The Landscape Contractor magazine OCT.24 DIGITAL EDITION
Bur Oaks and Climate Change
The Life of Roy
Ginger Wine® Ninebark
Sunjoy Gold Pillar® Barberry
Kodiak® Black Bush Honeysuckle
Photo Credits
ILCA Awards Committee 1, 8-9
Rick Reuland 10-15
Mark Dwyer 20-25, 6 2
Midwest Goundcovers 26-29
Sustainability Committee 32-33
The Morton Arboretum
Kuenzi Turf and Nurser 5 6-57 Bravos Landscape 61
OCTOBER
October 1-2, 2024
Foremenship & Crew Leader Workshop
NIU-Naperville Naperville, IL
October 3, 2024
Young Professionals Event Techo Block Minooka, IL
October 11, 2024
Pruning Workshop - Central Region
The official publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA), The Landscape Contractor is dedicated to educating, advising and informing members of this industry and furthering the goals of the Association. The Landscape Contractor carries news and features relating to landscape contracting, maintenance, design and allied interests. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material and reserves the right to edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication. Publication reserves right to refuse advertising not in keeping with goals of Association. www.ilca.net
Volume 65, Number 10. The Landscape Contractor (ISSN # 0194-7257, USPS # 476-490) is published monthly for $75.00 per year by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste. 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. Periodicals postage paid at Oak Brook, IL and additional mailing offices. Printed in USA.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Landscape Contractor, 2625 Butterfield Road, Ste 104S, Oak Brook, IL 60523. DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES: Association Publishing Partners, Inc., Ph. (630) 637-8632 Fax (630) 637-8629 email: rmgi@comcast.net CLASSIFIED ADS, CIRCULATION AND SUBSCRIPTION: ILCA (630) 472-2851 Fax (630) 472-3150 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL OFFICE: Rick Reuland, rmgi@comcast.net, Naperville, IL 60540 Ph. (630) 637-8632
ILCA Staff
Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net
Statewide Director of Development Kellie Schmidt kschmidt@ilca.net
Director of Events AnneMarie Drufke adrufke@ilca.net
Education Manager Melissa Custic mcustic@ilca.net
Office Manager Alycia Nagy anagy@ilca.net
Membership & Marketing Manager
Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net
2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150 www.ilca.net
Illinois Central College - Horticulture Land Laboratory East Peoria, IL
October 23, 2024
Women’s Networking Group Fall Event
Chandler’s Chop House Schaumburg, IL
October 24, 2024
The Impact Conference
NIU-Naperville Naperville, IL
From Where I Stand —
“Major Strasser has been shot... round up the usual suspects.”
Captain Renault, Casablanca
Everyone loves a good mystery. Most of us get our first exposure to solving mysteries with the popular board game Clue. Players spend the game darting from room to room gathering clues to solve the mystery of who killed our victim. A successful guess will involve the room, murder weapon, and the suspect. The cards are tucked away in an envelope in the center of the board. There is nothing more satisfying than getting the guess right and nothing more humiliating than blowing it in front of all the other players.
Clue is iconic. Almost everyone can recite a few of the popular suspects - the vampy Ms. Scarlet, the erudite Professor Plum, the batty Ms. Peacock, and the blusterous Colonel Mustard. The game contains diecast models of the famous murder weapons — the revolver, the knife, the lead pipe, or the rope. The rooms are familiar — the billiard room, the lounge, the conservatory.
Clue, like all murder mysteries, starts with a body. And, as we all know from murder mysteries, dead men tell no tales.
a lot of pulp mysteries when you can include “suffering”, “widespread damage”, and “killer” in the title. The Trib article covers most of the analysis from the Prairie Rivers Network. To provide both sides, the article does include a tepid quote from a soybean commodities group saying these pesticides are safe and well-researched. That quote was tantamount to, “No comment.”
To be fair, I am being melodramatic. Both studies aren’t really showing forests and forests of dead trees. In reality, they are showing deformities, wilt, leaf cupping, stunted veins, elongated and coiled shoots, and other signs of damage unique to chemical drift. The lack of dieback and death has not stopped groups like the Prairie Rivers Network from their search for suspects and demand for justice.
Forgive
us our Trespasses
This year, two research papers were released a few months from one another. The first was an arcane report published by the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) entitled “Understanding the extent and consequences of chemical trespass for Illinois ecosystems.” The second report comes from an upstart advocacy group called The Prairie Rivers Network (PRN) entitled “Hidden in Plain Sight: Herbicide Drift and Chemical Trespass” This report concludes a 6-year research project to determine how pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides are affecting tree health in our communities.
These two reports have one thing in common - they have identified a body, lots of them. They conclude that pesticides in the form of chemical drift are severely damaging our urban and rural tree canopies. Pesticides, mostly applied by farms in an agricultural setting, have damaged trees in every county where data was collected.
