON MEMBERS: $79 PER PERSON REGISTER TO ATTEND BY DECEMBER 10, 2020

SALES TRAINING CLINIC Selling Value, Not Price.

Marvin Montgomery, better known as the “Sales Doctor,” will conduct a 2-hour webinar focused on Key Selling Techniques that will enable your staff to become effective at selling the value of your services, instead of discounting the price of them.

Key Learning Points • Improve basic fundamental selling skills • Raise the level of confidence during a sales call • Understand the Power of Attitude • Clarify customer’s reasons for price resistance

• • • •

Examine 3 options to respond to price resistance Learn options & alternatives to discounting price Learn what justifies an adjustment on the price Increase profit to your company’s bottom line

Each participant will receive training materials for review and follow-up, as well as a Personal Action Plan to be completed after the training that should be shared with their manager in order to hold participants accountable.

INSTRUCTED BY

MARVIN MONTGOMERY / MARVIN MONTGOMERY & ASSOCIATES For more than 30 years, Marvin Montgomery has earned widespread national recognition and praise for his informative, practical and stimulating programs that reflect his basic philosophy: “Preparation and practice are the keys to sales success.” Marvin’s captivating presentations have assisted hundreds of organizations to meet or exceed their sales goals using his training programs that focus on “How to Become a Trusted Advisor.” Many of Marvin’s clients have said that getting “Marvinized” has truly made a difference in their company and Marvin has become a mandatory part of company training.

SPONSORED BY

2020 SALES TRAINING CLINIC / REGISTRATION CLOSES 12/10/20

(Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147)

Company Contact Address City State Phone (______)

Zip

Fax (______) Email

NAME OF ATTENDEE

FEE

$

$

$

$

 Check No. (Enclosed)

Charge to my:

Acct. No. Name on Card

Exp. Date

Security Code

Signature

Billing Address + Zipcode for Card 2 7 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association CEU’S

 MasterCard  Visa  AMEX  Discover

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/EDUCATION

PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb

Photo courtesy of BrightView Landscape Services.

THE HOLIDAY BOOKSHELF 2020 EDITION

Winter and the holidays are coming all too quickly. If you are looking for books to give as holiday gifts, I have some suggestions for you.

NATURE’S BEST HOPE: A NEW APPROACH TO CONSERVATION THAT STARTS IN YOUR YARD Tallamy, Douglas W., Timber Press, 2019 Portland, Oregon

Those of us in the green industry are more aware than the average homeowner of the environmental threat posed by climate change. I’ve recently read frightening statistics that demonstrate that we are losing species of flora and fauna at an alarming rate due to climate change.

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

While various government entities are slow to move, Doug Tallamy posits that we, as individuals, can turn our yards into conservation corridors that will provide habitats for wildlife. Most habitat now is too fragmented to sustain one species, much less biodiverse species. “Creating biological corridors will enlarge the populations of plants and animals within protected habitat, enabling them to weather normal population fluctuations indefinitely.”

Tallamy tells us that conservation approaches of the twentieth century, i.e. preserves and national parks, are not nearly enough to save biodiversity. Conservation has to be everyone’s responsibility. We need to redesign public and private landscapes that convert at least half of the area now in lawn to attractive landscapes that are packed with plants and contribute to local continued on page 10 ecosystems instead of destroying them.

we make you

Avon | Broadview | Hilliard WWW.PREMIERPLANTSOLUTIONS.COM

PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 8

Changing the lawn mindset will not be easy because, for three hundred years in America, lawn has been a status symbol that signified wealth and good citizenship. Doug believes that two factors can help us change the lawn culture: the cost of irrigation and ecological landscape design that reduces lawn, adding native plants wherever possible, and, eventually, using lawn as pathways only.

This ecological landscape should not be confined to the back yard. Good design is acceptable to everyone. It could be as simple as adding one oak tree to the front yard. Although there are studies about ecosystem functionality, most of us do not realize that the stability and ability of this functionality is related to the number of species in it and the coevolved relationship between the flora and fauna. It is imperative, therefore, that we designers create ecosystems, not just landscape decoration.

Most people are disdainful of insects even though they sustain the earth’s ecosystems by sustaining the plants and animals that compose the ecosystems (Tallamy elaborates on this statement). When native plants are destroyed and/ or replaced with introduced plants, insect populations are greatly reduced. Tallamy cites many different studies in his book but one that I was particularly interested in was about the difference in the fat content of berries that birds eat in the fall to make up for the loss of insects. Those of introduced plants had far less fat (necessary to survive the winter) than those of native plants. One of the native plants cited in the study was Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa), a plant that I love and use in many of my designs for its site adaptability and its seasons of interest. Sadly, this dogwood is not used nearly enough. Although the species is quite large, there are several cultivars that I find quite useful.

We need plants to sustain insects and animals but which ones do we need the most? Tallamy says that we should focus on enhancing the populations of insects that have the greatest impact on terrestrial ecosystems: those that are the most edible and most nutritious and those responsible for most of the pollination required by plants. Therefore, we should be focusing on caterpillars, sawflies, and native bees. Since caterpillars are the mainstay of most bird diets, we need to know which plants are the best hosts for caterpillars. This

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

will vary by locality but fortunately, there are tools that we can all use. This will vary by locality but fortunately, there are tools that we can all use. We can go to the National Wildlife Federation website and just put in “native plant finder.” The ranked list of plants that support the most caterpillars, both woody and herbaceous plants, will pop up for your zip code, wherever you are in the country. The Audubon Society has created a similar website.

