Mnla pgn winter 13 issuu

pro grow news Winter 2013

www.mnla.com

Climate Change

and New England’s Urban Forests

Plant for Success:

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

February 5-7, 2014

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pro grow news winter 2013

contents features 10 Climate Change and

Implications for Massachusetts Horticulture Thought from Dr. Bethany Bradley, Department of Environmental Conservation

12 Climate Change and

New England’s Urban Forests

By Rick Harper A meaningful study from UMASS

16 Are Smartphones Out smarting Us?

By Vickie Milazzo Good thoughts for everyone in business

18 Improve Operation Efficiencies

By John Allin Some valuable tips to operate your snow business

24 For Safety’s Sake

departments 5 President’s Message

OSHA presentents new guideline

6 New England Grows!

8 History Committee 28 Certifiable MCH 29 MNLA Product Update 29 Ad Index 30 Plant for Success

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ On the cover— A colorful crop of poinsettias.

Image courtesy of Weston Nurseries, Inc.

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pro grow news winter 2013

PRESIDENT Mary Jesch Cornucopia Gardeners (508) 879-1822 VICE PRESIDENT Tim Lomasney One Source Horticulture (978) 470-1934 TREASURER Robin Pydynkowski Cape Ann Tree Service (978) 768-7700 SECRETARY Jim Stucchi, MCH Ahronian Landscape and Design, Inc. (508) 429-3844 PAST PRESIDENT Jim Connolly, MCH Northeast Nursery EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Rena M. Sumner Tel: (413) 369-4731 Fax: (413) 369-4962

DIRECTORS Tina Bemis, MCH Bemis Farms Nursery Tim Hay, MCH Bigelow Nurseries, Inc. Karen Howard, MCH Howard Garden Designs, Inc. Peter Mezitt Weston Nurseries, Inc. Walter Swift, MCH Swift’s Creative Landscape, Inc. Darren Young Cavicchio Greenhouses, Inc.

EDUCATION & RESEARCH COMMITTEE Michelle Harvey, MCH Lakeview Nurseries Tel: (978) 342-3770 FINANCIAL COMMITTEE (FINCOM) Steve Corrigan, MCH — Chair Mountain View Landscapes & Lawncare, Inc. Tel: (413) 536-7555 Government Relations COMMITTEE Chris O’Brien, MCH — Chair Howard Garden Designs, Inc. Tel: (617) 244-7269

HISTORY COMMITTEE Philip Boucher, MCH — Chair Tranquil Lake Nursery Tel: (508) 252-4002 Skott Rebello, MCH — Vice Chair Harborside P.S. Tel: (508) 994-9208 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Rene Fontaine, MCH — Chair New England Botanicals Tel: (508) 962-1064 MASSACHUSETTS CERTIFIED HORTICULTURIST BOARD (MCH) Cheryl Salatino, MCH — Chair Dancing Shadows Garden Designs Tel: (908) 460-2180 Hope Sterling, MCH — Vice Chair Sylvan Nursery, Inc. Tel: (508) 636-4573 PRODUCTS COMMITTEE Mark Ahronian, MCH — Chair Ahronian Landscaping & Design, Inc. Tel: (508) 429-3844

Walter Swift, MCH — Vice Chair Swift’s Creative Landscape, Inc. Tel: (508) 478-3768 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PAST-PRESIDENT Mary Hallene, MCH Sylvan Nursery, Inc. Tel: (508) 636-4573 NEW ENGLAND GROWS The Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc. is proud to be a founding partner of New England Grows.

DIRECTOR Michelle Harvey, MCH Lakeview Nurseries Tel: (978) 342-3770

EDUCATION COMMITTEE Katherine Bergmann Weston Nurseries Tel: (508) 533-3831 Jim Stucchi, MCH Ahronian Landscape & Design, Inc. Tel: (508) 429-3844

pro grow news ProGrowNews is published bi-monthly by the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA), P.O. Box 387, Conway, MA 01341, tel. (413) 369-4731. Articles do not necessarily reflect the view or position of MNLA. Editorial coverage or permission to advertise does not constitute endorsement of the company covered or of an advertiser’s products or services, nor does ProGrowNews make any claims or guarantees as to the accuracy or validity of the advertiser’s offer. (c) 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in print or electronically without the express written permission of the MNLA.

Published by the Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association P.O. Box 387 Conway, MA 01341 mnlaoffice@aol.com www.mnla.com www.ProGrowNews.org www.mnlafoundation.org

president’s message

The Art of Change MNLA begins its race for relevance

By Mary Jesch

A

t our annual meeting in February 2013, I told you that this would be a magical year. Well, I’m not sure about magical, but it certainly has been a busy year.

Our Board of Directors has begun to implement some of the changes that were inspired by our reading of the book Race for Relevance. We have been examining how we function as a board; we have tried to make our meetings more productive; and we are tackling some complex decisions and issues that we think will benefit every member of MNLA. Some of the issues we have been discussing are: • A completely redesigned website, featuring state-of-the-art features, and a whole new look; • Renewed and rededicated committees, here to put themselves at your service; • A re-focusing on the basics of who we are and why we’re here, including revisions of our strategic plan and by-laws.

Arising out of several meetings of the committee chairs and vice chairs, a technology task force was created to spearhead the development of a new website for our Association. Although the new website will not be finalized until early in 2014, we have purchased association management software which will provide MNLA with a robust and state-of-the-art website. This software contains not only impressive database management capabilities, but also areas for each community within MNLA to have room for forums, blogs and networking. We think you will be very impressed with the results!

Another exciting event that has happened this year is the reenergizing of all of our committees. The chairs and members of every committee have found new purpose and direction in their service of our Association. Their enthusiasm and dedication is inspiring to me, and I am very grateful to have them as collaborators in the leadership of MNLA. During this past November they all attended a leadership forum during which every committee held a meeting to discuss their accomplishments during 2013 and their plans for 2014. I can promise you that you will see a greater participation of the committees at every MNLA event in the coming year.

In addition, the Board is revisiting MNLA’s strategic plan — this will probably take us most of the coming year, but we are looking forward to the clarity which will result from this important work. Our beginning point in the development of an updated strategic plan is our mission statement: to be a resource for success for our members. This is the overriding principle that governs how we function and why we exist. The exercise of examining all of our actions in light of this mission statement will help us to focus on the path we will follow into the future.

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The board has also been reviewing our Association bylaws, which has resulted in the need for some changes to be voted on at our Annual Meeting at New England Grows in February 2014.

We hope that many of you can join us for that luncheon meeting on Thursday, February 6th.

Because MNLA is committed to serving multiple segments within our industry, we are striving to ensure that our educational, marketing and legislative outreach to members is well-balanced. We realize that we must serve members of every type in order to be a resource for each member’s success. We would value your feedback in this regard — your ideas about education, certification and our product line are all necessary in order for us to better serve you. We need your input about how to improve the benefits you receive from membership in MNLA, as well as your concerns about your place in the Massachusetts political arena. We would love you to share with us your remembrances about our Association’s past, as well as your hopes for our future.