The INHS report is dry. It is 36 pages of analysis and 56 more pages of tables, charts, research results, and footnotes. There are no pretty pictures. There are no sweeping policy and regulatory recommendations. It is a research paper written by researchers to be consumed by other researchers. The paper does not have much dramatic flare. It reads more like a coroner’s report than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Hidden in Plain Sight report is much juicier. It was written for journalists, policy-makers, and politicians. This is the Dean Koontz version of a research paper. The plot has holes, there’s a lot of overacting, and the detectives kick a few inconvenient clues under the sofa. This report has lots of pretty photos. It localizes the issue by including case studies and interviews with local land managers who could be our neighbors. It does not hesitate to make sweeping recommendations about policy changes and agency overhauls.
It is no wonder that the second paper was the one spotlighted in an article in the Chicago Tribune. That scathing article was entitled “Illinois Trees and Plants Suffering Widespread Damage from Renewed Use of Decades-old Weedkillers on Farms....” You will sell
Last spring, a bill was proposed in Springfield from environmental groups like PRN looking to create a brand new penalty and fine structure for pesticide misuse on trees. When ILCA looked into the bill, we were told this would relate to the yet-to-bereleased studies on chemical drift and trespass. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) does track pesticide misuse incidents involving trees and it has been holding steady between 80-100 incidents per year. IDOA attached a fiscal note that this proposed penalty structure would cost the agency over $1.5 million in new administrative costs. If any damage to a tree was fair game, IDOA was going to need to hire a lot more detectives. That fiscal note, the opposition from stakeholders like the ILCA, and the lack of the research papers was enough to pause the momentum on the bill. Now that the papers have been released, the bill will lurch back into motion.
This does put ILCA in a tricky spot. Our Turf Committee and Regulatory and Legislative Committee are very pragmatic. They will rarely oppose a bill that looks to punish bad actors. Lawn care professionals don’t believe that penalties for misuse should be eliminated. Penalties hold applicators and operators accountable. Applicators value their licensure and the responsibility required to apply these chemicals. With that said, the contention in these papers is novel. Trees are being damaged and no one knows by whom. To put it another way, the room is filled with over 4,000 professionals licensed to apply pesticides in Illinois across all settings. The lights go out, there is a scuffle and a scream, the lights come on, a body lies on the floor. Whodunit?
Let’s play Clue, shall we?
First, let’s examine the room. Both reports use dozens of sites in a heavy agricultural state whose corn and soybeans feed the world. The INHS study uses a collection of 185 sites with 102 being selected randomly. PRN uses 192 sites that were more deliberately selected. The sites were observed throughout the growing season to see how trees would be impacted by seasonal pesticide applications of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. The sites were then cross-referenced based on their proximity to farms. 78,000 plants of 400 different species were sampled. Cosmetic damage was found in 99% of study sites. Moderate damage was found in 92% of sites. Severe damage was found in 54% of sites. Oaks, redbud, and boxelder showed the most impact.
Next, the murder weapon. The INHS collected tissue and soil samples for analysis of 486 different chemicals. In all, they detected 41 chemicals. Early season visits found herbicides - mostly atrazine and 2,4-D. The later visits showed fungicides like propiconazole and the insecticide bifenthrin. Dicamba and glufosinate were also encountered,
but on a much smaller scale. Lastly, neonics were almost non-existent since neonics are now used as a seed coating versus an aerial application. Atrazine is a corn herbicide. Dicamba and 2,4-D are some of the most common herbicides used in soybeans as well as landscape applications in nurseries, tree care, and lawn care.
Now, for the final card in the envelope, the suspect. This is where it gets tricky. There is no final card in the envelope. The INHS paper puts a magnifying glass on farmers and big ag. Rural communities already have a love/hate relationship with farms. They recognize their necessity while disliking the constant sight and sound of stunt planes performing aerial pesticide applications. Aerial applicators are on extremely tight schedules. Heavy winds are usually not a good enough excuse to delay an application even though pesticide labels and federal law say they should. The Prairie Rivers Network paper goes a step further and slams lawn care and ornamental applicators. The data is extremely weak to tie backyard applications to tree damage in naturalized areas, but their paper doesn’t pull that punch. Further, the state of Illinois uses the exact same penalty and fine structure for agricultural and lawn care misuse and a tree can’t tell you who fired the shot.
The challenge is that the Illinois Department of Agriculture has not been able to tie the analyzed chemicals back to a pesticide misuse violation. Did the application occur last week? Last month? Last year? The entire IDOA process is dependent on a licensed applicator misapplying a chemical. When IDOA doesn’t have a misuse violation, they don’t have an applicator. When they don’t have an applicator, they don’t have a license to penalize. In essence, the suspects all have alibis and any true crime fan will tell you - if you aren’t going to charge them, you need to let them go.
