The Growing Concern April 2020 by Sandy Munley

Growing Concern

The

AP R I L 2 0 2 0

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

Industry Specific COVID-19 Information 23rd Annual Landscape Ohio! Awards Gala (Rescheduled) June 18, 2020 / Windows on the River / PAGE 7

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THE OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION & CORONAVIRUS It goes without saying that the current outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has many of us feeling like our businesses hang in the balance, as we wait to see what effects the virus will have on our industry. We are certainly living through history right now. Some of us are frightened, having been forced to distance ourselves from those loved ones whom are perhaps more vulnerable to the virus than others. Others are frightened that they may potentially lose everything they’ve worked so hard for over the years. I’d venture to say that the majority of us though are probably experiencing a little – if not a lot – of both. At the time that this article was written, the state of Ohio was one of eleven states being put on a Stay-at-Home Order in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus. This notice fueled numerous memos, articles, social media posts, etc., concerning best safety practices, essential work vs. non-essential work, and more. The Ohio Landscape Association has been working diligently to research all of these communications in order to provide you – our members – with the tools and resources necessary to navigate this pandemic.

In addition, we have been in constant contact with National Associations, Local, State and Federal Government Agencies, and other industry professionals to determine best practices, who is covered (employee wise) in unemployment claims, what financial assistance might be available to you, etc., all while trying to advocate that our members perform work that is essential to the health and safety of the communities they serve. Our goal is to provide data-driven information to those who do remaining operational, while stressing the need to enforce the continued on page 6 strictest of safety standards. The Growing Concern | April 2020 | 3

TAB LE OF CON TEN TS A P R I L 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 AL G REEN I N D UST 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 COVER: 2018 Landscape Ohio! Awards entry in the category of Garden Structures & Pavements, Ground Works Land Design.

FEATURES

3 8 12 16 22 26 32 31 31

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

The Ohio Landscape Association and Coronavirus

PERENNIAL FOCUS

Epimedium: Barrenwart, Bishop’s Hat, Fairy Wings

FISCAL FITNESS

The COVID-19 Small Business Loan Program

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.

FOR SAFETY SAKE

Guidance for Business Operations During COVID-19

OFFICERS President Domenic Lauria

OLA STAFF Executive Director Sandy Munley

PLANT OF THE MONTH

President – Elect Dr. James Funai, PhD.

Communications & Events Manager Rick Doll, Jr.

Tsuga Caroliniana: Carolina Hemlock

FEATURE ARTICLE

6 Ways to Keep Your Team Productive Working From Home

DIRECTIONS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ADVERTISING INDEX

4 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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

C AL ENDAR OF EVENTS 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

APRIL & MAY ONGOING As the OLA and its members continue to deal with the unpredictable challenges presented by the COVID-19 virus, our intent is to provide access to online content focused on helping you through this time. Because this content is ever changing, we ask that you monitor email and our facebook page for updates. You and your staff can sign up to receive emails at www.ohiolandscapers.org.

JUNE JUNE 18, 2020 (RESCHEDULED) 23rd ANNUAL AWARDS GALA In the interest of the safety of our members, this year’s Landscape Ohio! Awards has been rescheduled for June 18, 2020. You can still sign up to join Ohio’s landscape community for an evening out as we reveal the 2019 winners, as space is available to those who did not entered awards. This is a great opportunity for those of you who have been contemplating entering, but want to know more about the program, or for those of you just looking to spend an elegant night out.

JULY JULY 9, 2020 (NE OHIO) & JUNE TBD (CENTRAL OHIO) PLANT I.D. CLINIC This clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews covering the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test. Sponsored and hosted by Davis Tree Farm & Nursery.