There are so many things that need to happen in order for an association to achieve excellence. Following recommendations listed in a book about relevance can only provide us an outline of some desirable outcomes. In order for MNLA to remain relevant going forward, we need the participation of all our members.

Please join the MNLA leadership and me in striving for excellence for our Association. Consider joining a committee; volunteer at an event; make a little magic yourself. We need each and every one of you!

Make sure to mark your calendars for New England Grows February 5 through February 7, 2014 at the Boston Convention and Expo Center. It will be full of new opportunities and innovations. We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

MNLA President Mary Jesch co-owns Cornucopia Gardens with her husband, Francis.

Join Us For the...

104th MNLA Annual Meeting & Luncheon Thursday, February 6, 2014 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Boston, MA Understand the value of MNLA membership Find new ways to be engaged Be a part of the industry leadership

Go to MNLA.com to register Sponsorship opportunities are available— Contact Rena Sumner for details

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New England Grows

New England Grows!

Loaded with exciting NEW features for 2014!

February 5-7, 2014 Wednesday • Thursday • Friday Boston Convention & Exhibitor Center

New England Grows!, the Northeast’s premier exposition and conference for the commercial horticulture industry, will be held Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2014, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

Exposition The New England Grows exposition will be jam-packed with the hottest new plants, equipment, technology, and more. Check out the New England Grows website for a complete list of the hundreds of leading suppliers ready to do business and get ready for savings! There will be plenty of deals to be made on the tradeshow floor.

What’s New & Different This Year?

Here are some of the new, high-energy features in the works for Grows 2014: • Live Entertainment • Technology Hub/App Bar • Hands-on Demonstrations/Sprint Sessions • Dining with the Speakers • Recharging Station (mind, body & mobile devices) • Educational Pods including “Save the Pollinators” • Pre-conference Interlocking Concrete Pavers Institute

(ICPI) Certification Program • “Ask Extension” kiosk • Idea Swap Roundtables at Lunch • Table Tennis Courts • Brew Garden • Socializing “After Grows” at Industry-Specific

Meeting Spots

Seminars: Always on the lookout for emerging trends and industry thought-leaders, New England Grows has selected an outstanding group of more than 30 industry experts including: • Jane Knight, Landscape Architect for the Eden Project in Cornwall, England. Eden is an extraordinary global garden featuring the largest rainforest in captivity as well as a Mediterranean landscape both growing within huge, geodesic domes. The Eden Project’s sole mission is to “inspire people to care about the natural world.” Jane does that and much more by sharing her experiences and expertise with others around the globe.

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• Glyn Jones is the garden and countryside manager at Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire, U.K., one of the most influential English gardens of the early 20th century.

His mission is to “future-proof” the iconic garden against modern threats such as climate change, while simultaneously researching and sharing as much as possible about the garden’s enigmatic genius creator, American Lawrence Johnston.

• Nalini Nadkarni has been called “the queen of forest canopy research,” a field that relates directly to three of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: the maintenance of biodiversity, the stability of world climate, and the sustainability of forests. Nadkarni presents a rich tapestry of personal stories celebrating the profound connections we have with trees and the powerful lessons they hold for us.

Other outstanding presenters and seminars include: Rick Bartel on Naturalistic Water Feature Design; John Hughes on Systems for Success: Achieving Efficiency & Profitability in your Landscape Business; Mark Bradley on Taking the Guesswork Out of Running a Successful Landscape Company; Bill Cullina on New England Landscape Dynamics; and David Culp on The Layered Garden.

Please visit the education page at NewEnglandGrows.org for a full program listing.

Garden Center Success An energizing daylong seminar aimed directly at today’s independent garden center – is back by popular demand on Wednesday, February 5. Along with a variety of industry speakers, Alison Kenney Paul, Vice Chairman and U.S. Retail and Distribution Leader at Deloitte, will present “The Next Evolution: Store 3.0”– a close look at how traditional brick-and-mortar garden centers can stay relevant in an ever-changing retail space. Anna Ball, CEO of Ball Horticultural Company, will translate macrotrends and analyze their impact on garden centers in her “Retail Renaissance” presentation. www.mnla.com

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CEU Credits Boston Convention & Exhibition Center 415 Summer Street • Boston, MA

New England Grows is one-stop shopping for your CEU credits. You can earn valuable credits for MCH, NOFA, Pesticide Recertification, and more at the conference. Simply enter your certification license numbers when registering for the show, and have your badge scanned at each session you attend. After the show, you will be able to print out a Continuing Education Certificate of Attendance.

SCHEDULE— SEMINARS

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Registration for New England Grows

EXPOSITION

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 5

is now open!

Enjoy special savings when you register by January 15 – just $49 for all three days. The early registration price drops to just $45 per person when four or more people from the same company register together by the discount deadline. Affordable registration fees, combined with exclusive deals on the tradeshow floor, make New England Grows the best place to do business this winter.

104th MNLA Annual Meeting & Luncheon Thursday, February 6, 2014 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Boston, MA • Understand the value of MNLA membership

• Find new ways to be engaged • Be a part of the industry leadership

Go to MNLA.com to register Sponsorship opportunities are available—

Stay Connected For the latest program and registration information, visit NewEnglandGrows.org and be sure to join New England Grows’ growing community on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.

NewEnglandGrows.org.

New England Grows! is an educational partnership between the New England Nursery Association, Massachusetts Arborists Association, Massachusetts Association of Landscape Professionals, and Massachusetts Nursery & Landscape Association. Its network includes more than 40 allied green industry organizations.

Thursday, February 6 SEMINARS

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

EXPOSITION

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday, February 7 SEMINARS

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

EXPOSITION 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Refer an exhibitor and earn two free passes to New England Grows!

Do you have a favorite vendor who does not currently exhibit at New England Grows, but should? If you provide us with their information and they decide to exhibit, you’ll receive two complimentary registration passes to the show. It’s easy.

All you have to do is:

1 Contact your favorite vendor and let them know how

important you feel exhibiting at New England Grows is and the many ways it will benefit their business. With 13,000 green industry participants, Grows is the most efficient way to promote equipment, products and services.

2

Pass your favorite vendor information on to Exhibit Sales and Marketing Associate Lori Kane at (508) 653-3009 or at lkane@NewEnglandGrows.org. Lori will take it from there!

3 If, as a result of your introduction, your favorite vendor

signs on as an exhibitor at New England Grows, you will receive two complimentary passes – that’s a $100+ value!

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History Committee

Memoirs — Time to Get Real

By Phil Boucher, MCH

H

ow do you want to be remembered? Personal memoirs are not something any of us give much time or thought to. Who has the time to collect the facts and experiences of a lifetime into any form that can easily be passed on to others? But the question begs, “How do you want to be remembered?” What others might think about you can be enhanced by what they know about you. Have you provided enough information for your peers to have those positive thoughts you may wish to see?