The research has found that there are a few “keystone” genera – Quercus (Oak), Prunus (Cherry), Salix (Willow) – that remain the same across the country. Not being an entomologist, it never occurred to me that caterpillars crawl off their host plants before pupating and that we need to provide a safe space for that developmental stage. Caterpillars evidently need leaf litter in which to spin their cocoons but if they drop off a tree surrounded completely by lawn, they need to crawl further. The answer is surrounding our trees with groundcover or shrub and perennial beds.

Native bees need nesting sites, flowers in bloom throughout the seasons from which to gather nectar and pollen, and water. The majority of native bees nest in the ground but, if you believe as I do that the notion of fall cleanup is antithetical to nature’s cycles, you will be doing a favor for the bees that nest in the pithy stems of perennials.

Going back to the notion of ecological landscape design, Tallamy envisions a Homegrown National Park that is composed of multitudinous properties, many of them in the suburbs and quite small. A starting place has been the National Wildlife Federation program of certified wildlife habitats. To be eligible, one must be able to check off a list of attributes. However, this does not mean that the gardens are well designed. I believe that is the next step and, in many instances, it means changing the regulations of homeowners associations. What can we as individuals do? Tallamy lists ten steps that each of us can take.

This book is a mere 254 pages but not one that you can breeze through. It is quite thought provoking and one you should definitely read if you want to be involved in making our world a better place – for us and for future generations.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you this past year! It has been a very trying year, with a lot of uncertainty and together we made it through it! We are looking forward to growing our relationship next year, and we are constantly ‘growing’ for you!

Check us out on the web at www.davistreefarm.com sales@davistreefarm.com

PLANTING THE NATURAL GARDEN

Oudolf, Piet and Gerritsen, Henk Timber Press, 2019 Portland, Oregon

Two early advocates of the naturalistic garden, Piet Oudolf and Hank Gerritsen, are well-known to those of us in the perennial world. This book was originally printed in 1990 but has now been updated and revised according to the experience gained since then. Both men are garden designers who believe that careful selection of plants is needed in order to create a palette of reliable plants that look wild but require minimal maintenance.

They also believe that we should use plants that are ecologically sensitive to the site while enhancing or hiding architectural features and/or creating an emotional atmosphere.

6126 Neff Rd. Valley City, OH PH: 330-483-3324 Fax: 330-483-4483

The first half of the book is an encyclopedic list of the perennials and grasses that they believe are most useful in naturalistic gardens. The list has been revised to focus on lower maintenance plants. The second half of the book discusses plants that can be characterized by particular traits and used to achieve specific effects. Each section is followed by a list of perennials and grasses that epitomize these traits and effects. I love the addition of “Scatter Plants” that give a garden a spontaneous appearance, thus helping to give a sense of rhythm.

In all their designs, great emphasis is placed on using the structure of plants, both in and out of flower, as well as contrasting textures with foliage and flower or inflorescence.

One of the hallmarks of their design is the use of plants with excellent winter silhouettes as well as structure and seedheads for wildlife.

In addition, they point out that color establishes mood and they give examples to demonstrate that a tranquil scheme does not have to be boring. Masses of perennials frequently have “weight” that can be alleviated and contrasted with the lightness of masses of ornamental grasses. continued on page 12 The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 11

PEREN N I AL FOCUS continued from page 11

Many gardeners are enthused in the spring but lose interest by late summer. Oudolf and Gerritsen supply a list of late summer and fall bloomers and encourage planting them among spring bloomers so that the space does double duty. They firmly believe that gardens should not be boring in the fall. Near to my heart is their admonition to avoid the gloom of autumn by eschewing the notion of fall cleanup, i.e. cutting everything down.

At the end of the book, some of Piet’s and Henk’s planting plans are included with plant lists. They are both an insight into their methods of design and demonstrate some of the combinations that they love. The combinations make use of plants that flower at the same time and that have the same ecological requirements.

Throughout the book, all points are beautifully illustrated with excellent photographs. This book, like their others, is quite inspiring and applicable to all of our gardens.

THE MODERN COTTAGE GARDEN: A FRESH APPROACH TO A CLASSIC STYLE Loades, Greg Timber Press, 2020 Portland, Oregon

was talking about the garden that, to my eye, was quite wild.

She characterized it as a typical English cottage garden that was not the American romanticized version – no design, merely the result of happenstance. A friend would give her a plant and she would stick it in wherever she could find space.

Loades speaks of the traditional cottage garden as a pastel, organized chaos where plants are allowed to seed willy-nilly and the peak season being the intersection of spring and summer. It is also a wildlife and pollinator friendly garden so full that herbicides are not needed to control weeds. This is not a garden for those who need an ordered garden; rather, it is low maintenance because plants are allowed to mingle. It is not, however, a no maintenance garden because the seeders need to be edited and vigorous perennials need to be divided.

Without this early maintenance, charming becomes messy and aggressive plants will dominate to the point where diversity will be eliminated. Keep in mind that this garden includes bulbs, roses and shrubs, not just perennials.

In contrast, the new perennial garden doesn’t come into its own until mid-summer and fall. It undulates and offers the contrast of wispy foliage, tough perennial seedheads and structure, and more striking color. Although it looks naturalistic, it is actually painstakingly designed, at least at the beginning, to emphasize structure, form, shape, and texture. It also stays intact through most of the winter.

Elements of the chaotic cottage garden do assert themselves eventually, thus fostering the notion of naturalism.