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The first initiative we’ve established in response to the pandemic is the Keep Ohio Working Initiative. This initiative has been designed to help those who have been laid-off in other industries find employment. Our feelings are that this will allow them to work outside, in an environment safer than your typical office building, restaurant, entertainment venue, etc. While this initiative was established prior to the Governor’s Stay-at-Home Order, we believe it to be a viable program moving forward, as many of those let go will not be able to return to work for an extended period of time, if at all. You must be a member to sign up for the program and can do so by sending your company name, the name of your human resources person, their email and direct phone number to info@ohiolandscapers.org. The second resource we’ve made available to our members is a web portal devoted to compiling up-to-date, industry specific information. In addition to the OLA’s official response to the pandemic, you can find a list of best safety practices to employ during this time, updated information concerning the spread of COVID-19, links to various resources for economic support and workers compensation, and more. This information is located at https://www.ohiolandscapers.org/covid19response.html Finally, through the first couple weeks of this pandemic, we made some very proactive decisions that will allow the office staff to work from home. While response time may lag a little, the OLA will continue to answer your calls, update the website, distribute this magazine, monitor social media and more. In that regard, webinars and town hall meetings are often communicated to us spur-of-the-moment. We highly suggest that those interested signup to receive our emails on the site, or like and follow our facebook page located at https://www. facebook.com/ohiolandscapeassociation/ The uncertainty that lies ahead leaves us in a state of anxiety. We have all read the reports that project how bad this can be and what the effect on the economy could be, as well. It’s important that we remain calm during these times and follow the procedures that our leaders have outlined for us. I’ve read many inspirational articles and messages regarding this virus. I’ve read articles that are patriotic and declare war on the disease. I implore you to understand the importance of remaining positive during the pandemic and understand that this will be conquered. With modern medicine and the dedicated people that are working tirelessly to beat this we must understand it is only a matter of time.

3/1/18 2:13 PM

LANDSCAPE OHIO! AWARDS GALA

LANDSCAPE ENHANCEMENT AWARDS GALA EVENT INFO THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020 WINDOWS ON THE RIVER 2000 SYCAMORE ST, CLEVELAND, OH 44113 AGENDA REGISTRATION/COCKTAILS 5:30PM - 6:45PM DINNER 6:45PM - 7:30PM PROGRAM 7:45PM - 10:00PM

The Landscape Ohio! Awards Program is an annual Landscape competition, created by the Ohio Landscape Association, in effort to increase awareness of quality landscaping and how it improves our environment. In conjunction with this program, the OLA hosts a prestigious Awards Gala to recognize our designers, installers, and property owners. The 2020 gala will be held in the breathtaking Bridge View Room, at Windows on the River, in the heart of Downtown Cleveland. It is a semi-formal event inclusive of a cocktail hour, dinner buffet and awards presentation. It is also an excellent chance for industry professionals to get dressed up and celebrate the work being done by their teams and their peers. This year, the OLA is happy to announce that we will be able to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who did not enter this year’s competition. This is a great opportunity for those of you who have been contemplating entering, but want to know more about the program, or for those of you just looking to spend an elegant night out with industry leaders and get inspired for spring.

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Cancellations made 14 days prior to the event date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations 13 or less prior to the event, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the event. If, for any reason, the event is cancelled, attendees will be notified, and fees refunded in full.

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLD Bobbie’s Green Thumb Epimedium species are deciduous or evergreen hardy perennials. The majority have four-parted “spider-like” flowers in spring. PICTURED: E. × versicolor ‘Sulphureum’

EPIMEDIUM

BARRENWORT, BISHOP’S HAT, FAIRY WINGS One of the stars of the spring garden is Epimedium but, sadly, its attributes are not well known. Although it spreads slowly, Epimedium is a wonderful groundcover for small spaces (not that it isn’t capable of covering large spaces) but it is a bit more expensive than many other groundcovers because it’s more difficult to propagate. Barrenworts generally occur in lightly shaded woodlands in humus-rich soil that retains moisture and provides good drainage; these are the conditions that we should try to replicate if quick coverage is desired. Once established, most Epimedium are relatively drought tolerant and compete well with tree roots and even deep shade because their underground rhizomes hold moisture. In northeast Ohio, they are rarely evergreen although they do exhibit this tendency further south. Most species in cultivation are hardy from USDA Zones 5 to 9.

Epimedium has foliage that is generally composed of two groups of three leaves that may be characterized as oval, heartshaped, or shield-shaped. This foliage is held erect upon thin, wiry stems that allow autumn leaves and needles to fall through and mulch the ground below. The leaves of many Epimedium are tinted red in spring and bronze in fall and winter. Sprays of white, yellow, pink, orange, or lavender flowers appear in May. Epimedium blossoms have been described as miniature columbines, tiny daffodils, spiders, stars, and orchids although I think they frequently resemble tiny fluttering birds. continued on page 10

8 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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PEREN N I AL FOCUS

E.pinnatum var.colchicum

E.grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’