So why do I bring up the subject of ‘memoirs’? Because the History Committee needs your help to accelerate the process of this larger history project. By taking a shortcut, we want and need you to be involved in the very beginning of your own well-drawn narrative. After all, my next question would be “Do you want others in the future reading a simple biography or an autobiography? With your first steps, you will begin to tell parts of your own story as narrator and chief editor. It is to your advantage to provide the initial information so that it will not just be in the hands of others doing research or fact checking.

Your commentary will have your thoughts and topics of your time in your own words. This project and work are important but it is now time for the “village” to come together to make this work.

The committee has produced forms to assist you in giving us pertinent information for archival purposes. The forms are like a resume in which you give us personal information about education, work experience and the ways which you have served our association. In addition, in particular for Past Presidents, there is a fast track approach to your association work called, “3, 2, and 1”. Here you list the three most important issues during your time of service, then the two accomplishments that occurred during your time on committee or higher. Finally, what one goal or thing would you like to see changed or improved as it

relates to the present MNLA. When this is completed, you could be done or you could expand the narrative a little or ask to have an interview.

To help us further, we have prepared packets for those interested in a self, styled interview or might even be willing to interview others, but could use a little help or encouragement.

The envelope would contain the same basic information requests, the fast track of “3, 2, and 1” forms as well as two sheets of questions that would assist you in an interview process. You pick the person, arrange the time and after conducting the work, you send us the results. Presently, the forms will be available by fax or mail from the MNLA office, at the MNLA booth at New England Grows or by e-mailing me at pkbouch@comcast.net. It sounds easy and it is. It is however time to get real about this.

Then imagine the curatorial excitement of the history committee when we receive new biographical material about our members. It will only take that one simple step to fill out the forms or ask us for assistance. Perhaps consider it as a New Year’s resolution to take these forms to reflect back as you look forward.

One true thing about our past is that you and your commitment to the association matters. In the spirit of this new process, we ask that you invest some time and help us in anyway you can.

Asking for help or consideration is sometimes hard enough.

Having an important, sincere request ignored is even tougher.

We hope that you see the value in the prospects of this new approach and how vital the element of passing time may be. So please, grab a pen, paper or these new forms, then duck under the yellow caution Phil Boucher, MCH, of Tranquil Lake Nursery chairs MNLA’s history committee.

Membership Committee

Thank You... On August 20th, 2013, I lost

a dear friend and co-worker, Ryan Hopkins, to a terrible work-related accident. Ryan and I graduated from Norfolk County Agricultural High School in 2005 and during our summer internship; Ryan began working for my father at Ahronian Landscaping and Design. He would work his way up the ranks for the next ten years to eventually become a foreman and key member of the company. He had a very bright future ahead of him.

During tragedies such as this one, you lean on friends and family to continue on. Many MNLA members were there for us every step of the way. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the MNLA members who reached out to both Ahronian

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Landscaping and Design and Ryan’s family during this extremely difficult time. The support we received from MNLA members was truly amazing. Many members came to both the wake and funeral to pay their respects. There was a moment of silence at MCH Day and an article in Pro Grow News to inform people of the accident. To all of those who extended their thoughts and prayers: thank you. I am very proud to be among you as a member of such a wonderful organization.

There are many benefits to being a member of MNLA, but there is no way to measure the value of the relationships you gain by being a part of this community. I will never forget the support I received from my fellow members and I look forward to continuing to build these friendships in the future.

David Ahronian www.mnla.com

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Summer Conference Report

Climate Change and Implications for Massachusetts Horticulture

by Tina Smith, UMASS

I

had the pleasure of moderating keynote speaker, Dr. Bethany Bradley, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts at Summer Conference 2013, on July 25 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden. Here are some highlights from her presentation, “Climate Change and Implications for Massachusetts Horticulture.�

Using examples of studies, Dr. Bradley showed how climate change will affect horticulture industries in many ways ranging from the types of species likely to thrive to new threats from weeds and pests to shifts in the growing cycle. Choices made by horticulture industries today (growers, garden retailers, landscapers and designers) have far reaching implications for the long-term health of both managed landscapes and native

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ecosystems. Our industries impact what our state will look like in the future.

Dr. Bradley talked about how climate is changing and the general impacts of rising temperature on plants and crop. Studies show that temperatures are rising, but a greater concern is more frequent extremes: heat, drought, floods. She talked about rising temperatures and plant range shifts and longer growing season and also, plant response to rising CO2. She gave some examples of impacts of higher temperatures. Heat waves cause drought and summer droughts reduce the intensity of fall foliage colors.

Warmer winter temperatures will impact chilling requirements of current varieties of fruit, resulting less fruiting. Apples, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries and grapes are examples of www.mnla.com

pro|grow|news

Calendar of Industry Events plants with winter chilling requirement (days below 45F) to set fruit.

More pests will survive in warmer temperatures which will result in an increased need for pesticides. While pests will thrive, species of plants that don’t thrive in heat are currently responding poorly to climate change, based on surveys conducted on 429 species of plants in Concord, MA 1888-1902 and again 2003-2007. Our choice of garden species that are being sold and planted will impact native ecosystems in the future. Those choices also extend to invasive species. Live plant imports are the primary pathway for forest insect and pathogen invasion in the U.S. An estimated 12% of international imports are contaminated by non-native insects and also invasive plant contaminants. Invasive plant concerns for Massachusetts include Mile-a-minute vine which was introduced to Pennsylvania via contaminated shipment of rhododendron from Oregon. It appears to be moving northward and recently arrived in Massachusetts. The nursery trade is a facilitator of plant dispersal for both native and invasive species.

Studies have shown that spring is coming earlier and the growing season is getting longer. What about CO2? Plants do better with higher CO2. Higher CO2 makes plants less prone to drought stress because stomata do not need to open as long (less water loss). Some impacts of temperature and drought extremes might be offset by higher CO2. However, invasive plants also grow better. All comparative studies of invasive and native plants, with rising CO2, show that invasive plants grow better – they are bigger and more difficult to kill. For example, higher CO2 conditions make poison ivy grow faster and become more allergenic. Higher CO2 conditions also make crabgrass more competitive than lawn grass. While all plants do better with higher CO2, invasives are hardier especially in competition with non-invasives.

To summarize, temperatures are rising, but a greater concern is more frequent extremes: heat, drought and floods. While climate change will create both winners and losers, look to states just south of Massachusetts for ideas and solutions. Finally, our choices as green industry professional in garden species impact surrounding ecosystems and have long term implications for both managed landscapes and native ecosystems.

Tina Smith. Extension Specialist. UMass Extension Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association, Inc. P.O. Box 387 Conway, MA 01341 413-369-4731 Phone

New England Grows!

Wednesday, February 5 – 7, 2014 Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Early registration begins in November! www. newenglandgrows.org

2 MCH Credits Garden Center Success at NE Grows!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014 2 MCH Credits MNLA Annual Meeting & Luncheon at NE Grows!