What is a modern cottage garden? Greg Loades defines it as a mix of the best of the traditional cottage garden and the best of the new perennial garden. I love his secondary definition: a gardener’s garden, one for the person who can’t resist plants.

The traditional cottage garden speaks of romance and nostalgia while the new perennial garden (epitomized by Oudolf and Gerritsen) incorporates ornamental grasses and perennials that offer interest long after their petals have fallen.

The author regards the new cottage garden as an evolving garden. To me, that is what a garden should be. Gardens are not meant to be static although many people pay a lot of money for sterile landscapes that involve a great deal of maintenance. Heaven forbid that they get the least bit messy!

(This is my opinion, not the author’s.) Loades suggests that the underlying principles of creating the new cottage garden are designing for spontaneity, curiosity, embracing change in the garden, planting in small groupings if the space if small, and planning for all seasons.

The Loades garden is both classic and contemporary and celebrates diversity through love of plants rather than through deliberate design. I am reminded by that comment of a visit in the early 1990s to England. I was conversing with a nursery owner’s wife. Their house was on the nursery property and she

I was surprised that Loach questioned the need for lawn but Doug Tallamy would probably hug him. If it isn’t needed for athletic endeavors, he suggests reducing it to a network of paths among planted areas, particularly curvilinear paths that add a natural flow and make the garden look larger.

12 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

There is a whole chapter on using and planting containers as a way of augmenting a garden or of having a garden above ground instead of in ground. Loach sees container gardening as a great way to experiment with combinations and as a way to combine plants that don’t have the same cultural needs.

The second half of the book consists of “A Year in the Modern Cottage Garden” in which Loach delineates the beauty of each season and the chores entailed to keep it looking good. That is followed by his list of fifty essential plants for this type of garden. My only caveat is that Loach is English and some of the plants he mentions are not hardy for those of us in northern Ohio. I think you will enjoy this well-illustrated book.

Lots of food for thought in these three books. So, fix yourself a delicious drink, find a comfortable chair, and settle in for a good read.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and four season landscapes. In addition to being an Ohio Landscape Association (OLA) member, she is an active member of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association (ONLA) and Perennial Plant Association (PPA) and Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD).

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 13

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

MICHAEL J. DONNELLAN M3 Wealth Management

LOW INTEREST RATES AND THE SEARCH FOR YIELD Low yields have made income tough to come by in recent years, and they have sent investors searching for yield and income wherever they can find it.

The Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate level to near zero in mid-March of this year, affecting interest rates. When thinking about the effect that low interest rates have on investments, the impacts are mixed. Fixed-income investors dislike low interest rates because returns on bonds, certificates of deposit and savings accounts are low. But businesses, home buyers and the stock market prefer low interest rates. With lower borrowing costs, companies can grow and expand more quickly leading to greater profits.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Savvy investors understand that a diversified investment portfolio will typically include bond investments, but given the low interest rate environment, they may not be as attractive right now.

Here are a few ways for you to increase your returns and counteract the effect of low interest rates that depress returns on fixed assets.

Investors have been challenged to find yield for over a decade The financial crisis starting in 2008 depressed yields and now the pandemic in 2020 crushed them again. continued on page 16

1-866-666-SALT (7258) DRY BULK SALT & BAGGED MATERIAL 24 hour / 7 days a week availability 10-25 ton dry salt—same day delivery pick up of bulk salt every order weighed and ticketed state

- approved scale / delivery of bagged salt or deicing material

pickup

volume discounts available we supply clearlane™ enhanced deicer by cargill a sodium and magnesium blend

-

bagged deicing chemicals

DOME LOCATION 11444 Brookpark Rd • Brooklyn, OH, 44130

ROYALTON SUPPLY LOCATION 11528 Royalton Rd, North Royalton, OH 44133

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 15

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

continued from page 14 Federal Reserve officials signaled plans to keep interest rates near zero for years and said they were studying how to provide more support to a U.S. economy battered by the coronavirus and related shutdowns.

High yield bonds may be a good option within a portion of your fixed income portfolio, but of course have higher default risk.

An investor could sit on the sideline and wait for yields to rise, but that is not a smart strategy. Perhaps a laddered approach could help.

A bond ladder is a portfolio of individual bonds that mature on different dates. Picture a ladder with several rungs and spacing between the rungs. The individual bonds are the rungs and the time between maturities is the spacing between the rungs. By spacing out the maturities of the various bonds, investors don’t get locked into one interest rate.

Scenarios illustrated are hypothetical in nature, results may vary.

Investing is subject to risk which may involve loss of principal.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

A bond ladder can help take the guesswork out of investing because it helps investors manage whatever interest-rate environment arises. If yields rise, the maturing bonds can be reinvested at those higher yields. If yields fall, maturing bonds will unfortunately be reinvested into lower-yielding bonds, but the existing bonds will still provide the higher yields that were initially locked in.

You might have heard the saying “time in the market is more important than timing the market.” A bond ladder—and a disciplined approach to keeping it intact—can help investors stay invested through whatever interest environment arises.

Investors should also look to broaden their search for income beyond bonds. Perhaps a greater emphasis on dividend-paying stocks, with an important caveat: Focus on dividend growth rather than just the dividend yield. Many sectors offering high yields are the most vulnerable to a rise in rates. Instead, yield-hungry investors could even find some good dividends in technology and healthcare offering rising dividends.

Some investors look for companies that have increased dividends for 25 or 50 years. Most of those are modest increases though.

It’s not a big deal to increase your dividend from 40 cents per quarter to 41 cents.