E.’Orange Queen’

continued from page 8 Perhaps the best known species is E. × versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ which sports small yellow flowers. The other common and available species is E. × rubrum which has small red flowers with white spurs. Although it is slower to develop than ‘Sulphureum’, it is worth the wait. Another species that has been growing in my garden for several years is E.alpinum. This Barrenwort is a bit shorter at six to nine inches, sports pink flowers (although there appears to be some variability in color), and seems to thrive in morning sun and a bit of afternoon shade. One of my favorite Epimedium is E.pinnatum var.colchicum. I first saw this Barrenwort at Swarthmore College in Philadelphia during a record-setting drought which apparently didn’t faze it at all. Using that knowledge, I have planted my own in a site that defies plants to grow – shaded by old Burning Bush, dry as a bone, and watered only when Mother Nature provides. The medium yellow flowers are larger and on a longer stem than other species. Another favorite is E.grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’ (Lilac Fairy). Large, lavender, long-spurred flowers on ten to fifteen inch stems wave above the foliage. As far as I know, this is the only purple Epimedium that is relatively available. Also unusual in this genus is E.’Orange Queen’, noted for its pale, orange-red flowers, a touch paler than those of E. x warleyense, as well as greater vigor.

I have planted Epimedium in several different sites and it combines well with other partial shade perennials such as Helleborus orientalis, Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, Mertensia virginica, Carex siderosticha ‘Variegata’, Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’, and Geranium macrorrhizum. Epimedium could also be interplanted with spring bulbs such as Narcissus ‘Tête-à-tête’ or ‘February Gold’ that will bloom beforehand or Hyacinthus campanulatus (Wood Hyacinth) that will bloom slightly later. Ferns with their contrasting, lacy fronds are also excellent textural partners as are the rounded, slightly lobed, colorful leaves of Heuchera cultivars. While Epimedium can be successfully propagated in early spring, they are best divided in late August, with the aim of promoting rapid re-growth of roots and shoots before the onset of winter. Many gardeners cut the late winter/very early spring foliage to the ground so that nothing detracts the eye from the beauty of the delicate spring flowers. While this practice may be ideal, I rarely find time to do so and the new flowers and foliage do show above the old foliage. I hope you find a space for one of these spring beauties. Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties

Some of the newer species and cultivars rightly deserve the common name of Fairy Wings and they are absolutely gorgeous. Whenever I see them in catalogs, I develop a severe case of plant lust but because they are still fairly rare and somewhat difficult to propagate, they are very expensive. My other problem is that I’ve run out of shade.

10 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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). Bobbie is a Past President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Bobbie’s new book, Garden Renovation: Transform Your Yard into the Garden of Your Dreams, was published in November 2017 by Timber Press.

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F I SCAL FI TN ESS

COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM Starting April 3rd, 2020, small businesses can apply for the nearly $350 billion in loans available through the economic rescue plan from Congress. The loan program, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, is intended to support businesses so they can ride out these tough economic times and, most importantly, assist with either keeping current workers or rehiring those who are laid off. It’s a sorely needed salve for all sorts of small establishments. Half of small businesses have less than 27 days’ worth of financial cushion, according to one report, and many have already suffered weeks of low, or no income. Following are some basics on how the program will work and what business owners can expect.

HOW MUCH CAN SMALL BUSINESSES GET?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including sole proprietorships and freelancers, as well as nonprofits are eligible. The application requires less information than a typical small business loan. A sample form put out by the SBA showed there were just two pages of questions on basic information, like payroll size and what the owner intends to use the money for.

They can get up to 2.5 times their total monthly payroll (maximum of $10 million). Importantly, as many businesses have already slashed jobs, companies will rely on payroll numbers from before the crisis. The Small Business Administration has set an interest rate of 1% on the loans, with repayment deferred for six months.

Notably, these loans do not require personal guarantees or collateral, which administration officials are hoping will make for a speedy approval process. The program is currently set to run through June 30.

Congress has appropriated $349 billion toward this program. That may not be enough to meet demand, but it is possible Congress will decide to put more funds toward this program.

Right now, around 1,800 banks are part of the SBA’s primary lending program. A senior administration official this week said thousands of additional financial institutions could join.