Thursday, February 6, 2014 Information online now at 2 MCH Credits MCH Exam at NE Grows!

Friday, February 7, 2014

UMass Winter School for Turf Managers January – February, 2014 This dynamic program is especially suited for experienced professionals associated with the management of golf courses, athletic fields, parks, municipal and private grounds, fine lawns, and landscapes. academicprograms@ contined.umass.edu or 413-545-5202.

Full program 4 MCH Credits MNLA Grow With A Pro Educational Series March 19, 2014 - Twilight Meeting The Science of Bark Mulch

Summer Conference & Trade Show July 24, 2014: MNLA/MFGA Summer Conference and Trade Show at Savage Farms, Deerfield, MA

Go to www.mnla.com for the most up to date information on upcoming educational programs and to register online.

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pro grow news exclusive

Climate 1 Feature Change

Deck here...

and New England’s Urban Forests

Acer saccharum — Sugar Maple

by Rick Harper

T

hough experts often express divergent opinions over a variety of topics, there is widespread agreement that our changing climate will affect the habitat to which our urban trees have become adapted in the built environment, here in the Northeast. Changes regarding factors like extreme weather events, temperature, atmospheric CO2 concentrations and precipitation levels have the potential to alter ecosystems and the way their associated population communities respond, especially over the long-term. Since the vast majority (over 75%) of the native trees in our urban forests are within the latitudinal range of their natural forested range, it is appropriate to start by examining what researchers predict may be the eventual outcome of a changing climate on these traditional forested lands to get some sense as to how these environmental changes may impact our community trees.

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Since we started keeping formal records in the late 1800’s, we have noted a significant increase in average annual temperature (+ 1.44 deg F) and precipitation levels (+ 3.7 inches), with progressively less snow cover and a longer growing season that has featured more large-scale precipitation events (an 8% increase). Many of these changes are predicted to continue, thus future growing seasons are expected to get progressively longer and warmer, and extreme weather events are predicted to increase to include prolonged periods of drought and isolated events of increased precipitation intensity. Winter snow cover period is also predicted to continue to shorten through the end of the century, to the point where it may only be about 50% the length that it is today.

The effects of some of these changes have already been observed in some of our plant communities as recent studies

www.mnla.com

pro|grow|news

Text

Subhead Text

|Pull Quote Here| Tsuga canadensis — Canadian Hemlock

that have been performed in the more northerly forested ecosystems of Canada, Alaska and Siberia have already pointed to a more northern and upslope migration of certain tree species. Here in the Northeast these same trends have been noted, on even a relatively local scale as northern hardwood forest-type plants have replaced their boreal counterparts at higher elevations. This longterm, northward “shifting” of habitat is expected to create conditions that favor species that dominate our more southern forest types like the oak-hickory hardwood and oak-pine mixed forests. This increase in habitat suitability here in the Northeast, however, is expected to take place largely at the expense of the habitat more suited to the northern hardwood (maple-beech-birch) and northern mixed (aspen-birch, white-red-jack pine) forest types.

Thus, more specifically, many of the oaks (Quercus spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.) found in these more southerly forests are predicted to potentially thrive and expand northward, but generally at the expense of habitat preference for trees like hard maples (Acer saccharum, Acer nigrum), birches (Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera), beech (Fagus americana), arborvitae/eastern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and white spruce (Picea glauca). Since many of these common Northeast tree species have also been selected for planting in our more managed urban parks, landscapes and streets, what can be done to maintain the health of our current urban tree populations?

Trees are relatively long-lived organisms, with expectations that even the shorter-lived “pioneer” species remain viable for 60-100 years in their natural environment.

Though urban trees may only realize a portion of their life expectancy, urban forest managers and arborists may be able to provide some relief to existing tree populations by encouraging best management practices that help alleviate some of the environmental stresses associated with a changing weather pattern. Timely watering(s), for example, Winter|2013

Quercus coccinea — Scarlet Oak

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Quercus coccinea — Scarlet Oak Photo by Rick Harper

may help some of the aforementioned trees better cope with an extended, warmer growing season. Since pests (i.e. insects, pathogens) are not only attracted to stressed trees, but can also be an important stress factor themselves, management protocols for urban trees that include monitoring, confirmation of diagnosis and appropriate remedial actions should be implemented where appropriate. The proper application of mulch may be further encouraged to help protect against soil compaction, injury to roots and the lower stem, and to conserve soil moisture. Finally, since fertilizers may “push” established, mature specimens to grow when they should be concentrating their limited resources on persisting through a difficult growing season, their use should be limited to trees that only demonstrate a nutrient deficiency.

Taking intentional steps to help maintain the health of our current community tree populations is vital; however, research and experience tell us that community residents appreciate tree planting and the establishment of new community trees. If predicted climate trends hold, urban tree managers and arborists may work with nursery specialists/producers to select species that are currently indigenous to somewhat more southerly climates, whose habitats are predicted to increase in the long-term. This may include sweet-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum) and some of the more common southerly oak trees like willow oak (Quercus phellos) and turkey oak (Quercus laevis).

Fortunately, some tree species that may continue to do well under future climate change scenarios have already been planted for many years in the urban environment and their establishment may be even further encouraged. Some of these include honey-locust (Gleditsia triacanthos), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Freeman maple (Acer xfreemanii), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), Kentucky coffee-tree (Gymnocladus dioicus), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) and London plane-tree (Platanus xacerifolia).

We know that our urban forests/ urban plant communities provide untold benefits, from carbon sequestration, to human health and even

Acer saccharum — Sugar Maple Photo by Rick Harper

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economic dividends. They are also known to help preserve “relics” fromour native forested areas [e.g. Kentucky coffee-tree; Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera)] that have largely lost the mechanism of natural plant distribution. The landscape of the Northeast is not a stranger to change – forested areas east of the Mississippi were once cleared to the point where they only comprised a minority of the landscape; in recent decades, however, they have successfully regrown. Our urban forests may too adapt and acclimate to a changing environment – perhaps they may simply look a little more diverse than they do today. Given our need for urban plant diversity, perhaps this may not be such a bad thing.

References

Bell, A. 2013. Trees for 2050 [database].

Chicago Botanic Garden. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/tree_ alternatives Prasad, A. M., L. R. Iverson., S. Matthews., M. Peters. 2007-ongoing. A Climate Change Atlas for 134 Forest Tree Species of the Eastern United States [database]. http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/ tree Northern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, Delaware, Ohio.

Iverson, L. R., A. M. Prasad, S. N. Matthews, and M. Peters. 2008. Estimating potential habitat for 134 eastern US tree species under six climate scenarios. Forest Ecology and Management.