Others look for big dividend yields. That could also be a red flag. The company may be paying out too much of their cash flow and sacrificing growth. Or the stock has been hit and the dividend could be in jeopardy.

I prefer to invest in companies that have increased their dividends each of the last five years and increased them substantially. There are companies that have more than doubled their dividend while growing revenues and earnings.

Investors shouldn’t necessarily discard bonds from a portfolio because yields are low; especially more conservative investors.

Rather, they should make sure owning the right investments to better help navigate today’s challenging environment:

• Consider high-quality, intermediate-term holdings for the diversification benefits they provide.

• Remember that waiting in cash has a cost, as income payments from higher-yielding alternatives can compound over time.

• Reach for yield … but cautiously. Consider adding some riskier fixed asset classes as long as any allocation is in line with your risk tolerance.

• Consider bond ladders to help take the guesswork out of investing and to stay invested.

Every investor has different goals and strategies. I believe it is important for the investor and their advisor to develop rules and strategies to help increase profits and reduce risk. Talk to your financial professionals and tax advisors to determine your specific needs and goals.

The M3 Wealth Management Office does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice.

Michael J. Donnellan specializes in stock selection and retirement planning. Feel free to contact him with any questions or comments at the M3 Wealth Management office at 17601 W. 130th Street – Suite 1 in North Royalton, Ohio. Phone: (440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com Securities & advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & Company Registered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB 10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 (800) 478-0788

15 6 5 6 c h i l l i c o t h e r o a d chagrin falls | OH | 44022

( 4 4 0 ) 3 3 8 - 8 10 0 a r t fo r m n u r s e r i e s .c o m The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 17

F OR SAFETY SAK E

SAFETY CULTURE FOR THE WINTER OF 2020-2021 We’ve made it to the winter seasons of 2020, so let us look at some safety practices to get us through this period of cold, through the eyes of a Safety Culture program. By now, all us should have a strong focus on our Culture of Safety – the attitudes, beliefs and work practices an organization maintains towards safe work conditions. It equates to the positive application of safety standards within your company. The winter months pose the usual workplace safety concerns, but it’s always pertinent to review your company operations and the safety protocols in place.

The OSHA General Duty Clause relies on each employer to furnish to each of its employees employment, and a place of employment, which are free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees. Although there are no Federal laws that specifically mandate training for your staff on winter safety, the exposures and hazards that workers face during the colder months are covered by the General Duty Clause. For any employee who is required to work outdoors during the winter months, exposure to cold, foul weather and slippery conditions should be considered a “recognized hazard.” It is the employer’s duty to provide training and properly equip the staff to recognize and be protected from these winter hazards.

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Slip/Fall Hazards – Your staff should be required to wear proper footwear at all times. In colder months, your staff should be reminded to check the treads of their work boots/ shoes to help to prevent slips and falls on wet or icy surfaces.

For work on extremely slippery surfaces, the use of cleats or slip-on grips may be needed. Your staff should also be reminded to take it slow and maintain a stable center-ofgravity when walking across slippery yards or parking lots.

Office staff should be instructed to wear boots to and from their cars and change to office footwear once they arrive indoors. Slick conditions (ice, snow, leaves) should also be noted and corrected as soon as possible, and watch for areas that accumulate water and ice quickly. continued on page 20

SERVICE - SALES - PARTS OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT Most makes and models

Al Pniewski & his son, Allen Jr., look forward to serving your winter equipment needs!

12126 York Rd., Unit A North Royalton, OH 44133 440.230.3807

w w w. A 1 p o w e r. u s

Large selection of new machines year round

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 19

FOR SAFETY SAKE

continued from page 18 Shoveling Snow – the physical demand of removing snow by hand can cause serious injury. Working out in the cold for extended periods, coupled with strenuous activities and overexertion, especially if a person does not exercise regularly, can result in a heart attack or other serious injuries. Warmup exercises before shoveling snow are recommended, as are frequent rest breaks to warm up and prevent dehydration. Stop shoveling if you experience shortness of breath, chest pain or any other signs of a heart attack. When manually removing snow, choose a shovel that has a comfortable grip and is the correct height and length of the user. Spacing your hands on the grip to increase leverage and pushing the snow, instead of lifting it will help to prevent back injuries.

Cold Stress – Anyone who is required to work outdoors, or in unheated or poorly heated garage bays and utility buildings, during the winter months is at risk of cold stress related injuries. All employees should be reminded to take the proper precautions. Proper dress (layers, avoid tight clothing), winter hats and gloves (no scarves near equipment), staying dry and hydrated are keys to avoiding cold stress.

Cold winter weather and wind chills force the body to work harder to maintain core temperature. (Wind Chill is the temperature that the body feels when air temperature and wind speed are combined.) Prolonged work in cold environments may drive down skin temperature and cause serious health problems, tissue damage and even death.

When faced with prolonged exposure to cold, the body strives to maintain core internal temperature, shifting blood flow away from the outer skin and extremities – hands, feet, arms and legs – to the chest and abdomen. This shift causes the skin and extremities to cool and may result in frostbite, hypothermia and a condition known as trench foot.

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Workers who have to work outdoors for extended periods should be provided with warming stations, or be allowed to take frequent breaks indoors. Warm, sweetened liquids – non-alcoholic, obviously – should be provided, as it is easier to become dehydrated in colder weather. Working in teams is recommended so that the staff can monitor each other for signs of cold stress.

Winter Driving – A majority of deaths and serious injuries during snow and ice conditions occur from vehicle accidents!