SOME BANKS WON’T BE READY IMMEDIATELY

continued on page 14

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The Growing Concern | April 2020 | 13

F I SCAL FI TN ESS

continued from page 12 As of April 2nd, JPMorgan Chase’s website said it will “most likely not be able to start accepting applications immediately.” Reuters also reported the same week that some major banks have been considering not participating in the program. That’s because they would be expected to hand out loans quickly — within days — which could open them up to legal risk. In addition, some banks initially said that they might not want to participate because of unattractive loan terms laid out by the SBA. The Independent Community Bankers of America sent a letter this week to SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin laying out its concerns, one of which was the low 0.5% interest rate initially set by the SBA, even though the act said interest rates could be as high as 4%.

CAN BUSINESSES REALLY GET MONEY DAY OF? Here’s what we do know: April 3rd is when the program opened. Administration officials said they’re hopeful that businesses will be able to apply for and get their money within the same day. Whether that is feasible will quickly become clear once things get rolling. One day is a much quicker timeline than for standard SBA loans, which usually take 5 to 10 days to process. “This is an entirely new program, and that’s something that both banks and customers will have to get used to,” said James Ballentine, executive vice president of congressional relations and political affairs at the American Bankers Association. “There will be some banks that will be ready to go, and there will be others that will still be learning how to do this...” He added that the process may be quicker for businesses with strong ties to their banks already. “Those customers that have relationships with their banks, the banks have their information on file already, so some of those loans will be easier to turn around,” he said. The fact that some businesses might be able to get loans more quickly and easily, by virtue of their existing relationships, has raised some concern.

14 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

FORGIVABLE LOANS, IF YOU KEEP EMPLOYEES A business’ loan could be fully forgiven, but only if a business meets certain criteria. First, to be forgiven, the money must be spent on payroll, rent, mortgage interest and utilities during the eight weeks after the loan is made. Any portion spent on anything else won’t be forgiven. In addition, the SBA has said that at least three-quarters of the forgiven portion must be used for payroll, which can include benefits in addition to wages. Many businesses may see their loans partially forgiven. The forgiven amount will be reduced if businesses cut their number of full-time workers, as well as if they cut their pay levels beyond a certain amount. If a business owner has already laid off workers, they can rehire employees and still get forgiveness, as long as they rehire those workers by June 30.

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH MONEY? The truth of the matter is, it’s not clear. There is a very real possibility that $349 billion won’t meet the demand. George Washington University Economics Professor Steven Hamilton walked NPR through some quick math, noting that 2.5 times the total payroll of all businesses with fewer than 500 workers is $2.76 trillion (compared to the $349 billion in this Paycheck Protection plan). While of course not all small businesses may apply for the loans, it certainly shows that there is a possibility that the pot of money will be quickly exhausted. “One of the things I’ve heard is this small business program is going to be so popular that we’re going to run out of our $350 billion,” Mnuchin told CNBC this week. “If that’s the case, I can assure you that will be top of the list for me to go back to Congress on. It has huge bipartisan support and we want to protect small business.” Source: Written by Danielle Kurtzleben at NPR Radio. https://www.npr.org/

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F OR SAFETY SAK E

GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS DURING COVID-19 The landscape industry, including lawn care, landscape maintenance, design/build, tree care, and irrigation and water management, takes employee and client safety and health very seriously, employing regular safety training and enforcing strong safety standards on the job, following Federal guidelines. Landscape Industry firms use regularly scheduled employee training and adherence to Federal, state, and local safety and health standards to mitigate hazardous exposures at landscape work sites. Landscape professionals maintain and protect the living environments around hospitals, government facilities, housing areas, parks, schools, and more, protecting public safety by: • performing regular maintenance to mow, prune, control weeds, and inspect for safety and security issues; • performing essential treatments to reduce the spread of dangerous and deadly diseases transmitted by pests like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas; • removing fallen trees and mitigating overhead hazards; • maintaining & removing plants to assist in fire abatement; • managing invasive species; and • keeping public & private pathways free from potential risks.

16 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

The nature of landscape work, which is performed outdoors, individually, or in small teams with little public contact poses a lower risk of spreading COVID-19. According to OSHA classifications, the landscape industry falls in the “lower risk” category of exposure (the lowest level on their occupational classification of risk for COVID-19). Landscape Industry companies are instructed to follow all Federal, State, and Local public health and safety directives. The following guidance for the Landscape Industry during COVID-19 have been developed according to OSHA and CDC guidelines and should be observed during the continued on page 18 COVID-19 Pandemic.