To add further complications, both reports admit the damage may not be fatal. Instead of a murder, you have a wound that will heal. It is not known if the stress was caused by the chemical trespass or if the tree was already stressed and the chemical trespass made it worse. The leaf damage was observed high in the canopies using binoculars and ground observation. Cupping and wilt may be caused by chemicals, but they could also be caused by a wide variety of insect and disease factors. Lastly, herbicides are often applied in naturalized areas themselves. Invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn are two examples of invasives that require chemical control by land managers. Could the kill shot really just be friendly fire?
The ILCA is in a unique position on this issue. As much as we bristle against excessive regulation, we deeply value our urban forests. Further, we are home to over 100 nurseries who are surrounded on all sides by agricultural applicators. Consistent misuse is a threat to growers with downstream threats to those who install and maintain trees in the finished landscape. Like with Clue, landscape professionals could find ourselves both the victim and the suspect.
Since the release of the reports, the ILCA is being as proactive as possible. We have asked both our Growers and Turf committees to review the report. We have reached out to dozens of advocacy groups from land managers to environmentalist to ag groups to the Illinois Arborist Association. Our lobbyist has been briefed. The issue was covered at Turf Education Day. We have opened up communication channels with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Interagency Committee on Pesticides.
As with any whodunit, we have all gathered in the parlor. It will be a long night. There will be accusations and finger pointing. But, if we keep our heads and work together, maybe we can all get out of this alive.
Sincerely,
Scott Grams, Executive Director
August 20, 202
President Ashley Marrin
Bret-Mar Landscape Management Group, Inc. (708) 301-2225 ashley@bretmarlandscape.com
Vice-President
Kim Hartmann Rosborough Partners 847-404-7669 hartmannkim@comcast.net
Secretary-Treasurer
Kevin McGowen Kaknes/SiteOne (630) 416-999 kevin@kaknes.com
Immediate Past President
Jeff Kramer Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc, (630) 293-5444 jwkramer@kramertree.com
Directors
Adam Bellas Bellas Landscaping (309) 827-5263 adam@bellaslandscaping.com
Jim Cirrincione Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. (630) 323-1411 jcirrincione@hinsdalenurseries .com
Ryan Heitman
The Fisher Burton Company (847) 566-9200 ryanheitman@fisherburton.com
Becky Thomas Spring Grove Nursery, Inc. (815) 448-2097 bthomas@springrovenursery.com
Mark Utendorf
Emerald Lawn Care, Inc. (847) 392-7097 marku@emeraldlawncare.com
www.ilca.net
President’s Message —
Ioften talk about horses here because the sport has made such an impact on my personal and professional life. When most 16-year-old girls were learning how to handle a car, I was learning to drive a truck and trailer. Joe, owner of the horse farm, had a beautiful three-horse trailer and I happened to have a hand-me-down landscape truck. At the end of a horse show I would pull into the farm’s gravel lot and Joe would come down to make sure that trailer was backed in straight as an arrow — even if it took me an hour to do it on my own. You could say that Joe was an early influencer in my life.
The word influence means “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.” An influencer (or mentor) can be a lifelong friend, acquaintance, family member, role model, coach, or coworker. I’ve been fortunate to meet many people in those roles who have had a positive influence on my life.
Once, as I set out to a horse show, the trailer (with horses inside) popped off the truck’s hitch! A little shaken up, I wanted to call it a day, but Joe came over and instead of admonishing me about what I did wrong, he said “sh** happens!”. He made sure the trailer was properly hitched and sent me back on the road. Joe pushed me outside of my comfort zone, gave me confidence, and empowered me to be independent all while showing trust. Whether Joe knew it or not, he positively influenced my life and helped make me the confident woman I am today. I encourage you to be aware of the type of influence you make on someone’s life — at work, at home, at play. Even small actions count.
Stay Positive!
Ashley Marrin
Con frecuencia hablo aquí de caballos debido a que el deporte ha tenido un gran impacto en mi vida personal y profesional. Cuando la mayoría de las jóvenes de 16 años estaban aprendiendo a manejar un auto, yo aprendía a manejar un tractor y un remolque. Joe, dueño de la granja de caballos, tenía un hermoso remolque de tres caballos y yo tenía un camión para paisajismo de segunda mano. Al final de una exhibición hípica, yo entraba al lote de grava de la granja y Joe se aparecía para asegurarse de que el remolque entrara recto como una flecha — aunque me tomara una hora hacerlo yo sola. Podemos decir que Joe fue un temprano influenciador en mi vida.