Safe driving practices should be stressed with your employees throughout the entire year. However, during the winter season, when faced with hazardous road conditions that are not under your control, your drivers should be reminded of your safe driving policies regularly. Commercial Motor Vehicles require a pre-trip inspection prior to operation, and special attention to plow trucks is necessary. Drivers should be wearing proper reflective clothing in the event they have to leave their vehicle while on-route. A good vehicle maintenance program should be in place to ensure that all fluids are at proper levels, brakes and tires are in good condition and cooling, electrical and exhaust systems are functioning properly. Emergency notification equipment should also be available and maintained in the event of a vehicle breakdown.

Remember to take a look at your commencing winter operations and review the safety protocols for each. Confirm that employee attitudes and values benefit your safety culture through commitment to realistic safety practices for continuous organizational learning, improving hazard awareness and management for hazards shared across the workforce.

This article first appeared on the Comp Alliance safety blog, located at https://compalliance.org/resources.html.

OLA MEETINGS SERIES

EVENT INFORMATION

OLA JANUARY MEETING

AGENDA OLA MEETING 3:00 PM TO 3:30 PM

Due to current Covid-19 Social Distancing Guidlines, the OLA will be holding this year’s January

DATE & LOCATION JANUARY 21, 2021 OLA WEBINAR

PROGRAM 3:30 PM TO 5:00 PM COST TO ATTEND MEMBERS: NO CHARGE NON MEMBERS: $30 REGISTER TO ATTEND BY JANUARY 14, 2021

SPONSORED BY

PLATINUM SPONSOR

Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Holding Owners & Managers Accountable Meeting live, via webinar, on January 21, 2021. Our special guest presenter for this meeting will be Kevin Kehoe, Founder of The Aspire Software Company.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are measurable values that demonstrate how effectively a company is achieving its objectives. Kevin will discuss what BOTH business owners and their managers should be looking for - outside of your standard financials. Both ‘groups’ should come away with a better understanding of these metrics and what to do with the information they learn from compiling them, including: • •

Three KPIs that Drive Net Profit How to Improve Upon Each KPI

• •

What KPIs are Measured for Which Key Positions What Roles Leadership & Management Play

NOTE: The start time for this event will be 3pm, instead of the normal 6pm start time.

GUEST SPEAKER

KEVIN KEHOE / FOUNDER OF THE ASPIRE SOFTWARE COMPANY

EMERALD SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

Before launching The Aspire Software Company, Kevin was a nationally recognized consultant for more than 35 years, including 26 years in the landscape industry. He’s provided practical solutions, systems and advice to over 400 landscape contractors in the areas of sales management, financial management, budgeting, pricing and merger and acquisition – all with the goal of growth and profitability. He is known for his sales system and his benchmarking expertise.

ABOUT THE ASPIRE SOFTWARE COMPANY

KURTZ BROS., INC SILVER SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSOR

1.5 CEU’S

In 2013 Aspire began building the best business software for landscape and snow companies.

Since then, they have grown from a concept (a cloud-based software system for landscape contractors that is easy to use and robustly trained and supported) to a company with a long list of clients who trust them to run their business. Aspire combines the latest IT technology with an exceptional deployment, training and support experience. They’re focused on maximizing employee productivity while providing you with the processes, tools and information to drive down your job costs and drive up your revenue growth. And the best part? Industry best practices come standard.

PRESENTED BY

REGISTER ONLINE AT OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG/MEETINGS

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, Ph.D Cuyahoga Community College Peking Lilacs are native to northern China, but grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7.

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

SYRINGA PEKINENSIS PEKING LILAC

Surely your company has planted their fair share of Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata), and most likely, ‘Ivory Silk’ as the dominant cultivar. These are great trees that do well in urban settings, as they can be situated under power lines and offer some flowering with OK fall colors. This month, we’d like to introduce you to what we think is an improvement upon the Japanese Tree Lilac, and that is Syringa pekinensis – Peking Lilac.

Some quick nitty-gritty… Most taxonomists have changed the name Syringa pekinensis to Syringa reticulata subspecies pekinensis, which is a move that places the Peking Lilac as a subspecies of Japanese Tree Lilac. Perhaps this is true from a DNA level, but from a practical standpoint – at landscape horticulture level – it does not matter, nor is it needed. From a visual interpretation though, there is enough of a difference between these two trees to consider them as separate species, so we are going to keep with that line of logic for this article.

Now, let’s talk about why you should plant this tree! As we all know, it can be difficult to find “below the wire” street trees. We also know, perhaps all-to-well, what happens to trees that reach

too far into the electrical wires. Those poor trees become crownbutchered skeletons. That being understood, a tree like Peking Lilac does an exceptional job of minding its height, sticking around the 20 to 25 foot range. This means the top of the tree will be tickling the wires, but should not meet the threshold of the company contracted for line clearance. Of course some overzealous crew leader may decide to cut it back regardless, but those cuts would equate to a crown reduction, which will not cause major structural harm to the tree, unlike the giant holes they carve into larger trees.

The straight species of Peking Lilac will stretch from about 15 to 20 feet wide, but a highly improved form called ‘Great Wall’ continued on page 24

22 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Since 1986, VanCuren Tree Services has been Northeast Ohio’s complete tree care specialist.

We provide comprehensive services for any residential, commercial, or utility tree care need.

The tree professionals at VanCuren Tree Services have helped home and business owners throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio maintain the beauty, vitality, and safety of their trees.

We are proud to offer a full range of tree care services, from tree and stump removal to storm damage clean up to utility work and beyond.