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FOR SAFETY SAKE continued from page 16

SANITATION AND SAFETY COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus is also believed to spread by people touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or possibly the eyes. Employers and workers should follow these general practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help prevent exposure to coronavirus: • Require employees to wash hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds. If soap and running water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. • Implement social distancing (staying at least 6’ feet apart). • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Consider conducting a mandatory temperature check prior to beginning work in the morning; any employee with a temperature over 100.4 F is required to return home. • Encourage employees to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 if they suspect possible exposure. • Identify and isolate potentially infectious individuals is a critical step in protecting workers, customers, and others at a worksite. • Encourage respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Institute and enforce strict sanitation standards. Clean and disinfect all work environments and personal protective equipment daily, including machine handles, tools, safety glasses, safety vests, gloves, and soles of boots. When choosing cleaning chemicals, employers should consult information on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectants with claims against emerging viral pathogens. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use of all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, PPE). Where possible, initiate engineering controls to isolate employees from work-related hazards. In workplaces where they are appropriate, these types of controls reduce exposure to hazards without relying on worker behavior and can be the most cost-effective solution to implement. Engineering controls for SARS-CoV-2 include: installing high-efficiency air filters and increasing ventilation rates in the work environment. Install physical barriers, such as clear plastic and sneeze guards where appropriate. continued on page 20

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOL

Being designated as a company allowed to perform work essential to the health and safety of the public should be viewed as a privilege and is not to be taken lightly, Here are some additional safety protocols that your company can take during the COVID-19 pandemic. For a full list of suggested protocols, please visit https://www.ohiolandscapers.org/covid19response.html. • Allow employees who are uncomfortable working to stay home. • Communicate and reinforce all COVID-19 safety protocols daily, via text and email. • Train designated personnel to answer safety questions from the public clearly and concisely. We recommend written safety rules to be carried. • In instances where employees will be on one job site all day long, encourage meeting on-site, rather than at the shop. • In instances where employees must report to the shop, stagger crew start times to minimize proximity issues. • Businesses should operate with the least amount of employees necessary on any site. • All employees should have their temperatures logged at the beginning and end of the workday. • If at all possible, limit crews to one person per truck.

18 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

• In instances where two employees must travel together, pair employees together indefinitely. Assign them one truck that is not to be shared. Each vehicle should be sanitized at days end. If one employee becomes ill, both should be treated as if they are contagious. • Enforce sanitation of all common areas including trucks, storage rooms, offices, restrooms, etc. • Wear proper PPE at all times. Store PPE in clear plastic bags, sanitizing PPE at the end of every day. DO NOT, for any reason, share PPE. • Minimize the use of shared equipment, making sure to properly and fully sanitize all equipment after each use. • Always maintain proper social distancing (6 feet), unless necessary. In the event, employees must work close to one another, for heavy lifting, etc., wear a face mask and gloves. Once separated, immediately wash/ sanitize hands.

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F OR SAFETY SAKE

continued from page 18

EMPLOYEE PROTOCOLS

CREW AND FIELD STAFF

Support Staff and Office Personnel Companies should establish internal policies and practices, including teleworking or flexible work hours (staggered shifts), that reduce the number of employees at a facility at one time. Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible.

Conduct safety training & staff meetings via video teleconferencing and discontinue group meetings and in-person trainings. Field crews must understand and be sensitive to the public’s concern about COVID-19 transmission. Provide field staff with talking points to share with the public about their safety protocols and the essential nature of their work.

All employees who are not required to be on customer sites performing landscape or those employees assigned to the critical and continued operation of the business entity should be considered for working remotely.”

Field teams should include the least number of employees that can safely carry out work at a site, and crew members should drive separately to the site whenever possible. Only the driver should be allowed to touch the controls anywhere in the vehicle. Gloves should be worn by employees when pumping gas.

Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies. Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Relax policies that require notes from physicians.

CLIENT PROTOCOLS

Ensure that the company has the information technology and infrastructure needed to support multiple employees who may be able to work from home, and cross-train employees to perform other tasks to prepare for increased sick leave.

Contact with clients should be executed via email, phone calls, video teleconference, when possible, and if personal contact is required, then maintain social distancing of 6’ when on the property with the client or their customers or the general public. If in-person contact is required, then maintain social distancing of 6 feet at the client’s or customer’s property, or when communicating with the general public.” Do not leave behind door hangers or other receipts.