254:390-406. http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/ pubs/13412 Woodall, C.W., D.J. Nowak, G.C. Liknes, and J.A. Westfall. 2010. Assessing the potential for urban trees to facilitate forest tree migration in the eastern United States. Forest Ecology and Management. 254:1447-1454. http://www.nrs. fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2010/nrs_2010_woodall_004.pdf Woodall, C.W., C.M. Oswalt, J.A. Westfall, C.H. Perry, M.D. Nelson, and A.O. Finley. 2009. An indicator of tree migration in forests of the eastern United States. 257: 1434-1444. http:// www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2009/nrs_2009_ woodall_001.pdf Rustad, L., J. Campbell, J.S. Dukes, T. Huntington, K.F. Lambert, J. Mohan, N. Rodenhouse.

2012. Changing climate, changing forests: The impacts of climate change on forests of the northeastern United States and eastern Canada.

Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-99. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 48 pp. http://www.nrs. fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_nrs99.pdf

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Quercus coccinea — Scarlet Oak Photo by Rick Harper

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pro grow news business library

Are Smartphones Ou 5 Steps to Take Back Your Brain

by Vickie Milazzo

W

e love our smartphones.

There’s no denying it. In fact, we love them so much that we never want to put them down. Most of us constantly check for text messages, emails, and the latest Tweets and Facebook

suffer burn out from always being plugged into work, and as a result, our overall productivity suffers. Our relationshipbuilding skills suffer because we aren’t used to communicating with people face to face.

Turn off cyberspace There’s no greater blow to productivity than breaking your concentration to reply to an email or text as soon as it hits your smartphone. Remember, no award will be handed out at the end of the day for

updates at all hours of the day, whether we’re in a meeting, at lunch with a friend, or just at home in front of the TV. Of course, it’s easy to justify our smartphone love. They help us get more done. They allow us to stay plugged into what’s going on at the office. They help us organize our schedules, remind us when to pick up our dry cleaning, and manage our growing social networks.

Our smartphone obsession comes with a definite downside. Smartphones may be making us less rather than more smart and productive.

Being overly tapped into what’s happening on our smartphones isn’t a good thing. It prevents us from making the most of a networking event because we’re texting and emailing the whole time. We

And in some respects, we stop thinking.

For example, if your smartphone died, would you know when your next meeting was, what time your flight was leaving, who’s supposed to pick up the kids from school today? I know plenty of people who wouldn’t.”

Don’t get me wrong, when used responsibly smartphones can be great tools.

But I think many of us would admit to allowing them to take over our lives. As a result we miss out on the opportunities that are happening right in front of us. And it shouldn’t be that way.

Here are five easy steps to take back your life from your smartphone, recover your common sense and rediscover what it means to be productive.

the person who responded the fastest. If you’re doing nothing but responding to emails and texts, you’re bouncing around like a pinball. It’s also important to keep in mind that the purpose of email and texts is not to generate more email and texts.

Unless a response is necessary in order for the sender to move ahead on a task or project, it’s okay to let them have the last word. The more you’re connected to your smartphone the less you’re connected to yourself and the important task at hand.

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Tame the social media beast Smartphone apps make it fun and easier than ever to read our friends’ status updates and to see the photos they’ve posted on Facebook. It makes us www.mnla.com

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ut-Smarting Us? feel good when they “like” something we’ve posted or when we’re tagged in one of their photos. That’s one reason social media is so addicting – it’s like experiencing human hugs all day long.

Now that you understand why you like it, it’s time to tame the beast and take back your time.

Likewise, Twitter can quickly move from a social communication to an obsessive compulsive disorder. You can get caught up following every trending hashtag, but do you really need to know, or care about, most of the things you read on Twitter? Yes, there is some social utility to it, but like we saw during the Boston Marathon bomber manhunt, it quickly turns into a lot of people feeling involved when they’re really contributing more noise than signal.

Facebook and Twitter won’t be evaluating your performance at year’s end and probably can’t qualify you for a pay raise either.

night and find something that will really disturb your sleep. Can you really get the REM cycles your body requires if you’re still connected? Unless there’s a likelihood of an emergency, we have three rules in our house that we absolutely follow — the first is no smartphones in the bedroom. If someone dies overnight they’ll be just as dead in the morning and we’ll be rested and ready to deal with it.”

Turn off the lights and phone More and more of us are using our smartphones as watches and alarm clocks, keeping it plugged in to recharge on the bedside overnight. So long as your phone is plugged in, so are you. Take a break from your phone. If it’s by the bed you’ll get those late night calls, tweets and texts that interfere with precious sleep.

Plus, the easier you can reach your phone the more likely it becomes that you’ll check email in the middle of the

Crunch kale instead of candy Games are fun but they have their place and that’s not at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table. Words with Friends can wait until you’ve had words and meals with family. Our second rule bans smartphones from the table whether we’re at home or in a restaurant with friends.

Checking your texts and email during a meal is the social equivalent of picking your nose in public or saying to your BFF ‘this conversation is really interesting

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but excuse me while I score three more points….’” Crunch all the candy you want, but let’s face it, clicking your mouse to get points to build a hen house for your farm or sending someone virtual hugs, flowers, or groceries seems like a crazy waste of time.”

There’s no room in the restroom for a phone call We all know that smartphones carry more germs than a toilet seat — so why contaminate your bathroom with your phone? I can confidently tell you that the last place you want to be sitting and using your smartphone is a toilet seat and I don’t care how many paper liners you’ve stacked up on that seat. Not to mention — you’re sharing your business with total strangers.

Though it may seem painful at first, making these changes to your smartphone habits won’t kill you. In fact, I think you’ll find that when you use your smartphone just a little bit less, you’ll get way more out of it. It can actually become the productivity tool you want it to be instead of a drain on your time and social skills.

Vickie Milazzo is author of the New York Times bestseller, Wicked Success Is Inside Every Woman WickedSuccess.com.

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pro grow news exclusive

Improving Operational Efficiencies

by Having a System in Place

by John Allin

R

unning a large snow operation during a storm can prove daunting to anyone who cannot envision how it is to be done. If you are utilizing more than 15 units to service your customers, you need to have some sort of system in place to make it all happen smoothly and efficiently. Across the country there are a good number of contractors in the business of snow

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and ice management that have, in place, a viable system to allow for an orderly transition from one account to another.

This ensures that all customers are serviced properly and in a timely fashion.

Additionally, if the system in place is run properly all independent service providers and employees will have their hours recorded properly and will be paid on-time and in full. www.mnla.com

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pro grow news exclusive

Goin’ old school Some snow contractors continue to use a “paper” system, although technology is improving with each winter season – and such “systems” can now automatically track what everyone is doing.

One person can adequately “get their arms around” about 15 units plowing and salting customer locations. With 15 units, one person can probably keep track of everything that is taking place in their head, or with very few notes.

Once you begin to manage more than this number of snow fighting units, records need to be kept so that your people can be paid in a timely fashion. Keeping track of hours becomes important so that you don’t over, or under pay your employees (or independent service providers). Records also need to be kept as to who got plowed when so that your invoicing can

Once the decision is made to begin plowing operations, you need to get the word out to those that are working with, and for you. A reverse pyramid system usually works best. This is where you make the decision to start plowing and then place calls to the supervisors of a particular area. They, in turn, then call out the crew leaders or crew members and tell them that “it’s time.” Supervisors should be keeping track of when crew members were called out and when they started working – if you are paying them by the hour. The same holds true when the snow (or ice) event comes to an end and plowing operations are terminated.