To find out more about what VanCuren has to offer, visit our website at www.vancurentreecare.com, or call us at 440.338.5005 today for a free consultation.

• Complete Tree Maintenance Programs

• 75’ Bucket Trucks

• Certified Arborists on Staff

• Deep Root Fertilization

• Tree Removal

• 24-Hour Emergency Service

• Tree Trimming

• Stump Grinding

• Land Clearing

• Tree Moving

• 178’ 50 Ton Crane SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Michael Sowul, Certified Arborist James DiRosa, Certified Arborist David R. Van Curen

PHONE: 440.338.5005 FAX: 440.564.9319

Your Complete Tree Care Specialists www.vancurentreecare.com

PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 22 stays closer to 12 to 15 feet wide, further suggesting that it may be used in a narrow devil-strip (“tree lawn” for you non-Akron natives calling devil strip by the wrong name).

Speaking of names, Bill Hendricks, of Klyn Nurseries, found this particular plant near the Great Wall of China during one of his visits there and aptly named it ‘Great Wall.’ During a study abroad in the spring of 2002, Jim visited the Great Wall (which is really a series of many different walls), north of Beijing, at a popular site named Badaling, then further west at Datong.

In visiting these areas, one will find Syringa pekinensis growing along the steep slopes in rather gravely, dry soil, in full sun.

Fortunately, the trees were in full bloom during Jim’s visit and it was easy to see variability in the size of the inflorescence, as well as a range from bright-white, to off-white, to softer yellow tones. It’s quite possible that there are even better selections to be found, hiding along the steep slopes adjacent to the thousands of miles of walls.

Bark is another feature of this tree that offers a little more interest than that of Japanese Tree Lilac. Most trees will have a copper-red to cinnamon colored bark which often peels in very thin sheets, like a Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum). This provides stunning winter interest, along with a more upright

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

and finer texture in the crown, when compared to S. reticulata.

Another difference is that S. pekinensis typically strives to be a multi-stem tree, whereas S. reticulata tends to be a single trunk. It is possible to train Peking Lilac into single-stem tree form, if preferred, and is a great point of discussion with the nursery you purchase them from.

Flowers are similar between the two, with Peking being a tad smaller and usually showing a few weeks before Japanese Lilac.

Colors range by cultivar, with ‘Beijing Gold’ being a softer yellow hue and ‘Great Wall’ being a much clearer, bright white.

All will fade quickly, like Japanese Tree Lilac, so if possible, it is ideal to deadhead the flowers, as they seem to boost more floral production the following year. We are aware that deadheading the tree is not going to happen with most clients, and that is fine, as this tree will still bloom strong each year, even if you never touch it.

Fall color is improved on these trees. Where S. reticulata quickly fades, S. pekinensis seems to have a stronger game with the yellow and oranges lasting for a week, or two. During the season, leaves are a deep-green with a little bit of sheen to them, making a great contrast to the flowers in early summer. Like all lilacs, the fruit is completely non-ornamental and will be unnoticed by all.

&

Beauty Fences of

Quality

• Cedar fences (Many styles available).

• Aluminum & Vinyl fences (In stock).

• Several styles and colors to choose from.

Wholesale Prices to OLA Members, or Professional Installation by our Crews.

1053 Bank St. Akron,OH 44305 330-784-0456 www.acmefence.com Syringa is derived from the Greek word syrinx, which means tube, or pipe. This is a reference to the easily hollowed-out, soft pith in the stems, making them like little pipes. Pekinensis means “from Peking,” which is the same as Beijing. When westerners began colonizing the East, they created their own way of writing the words they heard, as they could not understand the culture’s writing. Peking was the first name for the capital of China, which is now called Běijīng, and is in Northeast China.

Syringa pekinensis is native across all of Northern China, which makes it very adaptable to the Ohio landscape. It is very adaptable to soil types, from slight-acidic to slight-alkaline, but does not thrive in heavy/wet soils. Ideal siting is a well-drained, loose soil, but it can tolerate the denser, junky soils found in the devil strip. There are not many issues for this plant, and it shows strong resistance to powdery mildew, unlike some other Syringa species.

BUYANSKY BROTHERS Dyed Black & Brown Mulch Screened Topsoil Double Shred Organic Bark Mulch * Volume price discounts available

MATERIALS Black, Brown, Red Mulches

•

Natural Organic Bark Mulch

•

Screened Topsoil

•

Leaf Humus

•

Limestone and Wash Gravels

•

Recycled Concrete

•

Aggregates

•

Granite and Sandstone

accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program. He has a PhD

•

Boulders

in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai

•

Seed & Straw

is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care.

(216) 524-3100

The Landscape Materials You Need, From a Name You Can Trust •

Jim Funai, PhD. is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP

Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm Saturday 8am – 12pm 9400 Broadview Rd. Broadview Heights, OH

BUYANSKYMATERIALS.COM The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 25

F EATURE ARTI CLE

HOW TO EVALUATE USED EQUIPMENT ONLINE Some of you may be apprehensive about buying equipment during COVID-19 — and that’s understandable.

The desire to avoid face-to-face contact, plus varying state travel restrictions, can make it tricky. It’s one reason why online purchases, which have been on the rise for years, have boomed in 2020. Pair that with contractors increasingly looking for more affordable options, and you can see the opportunity that’s there for online used equipment purchases.

The automobile industry is already seeing an uptick. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, “used [car] sales actually exceed pre-pandemic levels by approximately 20%.” Used machine sales are likely to rise as well.