There should not be more than 10 employees on-site, and when employees are on site 6 feet social distancing should be strictly enforced. The offices should remain closed to the general public while this policy is in effect. Consider increasing janitorial services to assist in continuously disinfecting practices.

Communicate with clients about the current status of allowable work in your state or locality. Explain the essential nature of landscape services and detail any operational changes due to COVID-19. Provide clients 24-hour notification via phone or email that you will be servicing their property.

Ensure that any training sessions and safety briefings are in a language that crew members can understand.

Source: White paper published by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). https://blog.landscapeprofessionals.org/

20 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

JIM FUNAI, LIC Cuyahoga Community College The cones of Tsuga caroliniana: Carolina Hemlock

SHELLEY FUNAI, LIC Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens

TSUGA CAROLINIANA CAROLINA HEMLOCK

Many of you may be looking at this plant’s name and thinking we’ve lost our minds and mixed up Carolina with Canada. Rest assured, we have not. We are excited to share a cousin of the long trusted Canadian Hemlock known as the Carolina Hemlock. There are several similarities between these two trees but enough differences to make the Carolina Hemlock worth your consideration for the landscape. Tsuga canadensis has been known to industry since the mid 1730’s and served as a key tree-species in the founding of our country. Tsuga caroliniana wasn’t described until much later, in 1881, by George Engelmann, a famous plant explorer who emigrated from Germany, who discovered and described plants across North America. The reason T. caroliniana was so far behind in discovery is because the natural range for it is significantly less than that of T. canadensis. Carolina Hemlock was native to the Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, with small pockets in the Northwest corner of South Carolina, and spotted up through the mountains of

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western Virginia, with likely a few pockets in West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia. In its native setting, this tree can be found growing happily along gravely slopes in well-drained soil, but a crucial aspect of these soils is they do not dry out completely. Rain fall is usually high where T. caroliniana does well (>35 inches per year) and the climate is on the cooler, yet humid side. Most often this tree is found in mixed stands of hardwood deciduous trees, potentially mixed with Canadian Hemlock in some stands.

In the landscape, expect a tree of close to similar size and shape as the Canadian Hemlock, perhaps a bit smaller and slower growing – up to around 45 feet tall by 25 feet wide. T. caroliniana’s texture is one of the things that set this tree apart. While Canadian Hemlocks tend to have a soft texture, with leaves splayed out more flat along the stems and long arching new growth tips to the branch, Carolina holds slightly shorter leaves, radiating out all around the stem. This causes them to look as if they would have a pokier feel. Once you grab the branch though you’ll notice it is just as soft as the other, the pokiness is just a look. Cones on Carolina are slightly larger, though just as cute as the cones on Canadian and are just as prolific of a seed thrower. In truth, what got us thinking about this tree was a recent hike at the Ledges Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. If you Google the Ledges Trail, the first picture on Google maps shows a Carolina Hemlock standing proud among the rocky cliffs overlooking the valley. The trail is littered with these tree. We’d highly recommend this hike to everyone reading this article, both for the great appreciation you’ll gain for Carolina hemlock and for the pure beauty this area holds in our world. We all have a desire to install plants that will thrive for our clients yet many companies struggle to pull it off. Think of how many warranty plants you replaced last year. Not too fun is it? The key to reducing these insane expenses is two key actions you must take. The first, enforce industry best practices in planting techniques. The little bit of extra time to plant something correctly pays dividends in reduced warranty issues and client satisfaction. The second, identifying the conditions in which you will be asking this plant to live. Take Carolina Hemlock for example. At the Ledges, it has no problem growing and thriving, so we know it CAN grow in the greater Northeast Ohio region. BUT, where is it growing? Here we find a very rocky soil that has good organic material mixed in. It may be somewhat exposed, but it has mostly good shade around the root system to prevent overheating of the roots. Rainfall is high (average 41 inches per year) and summers are not too hot, while remaining rather humid. Now, consider what is NOT where these trees grow. Clay. These soils are not heavy wet clays. They are very well drained. There are trees in full sun, some sun/shade, and full shade, they don’t care so long as that soil is just what they need.