Keeping track of end times becomes the responsibility of the supervisors or crew leaders. Have the crew members call into your office to turn in their hours as a double check of what the supervisors are turning in. This will help eliminate discrepancies when it comes time to pay

be accurate and above reproach. You need to start operating like a business entity. Until such time as you can cost justify the necessary expense for an automated technological solution, you’ll need to do it the old fashioned way – with phones and paper.

A call to arms

your employees, or subcontractors.

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Make the investment At some point, it will be necessary to justify having someone out there who will not be responsible for generating revenue. These will probably be the Area Supervisors referred to above. These

Area Supervisors usually are responsible for overseeing what goes on with the routes they are responsible for. These individuals are a non income generating expense that needs to be covered as overhead. They will “put out fires” and cover for those that don’t show up that particular snow event. Additionally, these individuals will be responsible for customer satisfaction. Most companies will pay these individuals more money for the additional responsibility.

Your MVP Even with the current technology solutions, having a strong Dispatcher is the key to making this whole scenario work. The Dispatcher is in constant communication with the Area Supervisors and handles all the paper at some point. Area Supervisors turn in their operators information to the Dispatcher. These include time sheets and completed route sheets for those that are plowing for them, and for those accounts assigned to them. What the Dispatcher says, goes. The Dispatcher, if doing his job properly, will know what routes are not going to be completed on time, what routes are always trouble, and what plowers have not shown up this time out.

Absent the use of a technology base tracking software, the Dispatcher keeps duplicate time sheets and route sheets at his fingertips. Two or three times during the event the Dispatcher checks with the Area Supervisors to find out what has, and has not yet been plowed. He marks the ‘completed accounts’ on the sheet that lists them (or checks them off as having been completed). In this fashion, the Dispatcher has at his fingertips an accurate accounting of “where we are at” during the event. Knowing that the Area Supervisor is very busy in the field, this is a great ‘check and balance’ to ensure that all accounts are serviced and not forgotten.

Good communications flow between the Dispatcher and the Area Supervisor is necessary for this to flow smoothly. The Area Supervisor must answer the questions that the Dispatcher poses about ‘who’s done, and who’s not done.’

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Stayin’ in touch The Area Supervisor should be able to communicate with all of the crew leaders, or crew members assigned to him. It isn’t really cost efficient to supply all plowers with dedicated channel two way radios, and quite frankly with advent of affordable cell phone technology the use of trunk-system twoway radios is fading fast. CB radios are still used for communications between plowers on a particular site. Safety is still paramount when multiple plowers are on the same site. In this fashion the Area Supervisor can move plow units from site to site if necessary and keep himself updated as to the progress of any given crew towards completing their ‘run.’

Another form of communicating with the Area Supervisor is the direct connect, or “push to talk” systems that

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have gained acceptance across the United States. Nextel and Sprint are the two players in this arena. However, this form of communicating is also going by the wayside as iPhone and Android cell phones gain wider acceptance in the snow industry.

On a side note, some might argue that having such easy and accessible communications with subcontractors might be cause for concern as far as the IRS and State Tax Law test about who is an independent contractor and who is an employee. It is just plain unsafe to have 5, 7 or 15 plowing units on a site, working amongst each other in a snowfall where three inches, four inches or more are falling per hour. Some semblance of organization must be had in order to keep the plowing units from running into each other. Therefore,

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pro grow news exclusive

there is precedent that this is one of the lesser weighted ‘tests’ in the entire setup.

You’re only as strong as...

Other key personnel in this storm management system are the support staff. These support staff may be just one person. In fact, for companies who are just starting out the Dispatcher may be the support staff too. If you should decide that you don’t yet need or require separate employees to do these tasks, so be it. However, for purposes of this article let’s diagram out the support staff by separating the duties of such staff.

As noted above the Area Supervisor will begin the initial contact with field personnel. This person obtains pertinent field information such as start and end times for plow personnel (employees and service providers), what was plowed,

when and the site conditions in the general geographic area of responsibility.

If using a paper system, once the snow event is over the Area Supervisor turns in this paperwork to the Dispatcher.

The Dispatcher checks to make sure that all lines are filled in, and that all the required data is there. This should be done immediately upon being turned in, and should be done with the Area Supervisor present. If this is not possible due to logistics, then the document should be faxed or scanned and emailed to the Dispatch office for processing. The new cell phone technology allows direct communications with the computer in the office, so a good portion of this data can be “entered into” appropriate fields in cloud based systems. And, of course the new tracking technology also eliminates the need for paper or the direct link to the

computer to fill in an excel sheet.

From these field documents comes a plethora of information. An administrative person (and as noted, in a smaller operation these positions may be filled by one person) can enter the start and end times for each ‘unit’ moving snow – be they employee or service provider. The excel document can be set up to automatically figure the time spent plowing. This same document can be set up with the hourly rate that the employee (or sub) is being paid, and made to automatically figure up how much money has been spent on this person’s time. The document can also be set up to add up all the field staff’ times by area so that you have an accurate accounting of what you have spent on that areas plowing for that ‘event’ or period of time.

Again, this document can then add up

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the expenditures for each area (if there is more than one) and you can quickly have an accurate accounting of what the company has spent managing the snow during that particular event.

If the information is collated as the information arrives in your office, it is entirely possible to have your ‘expenses’ literally within minutes of having all the information in your office. What a great tool for knowing your costs !!

Additionally, if most of your plowing is done ‘per push’, you can easily find out how much revenue you have generated during that event simply by keeping track of the information as it comes into the office. An administrative assistant can take this information directly from the Dispatcher’s route sheet documents or from the Area Supervisor’s route sheet documents. Many accounting packages

can be altered to have the pertinent language already there as a ‘macro’ so that generating an invoice in the computer is an easy task. Quick Books is an example of a very good accounting program for this purpose From there it is a simple task to subtract expenses from revenues to determine gross profit for the snow event. The same holds true for applications of salt, although if you are charging ‘per pound’ or ‘per ton’ you may have to actually wait for the salt truck operator to return with the quantities used in order to invoice accurately.

And, once again – technology is now available to (essentially) automate this entire process, thus virtually eliminating the need for several people to “man the office” to gather up this necessary

information. This technology all but eliminates mistakes that often associated with a paper system.

John Allin is a full time consultant to the snow industry. He is the founder of Snowfighters Institute (www. snowfightersinstitute.com) and a partner in CrewTracker Software (www. crewtrackersoftware.com). His book, Managing Snow and Ice, is considered the bible for snow contractors looking to grow their business. He also hosts a weekly internet radio show dedicated to the snow industry. Archived shows can be found on his website – www.johnallin.com Mr. Allin can be reached by emailing him at john@johnallin.com

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pro grow news safety sense

Crystalline Silica — Deadly Dust

A

ccording to a recent OSHA release, inhalation of very small (respirable) crystalline silica particles puts workers at risk for silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.