Even before the pandemic took hold, more and more contractors were buying used equipment online, and in our fast-paced world, online equipment transactions will increasingly become the norm, with customer preference given to those who provide the most convenient and streamlined process.

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

In fact, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 has completely changed how used equipment companies interact with customers. While buyers used to travel to inspect machines, travel restrictions and health concerns now make this less common. Companies can take advantage of this shift by adapting how they offer their products. At Volvo, they do this by offering Certified Used and Inspected Used machines.

Both are advertised online with a guaranteed inspection report, eliminating the need for customers to travel onsite to continued on page 28 inspect machines.

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 27

F EATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 26

TIPS TO BUY USED EQUIPMENT ONLINE To help you feel more confident with inspecting and purchasing used construction equipment online, here are some tips to help you properly evaluate used equipment when you can’t evaluate machines in person — these tips apply no matter where you intend to buy.

1) Always know your equipment seller. Large dealers and OEMs usually have inventory in different states, so the right machine may not always be close by. When evaluating machines that aren’t nearby, know the seller and do business with companies that can knowledgeably speak about the machine and its condition, plus provide you any other requested information in a timely manner. The best advice is to restrict your online purchases to sellers that can be verified and who have a solid reputation.

2) Start with an inspection report. You should always understand the quality of the machine within your budget.

While there are nice, clean, high-hour machines, lower budgets require older machines with more hours, and the likelihood of major component failure and other issues naturally increases. Inspection reports can give you real insight, and whether there are several items on the report or just one. Try to find out why they weren’t repaired.

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

3) Ask for a repair quote. There are two main reasons a seller hasn’t repaired something: 1) the cost was too expensive or 2) the seller didn’t want to invest more into the machine than they had to. Both are understandable, but you have to make sure the price of the machine is consistent with its present condition.

4) Request all service records and oil samples. If service records can’t be provided by the seller, give the serial number to an OEM dealer and request they give you the records.

Most OEM dealer service departments are more than willing to assist. When it applies, oil samples are critical because they give you the internal vitals of the power train.

5) Assess the wear components on the machine. Anything that moves has the potential to fail. Major components cost the most to replace or rebuild, but there are times when the smaller repairs can eat up the budget faster. For example, having to replace a seat belt, wiring harness, a set of steps or fenders usually isn’t a big issue. However, if all four need to be replaced, you can easily spend close to $10,000.

6) Look at the sheet metal, the paint and the undercarriage and request a video of the machine operating. Look at the age and hours of the machine. Machines that are hammered usually give themselves away through the cosmetics (dents,

REAL STONE

REAL STYLE Flagstone Wallstone Outcropping Boulders Chunks Step Treads

(Sawn, Snapped, Irregular)

Travertine

REAL STONE

Natural Stone Veneer Barnstone

REAL STYLE

Decorative Gravel

ADDRESS: 9718 AVON LAKE RD, LODI, OH 44254 PHONE: (330) 948-1006 EMAIL: DOUG.FRANKBROS@GMAIL.COM W W W . F R A N K B R O T H E R S . C O M

scrapes, etc.). Pay close attention to the paint as well. It isn’t uncommon to see used machines repainted. You just need to know the difference between painting to clean up and painting to hide. There are certain signs of the paint job that can give you clues. If you can’t tell the condition of the paint job with the online photos and video, ask the seller to send you close-ups of areas you think look questionable.

•

•

Quality paint jobs meant to clean up a machine give an honest presentation that shows someone took pride in their machine or that they simply wanted to further represent that the machine is in good shape for its age/hours.

Paint jobs with runs, flakes, the wrong color or incorrectly painted items indicate a rush job, the desire to hide something or simply that the owner didn’t know what he was doing. Either way, if a bad paint job is detected, proceed with extreme caution.

7) Get a guaranteed condition report. If a company doesn’t offer a guaranteed condition report, it’s recommend that you travel onsite and inspect the machine, when possible.

8) Request a virtual walk around. Virtual walkarounds are becoming more popular, and if done right, can actually

provide the visual information you need to make a wellinformed decision about a piece of used equipment. Most virtual walkarounds use recorded video. Many dealers offer this service to customers. The process starts with a specific visual request by the customer. Some use video calling or prerecorded video and physically walk around the machine and address each specific item. Other companies use software that allows sellers to connect potential buyers with a certified facility technician, who will conduct the workaround. This process involves the seller sending a connection link via text to both parties and then the seller physically records the walkaround (if requested) while the buyer watches via their cell phone.

IN CLOSING Down the road, technology will change how sellers interact and represent equipment to customers. The current pandemic has created this opportunity. In the end, customers have to be able to trust the process and the product.

This article was written by Jared Haughton, Product & Sales Manager, Used Equipment for Volvo CE. Jared grew up in the used equipment business, first with his father’s company and now with Volvo CE. This article appeared on the Volvo Construction Equipment blog, located at https://volvoceblog.com/equipment/used-equipment.

The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 29

D I RECTI ON S

MILESTONES This year has been memorable to say the least. While we could dwell on what we could not do, I prefer to celebrate the positives! One of the positive memorable things is the many of OLA Members celebrating Milestone Membership years with OLA. Wow! Such an impressive list! Congratulations to all. Those members recognized are:

55-Year Member

20-Year Members

10-Year Members cont...