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PL ANT OF TH E M ON TH

continued from page 23 Think of this, here is an evergreen that can serve as a great screen in full shade. That is, for all intents and purposes, a useful plant. But if you ask it to live under those red maples in the low, wet, clay spots so common around here, then it will suffer and die. Be mindful of the soil conditions and select the right plants for each location. One place you may find as a suitable site for Carolina Hemlock is on a slope near a house that is mostly subsoil left after excavation and grading of the site. If you have a subsoil that is more on the shale side, throw some leaf compost in and establish some Carolina Hemlocks there. Provide some shrubbery around their base to keep the root system cool and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll likely find a new favorite evergreen!

Jim Funai, PhD. is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in horticulture degree program. He has a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai 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.

24 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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F EATURE ARTI CLE

6 Ways to Keep Your Team Productive Working From Home There’s no doubt coronavirus (COVID-19) has drastically changed the business landscape so far in 2020, with more businesses than ever encouraging or requiring employees to work from home. While many employees already do some work remotely, many workers and managers are still trying to adjust to this paradigm shift. Working from home means more distractions, fewer ways to interact naturally with fellow employees, and more social isolation — all of which can lead to less productivity. To overcome these challenges, employers should explore new ways to manage and collaborate with employees and enable more ways for employees to connect with each other. Here are six ways you can keep your team productive while they are working from home or in the field.

PROPER TECH AND PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS First and foremost, one of the most important ways to help

26 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

teams succeed while working remotely is to get them tools to help them stay connected and productive. These include project management tracking apps such as Asana and Airtable, chat/messaging apps such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, and video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Google Hangouts. Equipping teams with these new technologies allows managers and employees all stay on the same page no matter where they are working from, whether it’s from home or waiting in a long line at the grocery store. These new apps might also help keep your team more productive and connected after COVID-19 fears lessen and people go back to work.

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“Set virtual office hours and be present on instant messaging apps throughout the day to help employees.” ESTABLISH DAILY CHECK-INS

ENCOURAGE DEDICATED WORKSPACES

With managers no longer getting daily face time with employees and employees not being able to chat around the proverbial water cooler, creating a daily check-in routine is an important way to set priorities and foster connections. A morning check-in via video chat, phone call or instant message can create a sense of normalcy. These check-ins can be one-on-one or held among small groups.

Many regular office workers have never needed dedicated workspace in their homes, but if they are now regularly working from home, managers should encourage the creation of home offices that are separate from communal space. In some cases, companies have even offered large stipends to help workers create appropriate, productive spaces for remote work.

The tech and productivity tools mentioned above can be vital for revamping regular check-ins. For example, if you previously held a daily all-hands meeting in-person, you may want to use a video conferencing app to have a virtual version of the same meeting each morning. Revamped meetings that adapt specifically to remote workers can help you maintain productivity. Set virtual office hours and be present on instant messaging apps throughout the day to help employees.

Dedicated workspaces can help free employees from the normal distractions from home life. With many parents needing to be at home with their children due to school closures, an office away from family can allow you to maintain focus and stay on task. Even if this office is a temporary makeshift space — such as a guest room, basement, attic or walk-in closet — this can help them mentally separate work continued on page 28 from home. The Growing Concern | April 2020 | 27

FEATURE ARTI CLE

continued from page 27

PROVIDE EMOTIONAL & STEADY SUPPORT

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

As working from home can contribute to loneliness and negative emotions, employers should do what they can to provide emotional support to employees. Leaders should set the tone for their virtual offices with a calm and upbeat presence, which helps create a level-headed workplace where people can still get things done.

While it may not sound important to be dressed for business while working from home, psychologically it does help many workers to not be wearing sweatpants and pajamas while trying to be productive. Dressing up for yourself can also mentally help you feel better, thus making it easier to focus on checking important tasks off your list. Dressing appropriately also allows employees to feel more comfortable hopping on an impromptu video call with clients or coworkers.

In a fully remote work setup, managers should also be more available than usual for check-ins and other questions that may come up given the unfamiliar circumstances. Set virtual office hours and be present on instant messaging apps throughout the day to help employees. Leaders should additionally encourage self-care among their employees, who mentally are trying to adapt to remote work, the stress of new environments and the stress of daily updates around COVID-19. Managers should advocate for Remote employees to exercise, get quality sleep, take showers, and continue on with lives as normally as they can.

NON-WORK INTERACTIONS & TEAM BUILDING One last thing that may not be obvious to managers is the importance of facilitating non-work interactions among remote workers. Creating time and space for workers to talk about news, hobbies, and other topics — just as they would have done in the office — helps them relieve stress and feel connected. One way to do this is to leave a few minutes before and after video conferences open for people to catch up. Another is to host a weekly virtual happy hour, or a virtual team-building exercise to build bridges between employees.