OSHA recently offered a proposed rule to protect workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica.

This is a proposal, not a final rule. OSHA encourages the public to participate in development of the rule by submitting comments and participating in public hearings. Your input will help OSHA develop a rule that ensures healthy working conditions for employees and is feasible for employers.

OSHA estimates that the proposed rule will save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis per year, once the full effects of the rule are realized.

The proposed rule is the result of extensive review of scientific evidence relating to the health risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica, analysis of the diverse industries where worker exposure to crystalline silica occurs, and robust outreach efforts to affected stakeholders. OSHA carefully considered current industry consensus standards on crystalline silica exposure,

recommendations from small business representatives, and input from other interested parties and partner agencies in developing the proposed rule.

OSHA currently enforces 40-year-old permissible exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica in general industry,

construction and shipyards that are

outdated, inconsistent between industries,

and do not dequately protect worker

health. The proposed rule brings

protections into the 21st century.

OSHA’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica was published in the Federal Register on September 12, 2013. The NPRM is available from the Federal Register in print (Document number: 2013-20997) or online at https:// federalregister.gov/a/2013-20997.

“Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential.

Every year, many exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis – an incurable and progressive disease – as well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. Workers affected by silica are fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers lost to entirely preventable illnesses.

We’re looking forward to public comment on the proposal.”

Dr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

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Hazard Communication

What is Crystalline Silica?

Respirable crystalline silica – very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand you might encounter on beaches and playgrounds – is created during work operations involving stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and industrial sand.

Exposures to respirable crystalline silica can occur when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing these materials. These exposures are common in brick, concrete, and pottery manufacturing operations, as well as during operations using industrial sand products, such as in foundries, sand blasting, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations in the oil and gas industry.

“The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is pleased to join with Dr. Michaels and our partners in labor and industry in OSHA’s announcement of the notice of proposed rulemaking on occupational exposure to crystalline silica.

NIOSH has a long history of research and recommendations on preventing worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Ensuring the health and safety of all workers is an important part

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is now aligned with the Globally Harmonized System ofClassification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). This update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) will provide a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and safety data sheets. Once implemented, the revised standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information in the workplace, making it safer for workers by providing easily understandable information on appropriate handling and safe use of hazardous chemicals. This update will also help reduce trade barriers and result in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store, and use hazardous chemicals while providing cost savings for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the hazardcommunication standard.

During the transition period employers may comply with either the HazCom 1994, the Haz Com 2012, or both. This page provides information on the 1994 HazCom standard as well as general information on hazard communication. For information on the HazCom 2012, please click on the link located at the top of the page. The effective dates for the HazCom 2012 can found at: http://www.osha.gov/dsg/ hazcom/effectivedates.html What is Hazard Communication?

Chemicals pose a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity).

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is designed to ensure that information about these hazards and associated protective measures is disseminated. This is accomplished by requiring chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluatethe hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and toprovide information about them through labels on shipped containers and more detailed information sheets called material safety data sheets (MSDSs). All employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must prepare andimplement a written hazard communication program, and must ensure that all containers are labeled, employees are provided access to MSDSs, and an effective training program is conducted for all potentially exposed employees.

The HCS provides people the right-to-know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace. When employees have this information, they may effectively participate in their employers’ protective programs and take steps to protect themselves.

In addition, the standard gives employers the information they need to design and implement an effective protective program for employees potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals. Together these actions will result in a reduction of chemical source illnesses and injuries in American workplaces.

of ensuring a strong economy and future economic growth.”

Dr. John Howard Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

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OSHA Standards Hazard communication is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, longshoring, and the construction industry. This page highlights OSHA standards, preambles to final rules (background to final rules), directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to hazard communication.

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Government Relations Notes

Please Forgive Me If I Repeat

by Chris O’Brien, Government Relations Committee Chairman

P

lease forgive me if I repeat myself. A little while back I asserted the need for MNLA to work in the legislative and regulatory arenas. Without the active involvement of the association – and its members – the needs and priorities of the industry would not be addressed in public policies.

Other groups, other policy requirements would dominate. The voice of the green industry would recede, and eventually so would the entire sector in the state’s economy.

I bring this up again because now there is the most vivid evidence of precisely how such a thing happens. You may recall that earlier this year the Governor proposed a $1.9 billion tax plan to fund transportation and education initiatives. The major revenue components of the plan highlighted then were an increase in personal income tax

“Ignoring Beacon Hill carries a steep price.” revenues and a decrease in the sales tax rate.

The Legislature took up the transportation financing segment and devised a plan that would generate an estimated $500 million to $800 million annually, depending on who you talk to. The collection of taxes to generate these new revenues incorporated items borrowed from the Governor’s initial plan, including the extension of the 6.25 percent sales tax to certain “computer services.” The Governor vetoed the bill as inadequate, but the Legislature passed it over his objections.

Almost immediately objections began to be voiced about that new sales tax on computer services, which were so ambiguously defined in the law that the revenue estimates ranged from $160 million (the state) to $500 million (Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation). Soon high tech business organizations, state budget monitors, business leaders, editorialists, lobbyists and others were inveighing against the tax as a threat to a rapidly growing sector of the state economy.

Even some legislators who had voted for the transportation package were now vocalizing opposition to the computer services tax.

The Governor also urged repeal of this particular item. The House voted to repeal the tax by a vote of 156-1. The Senate vote was 38-0. The Governor signed the bill immediately.

Nearly everyone agreed that this particular tax was a serious mistake. So how did a really bad idea make it so far before it was identified as such?

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Myself Michael Farrell of the Boston Globe states the case succinctly: “With Massachusetts poised to adopt a broad new tax on software services, the state’s technology sector is about to learn a hard lesson: Ignoring Beacon Hill carries a steep price.

“The industry was practically absent from the early discussions about including the tax in a transportation funding bill, a legislator involved in the tax bill said, and its largest and most prominent advocacy group was not at the table opposing the tax. “‘We heard precious little from the industry,’ said Democratic Senator Stephen Brewer of Barre, cochairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. ‘There are people who could have weighed in earlier that we didn’t see.’”

The head of one high tech association stated that the organization had “moved away from being a lobbying organization to being a member organization.”

Whether the revenues would have been $160 million or $500 million, the effect on high tech companies would have been huge. MNLA devotes significant resources to make certain that this type of miscalculation does not happen to our industry. But your voice, your participation in the process is equally important. It pays to pay attention.

You can rely on Farm Credit East for recordkeeping and reporting Sound financial management begins with reliable, real-time records and financial reports that enable you to identify key issues. Whether you’re a small family business or a large operation with diverse markets, Farm Credit East can help.

For more information, watch our video on record-keeping services at youtube.com/FarmCreditEast.

It pays to pay attention.