The Cirino Companies

Angelotta Landscape Associates, LLC Bobcat of Akron--Leppo Rents BrightView Landscape Services Brobst Maintenance, Inc. Environmental Management, Inc. Enviroscapes McCallister’s Landscaping & Supply, Inc Northshore Landscape & Design, Inc. Pete Scalzo Landscaping, Inc. Reliable Lawn Service S.A.M. Landscaping, Inc. T&S Power Service, Inc. The Lawn Ranger Zoresco Equipment - Ohio

Burns JCB CUI Services Genesis Landscaping, Inc. Green Impressions GreenLawn Specialists Jones Landscapes, Inc. Maintenance Masters Property Services O’Bryan Grounds Maintenance T.K.P. Irrigation & Lighting Specialists Tournoux, LLC W.L. Tucker Supply Co.

45-Year Member Spena Landscape Contractors

40-Year Member Emmett Equipment Company H.A.M. Landscaping, Inc. Kurtz Bros., Inc. Royal Landscape-Gardening, Inc.

30-Year Members Finley Landscaping Service, Inc. J.F.D. Landscapes, Inc. Ohio Valley Group, Inc. Oliger Seed Co. Rinaldi Landscape Co.

25-Year Members Haymaker Tree and Lawn, Inc. Hume Tree Farms, Inc. Lawn Lad, Inc. Morton’s Landscape Development Co. North Branch Nursery, Inc. The Sagamore Companies

15-Year Members Beardslee Nursery, LLC Exscape Designs, LLC Great Lakes Landscaping, Inc. Jenkins Maintenance Co., Inc. KGK Gardening & Design Corp.

Maslyk Landscaping, Inc. Ready Field Solutions R-Jay Landscaping, Inc. Stoney Creek Landscaping Terry D. Smith Total Lawn Care, LLC

10-Year Members Advanced Turf Solutions All About You Signature Landscape Design Inc Augustine Landscaping Bella’s Lawn & Landscape

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

5-Year Members Ariens Company Bartlett Tree Expert Co. Briar Rose Nurseries Central Liberty Landscaping, LLC CLE Landscaping Co., LLC Columbus Turf Nursery, Ltd. Frate Landscaping, Inc. Herman Losely And Son, Inc Johnson Property Services, LLC Kaufman Landscaping Company M.J. Design Associates, Inc. Mock Property Services Nelson Land Care, Inc, No Limits Landscaping, Inc ProScape Lawn & Landscape Services,LLC Rocky Fork Company Rocky Gardens Landscape Group, LLC Tabor’s Landscaping & Garden Center Wally’s Landscape, Inc. Zbin Landscaping, Inc.

ADVERTI SI N G I N D E X

19

A-1 Power Equipment

15

Abraxus Royalton Landscape Supply

25

Acme Fence & Lumber

17

Artform Nurseries

6

Bigfoot Landscape Supply

2

Botson Insurance Group, Inc.

25

Buyansky Brothers Landscape Materials

11

Davis Tree Farm & Nursery, Inc.

32

Ditch Witch Mid States

27

Earth N’ Wood Landscape Supply Center

29

Frank Brothers Landscape Supply

13

Kurtz Bros., Inc.

19

MRLM Landscape Materials

Congratulations to our officers and directors! I am looking forward to working with each of you in the coming year.

13

O’Reilly Equipment

If you are interested in being more involved with OLA, we will be holding committee meetings virtually on Zoom and hopefully getting back to in-person meetings soon. If you would like to join a committee, please contact me so that we can talk about committees and find one suited to your interests. You can call me at 440-717-0002 or send an email to sandy@ohiolandscapers.org.

9

Additionally, we held our first ever electronic vote to approve the slate of the 2021 board. The new board will be comprised of:

2020 OFFICERS

President - Dr. James Funai, PhD., Cuyahoga Community College President-Elect - Brian Maurer, LIC, Brian-Kyles Treasurer - Stephanie Gray, LIC, BrightView Landscape Services Corporate Secretary/Exec. Director - Sandy Munley, OLA Immediate Past President - Domenic Lauria, Vizmeg Landscapes

2020 DIRECTORS

Brandon Barker, J. Barker Landscaping Keith Clapper, Schill Grounds Management Ryan Drake, J.F.D. Landscapes Cameron Maneri, Kurtz Bros., Inc. Rob Morel, Morel Landscaping, LLC Jeff Rupp, LandCare

Happy Holidays to you and your families!

Premier Plant Solutions

15

Sohar’s / RCPW, Inc.

23

VanCuren Tree Services, Inc.

27

Zoresco Equipment Company The Growing Concern | December 2020 | 31

9240 Broadview Road Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517

12/20

Mid-States

DARE TO COMPARE

Ditch Witch Stand-On Skid Steers - Built to OUTperform

SK600

Small

SK800

Big

1-888-DITCHWITCH ditchwitchmidstates.com

SK1050

Bigger

SK1550

Biggest

Columbus, OH Full Service Branch

Louisville, KY Full Service Branch

Pittsburgh, PA Full Service Branch

Erlanger, KY Service Branch

3660 Interchange Rd, Columbus,OH 43204 400 Sparrow Dr, Shepherdsville,KY 40165 Phone 614-443-9751 | Fax 614-443-9219 Phone 502-543-3309 | Fax 502-543-9613 9052 Marshall Rd, Cranberry Twp,PA 16066 3461 Piedmont Cr, Erlanger KY 41018 Phone 724-742-2844 | Fax 724-742-2877 Phone 859-263-5050 (by appt. only)

SK3000-Full Size CTL

“The Beast”

Cincinnati, OH Satellite Service Phone 513-672-3060

Cleveland, OH Satellite Service Phone 330-220-6585

Rochester, NY Satellite Service Phone 585-334-2920