This article was written by Sean Ludwig, Contributing Editor, and appeared on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s website in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. There are numerous resources posted daily in this regard, which you can find at https://www.uschamber.com/co/

28 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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D I RECTI ON S

SANDY MUNLEY

#INTHISTOGETHER We are certainly living through unprecedented times. Over the last month, you have been forced to make some incredibly difficult decisions on both and a professional and personal basis. While we all navigate through these uncharted waters, I have seen some good things happening despite the COVID-19 situation. I have seen companies in our industry and others come up with very creative ways to keep their business going. I have seen many online educational opportunities being offered to share ideas and best practices to combat the financial and communication issues that have been the result of the virus. Heck, we have even seen our legislators in DC work quickly to pass the CARE Act to provide some financial assistance for small business. And I am really happy to say that we have seen new members join the OLA, increased interaction on our Facebook page, as well as more phone calls and emails. During these times, we will not all agree with the decisions made by others, but let’s not use this as a time to divide and criticize. Let’s use this as a time to come together and help each other get through this. I am proud that our association members have always done this exact thing so very well, and I am calling on all of you to continue in the tradition our forefathers who created this great association.

30 | Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

Executive Director The Ohio Landscape Association

If you are out there working, please be sure to protect yourself, your employees, and the public by following the recommended safety protocols. Public perception is important, too. You have worked long and hard gaining respect in the communities you work. Don’t give people a reason to suspect you aren’t taking the situation seriously. We are sad that we had to cancel or postpone several events, but we know it is for a good reason. We are looking for opportunities for you to participate in online learning, especially as it relates to coping with the difficulties posed by COVID-19. These tend to come up quickly, with little advance notice, so please forgive us if we announce an opportunity the same day it is happening. If recordings of these events become available, we will post links on our website. Check the COVID-19 page to see the latest information. We are also about to produce some of our own live on-line events – so stay tuned! Rick and I are working from home, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t available to you. Please, DO NOT HESITATE to reach out. We are doing our best to keep on top of what is happening. We would love to hear from you if you have ideas, questions or concerns. Above all, I am hoping and praying that you, your family and your team members stay safe and healthy! Together, we can and will get through this.

O L A’s NEW MEMB ER S

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

REGULAR MEMBERS Alexis Property Management P.O. Box 31572 Independence, OH 44131 216.403.4159 Nick Hoegler

Pavlin’s Yard Maintenance Inc. 12555 York Delta Dr. North Royalton, OH 44133 440.725.9653 Ted Pavlin

BruZiv Landscaping 1170 Tallmage Road Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 330.920.1166 Eli Mongold

Petit Lawn Maintenance 11759 Ivy Ridge Drive North Royalton, OH 44133 440.237.5800 Hunter Petit

Cleary Brothers Landscaping 5816 Sylmar Drive Broadview Heights, OH 44147 216.538.7492 Robert Cleary

Ward’s Lawn Care & Landscape Company 1539 East 367 St., Unit D Eastlake, OH 44095 440.942.1912 George D. Ward

C & J Property Maintenance 9289 Basswood Drive Olmsted Falls, OH 44138 440.799.3940 Chris Polcar Five Seasons Landscape Mgmt. 9886 Mink St., SW (Rear) Reynoldsburg, OH 43065 740.964.2915 William Leidecker/Steve Woods Imperial Landscape & Construction 8903 Dan Dr. North Royalton, OH 44133 440.342.1897 Ryan Knotek Kaufman Landscaping Inc. 8568 Westfield Park Drive Olmsted Falls, OH 44138 440.235.7381 John Kaufman Ribelli’s Land Management 10204 Hobart Road. Kirtland, OH 44094 440.478.1426 Perry Ribelli

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Cub Cadet Pro / MTD Products 3540 Abington Ct. Brunswick, OH 44212 330.225.2600 Brian Docherty Pioneer ‘s Pride 5894 Swamp St. NE Hartville, OH 44632 330.312.0084 Todd Schlabach Power Equipment Distributors 69250 Burke Drive Richmond, MI 48062 800.624.2932 Matthew Miller Sintsirmas & Mueller Co., LPA 2226 Enterprise Pkwy. Twinsburg, OH 44087 330.405.4736 George Sintsirmas

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