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Winter|2013

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Certifiable MCH Corner

Certifiable: The MCH News Corner Join us in recognizing excellence and then add MCH to your name, too.

By Cheryl Salatino, MCH

W

elcome to the quarterly column dedicated to updating the MCH community and MNLA members about what’s happening in the MCH Program.

Excellence Abound!

Last quarter we recognized our 30 year+ MCHs. I hope you were able to let them know you noticed their accomplishments.

This quarter we want to recognize another group of longstanding MCHs. These are the folks that continue to define the standards for achievement in our industry. Please join the MCH Board in recognizing this group of MCH stalwart professionals. Each year since earning the MCH credential, they have shown us how professionalism in our industry is achieved. Thank you for your dedication.

29 years: Mark Ahronian MCH, Ahronian Landscaping & Design, Inc. Dick Bemis, MCH, Bemis Farms Nursery David Crocker, MCH, Crocker Nurseries John Lebeaux, MCH, Shrewsbury Nurseries 28 years: David Alessandroni, MCH, Carroll County Landscape, Inc. Paul Briggs Jr, MCH, Briggs Nursery, Inc. Joseph Brown, MCH, Tarnow Nursery, Inc. Christopher Iannitelli, MCH, Town of West Bridgewater 27 years: Stephen Crowe, MCH, Sunshine Landscaping Co. 26 years: Richard Bursch, MCH, Lakeview Nurseries Jack Elicone, MCH, J.C. Landscaping Company Margaret Kenny, MCH, Flowers For Rent Rip Sokol, MCH, Fourth Generation Nursery, Inc. Thomas Wilhelm, MCH, A Blade of Grass 25 years: Wayne Carboni, MCH, Carboni Landscaping Jim Connolly, MCH, Northeast Nursery, Inc. Steve Corrigan, MCH, Mountain View Landscapes & Lawn Care Inc. Kevin Humphrey, MCH, Humphreys Garden Design & Landscape Thomas Mauer, MCH, MVL Shrub Man

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Using the MCH Logo in E-Communications Celebrate your achievement by using the MCH logo in your electronic communications. Start by adding the logo to your email signature. Not all email packages are the same, but each of the major email purveyors offers clear directions on the steps to setting up a signature block. You an use the site’s Search function to locate specific instructions for inserting a graphic into your email signature.

Here’s a sample of how your signature can demonstrate distinction.

Your Name Your Company Your Title Your email address Your Phone Shout it out!

MCHs that are part of an MNLA member company are able to download the logo from the MNLA website. Anyone who is an MCH, and not yet a member, may contact the MNLA office via email for an electronic copy of the logo.

Recertification Credit Tip 1 Point Submit an article to ProGrow News. We’ve even made it easy to share information about the plants you love to put in the ground. Just download an article template named, Plant for Success. You’ll find it on the MNLA website (www.mnla.com/ mch). Provide information about your favorite plant including its basic botanic information, what makes it successful in the landscape, overall plant features, and a photo. Email your submission to the MNLA office.

Next MCH Exam: Friday, February 7, 2014 at New England Grows.

Cuddle up with the MNLA Resource Guide during the cold weather months.

If you have questions you would like answered in this column, email Cheryl Salatino at cheryl@ dancingshadowsdesign.com. Please put MCH in the subject line of your message.

www.mnla.com

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MNLA Product Update

Advertiser Index

MNLA Products committee reaches sales goal for 2013!

Thank you to MNLA members for helping to reach our 2013 sales goal of a hundred thousand or more in sales !!

Needles to say it’s income MNLA needs to help defray the costs of educational programs. MNLA makes 10% of sales.

We are the only Nursery / Landscaping association that has its own product line in the country !! Our products with the help of Umass extension were designed for Massachusetts soils. They help with giving our members a line of fertilizers, and grass seed blends that are a members only program.

You have to be an MNLA member to purchase them giving our members a professional line that the box stores can’t sell, creating a niche for our members. As MNLA continues to strive in being a resource for success our own products program is helping to do just that.

Our partnership with Valley Green fertilizer company/ Nutrite has developed into a good working relationship we can count on. The new designed plastic bags have been a huge success. We plan on working to get the word out better with new marketing initiatives in the future. We have introduced new products this year designed to help our retail / landscaper members giving you more opportunities to try MNLA product blends. Please give our sales rep. Doug Dondero a call you’ll find he’s very friendly, and helpful 508944-3262 Thanks again for helping us reach our sales goal !!

MNLA Products chair, and Past President Mark Ahronian

Acorn Tree and Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Amherst Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Bigelow Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Coronis Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Farm Credit East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Farm Family Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Griffin Greenhouse Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Ideal Concrete Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Motz &Son Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Northeast Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 The Vermont Mulch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Weston Nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

For Information on Advertising Call Debbie Rauen

(817) 501-2403

debbie.parksandrec@yahoo.com

MARKETPLACE

Motz & Son Nursery Wholesale Growers of ...

Shade and Flowering TreeS FruiT TreeS dwarf, Semi-dwarf & Standard

coronis consulting __________________ Sharing over 35 years of business & landscape success Laurence S. Coronis 603.721.9812 www.coronisconsulting.com

combinaTion FruiT TreeS (4 in 1) eSpalier appleS Semi-dwarf, combination & one Variety walnuTS and FilberTS deciduouS ShrubS Write for our stock and price: 11445 N.W. Skyline Blvd.

Portland, Oregon 97231 Phone 503-645-1342 Fax 503-645-6856

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plant for success

One of My Favorite Plants

By Laura Harrigan, MCH Persephone Creative, Hopkinton, MA

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ — Golden Japanese Forest Grass CULTURE — Full sun to full shade Deciduous 18” tall by 3’ wide Zones 5-9 Prefers evenly moist soil, but will tolerate dry soils; grows more slowly in dry soil. Becomes tinged with pink in early fall before turning brown by late fall. Average growth rate Why Golden Japanese Forest Grass shines — Hakonechloa ‘Aureola’ has become a staple in my landscapes due to its versatility, long season of interest, easy care, and lack of predators. It will even grow in full shade, where it does not lose an ounce of its bright golden color. It becomes a beacon of light in any shady corner. In even the slightest breeze, the whole plant ripples to life. Planted along a hillside, it looks like a waterfall. It forms compact and dense, yet graceful clumps that smother out weeds.

My favorite combinations usually include large, bold leaves that provide fabulous contrast to its soft, delicate blades: mix it with glossy, deep green European ginger, blue vaseshaped hostas such as Krossa Regal, and ligularias, especially the maroon-leaved varieties like Britt-Marie Crawford.

Underplant it beneath Winterthur or Brandywine viburnums or red-leaved Japanese maples for a beautiful effect as well.

Two extremely minor notes: I’ve had rabbits nibble a leaf or two, but they seem to tire of it quickly, because it’s not even noticeable unless you’re really inspecting your plants. And, occasionally, a leaf may revert to its full green heritage – when this happens, just snip it out. Inspect plants at time of purchase and avoid buying plants already showing signs of reversion.

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