La palabra influencia significa “la capacidad de tener efecto en la personalidad, el desarrollo o el comportamiento de alguien o algo o el efecto mismo”. Un influenciador (o mentor) puede ser un amigo de toda la vida, un conocido, un miembro de la familia, un modelo de conducta, coach o compañero de trabajo. He tenido la suerte de conocer a muchas personas en esos roles que han tenido una influencia positiva en mi vida.
¡Una vez, mientras me disponía a ir a una exhibición hípica, el remolque (con los caballos dentro) se salió del enganche del camión! Un poco nerviosa, quería dar por terminado el día, pero vino Joe y en lugar de amonestarme por lo que hice mal, me dijo “¡Esas cosas pasan!” Se aseguró de que el remolque estuviera debidamente enganchado y me envió de nuevo a la carretera. Joe me sacó de mi zona de comodidad, me dio confianza y me empoderó para que fuera independiente mostrando confianza al mismo tiempo. Lo haya sabido Joe o no, influyó positivamente en mi vida y me ayudó a ser la mujer segura de sí misma que soy ahora. Los animo a tomar conciencia del tipo de influencia que pueden ejercer en la vida de otra persona — en el trabajo, en casa, jugando. Incluso las pequeñas acciones cuentan.
¡Mantenga una actitud positiva! Ashley Marrin
Ashley Marrin
Bertog Landscape Co. • Wheeling Garden of Delights
Built in the early 1900s, this home’s landscape design features edibles and a unique, relaxing front-yard garden patio. Pear and apple trees, vegetables and herbs blend with seasonal groupings in perennial beds throughout. A mixed border garden along the property edge of the front sidewalk offers two-way views of flowering perennials, vegetables and herbs. The enclosed bluestone patio with cedar lattice fencing and brick pillars creates privacy and a seamless transition from an interior sunroom
with sliding doors to the enclosed garden patio. Sweet autumn clematis and New Dawn climbing roses provide colorful displays that soften the latticework. Along the home’s foundation, Quick Fire® hydrangea groupings create structure and color, from midsummer through winter. Path lighting and two Green Mountain Boxwood flank the main entryway along the side of the house. In back, a bluestone pathway leads to a bluestone patio with Autumn Brillance® serviceberries and Green Gem Boxwood hedges.
Landscape Design Unplugged
Design Was the Lively Topic
by Nina A. Koziol
More than 150 landscape professionals signed on for the second annual Landscape Design Unplugged, an August evening of learning and networking at The Wild Onion Brewery, a former quarry restored to a natural landscape and brewpub in Lake Barrington. After grabbing refreshments they sat down to hear from an engaging panel of design pros that included Bob Hursthouse, President, Hursthouse Inc., Kathryn Deery, Head Horticulturist, Chicago’s Lurie Garden and Matt Haber, Design Director, Western DuPage Landscaping, Inc.
Griffin from Hursthouse fielded questions from the audience. Here are some of the highlights.
During the opening remarks attendees were asked how long they’ve been in the green industry. The majority had between one and five years experience. Trent Maxwell, a recent U of I grad, and landscape designer at Greenview in Mahomet, Illinois, made the three-hour drive to hear the speakers and meet with passionate peers. “My manager recommended attending and it was a good idea. I want to get our name out there and network.” The moderator Josh
What are some recent trends?
KD: I don’t have the years of experience as the others, but naturalistic gardens is a movement that’s not stopping. We’re thinking about how the plants work in a design setting and how they are resourced.
MH: I agree. There’s an awareness of the diversity of plants—we recognize that clients know Roy Diblik and Piet Oudolf. And hardscaping—the trend toward outdoor spaces has been amazing.
BH: Outdoor living—since the pandemic, it’s become a major part of what we do. We had an interesting reset with Covid and that rising trend for outdoor living spaces.
(continued on page 12)
Summer Events — 2024
(continued from page 10)
As technology advances what have you used or evolved into?
BH: My pencil works just fine. My team uses CAD and photography. We’re always looking at the next big thing. My tablet has photos of before-and-after projects that I can show clients.
KD: Mapping our garden is important right now. I’d love an easier way to update our plants.
MH: We use AutoCAD with a mixture of CAD and drawing—no 3D. Like Bob, we use a ton of pictures when people don’t understand a 2D plan. That’s an advantage of 3D modeling and rendering.
MH: We worked with EOC Audio (Lisle, IL) with a custom home build and we’ve seen a lot of interest in outdoor t.v.’s. Outdoor t.v. is the thing that’s gained the most popularity.
Outdoor audio is still very popular as well as landscaping lighting and changing the lighting zones.
Are you using artificial intelligence (AI) or other technology for design?
BH: AI is a big scary thing—it’s smarter than me. Seriously, I have some designs in AI—it’s here.
KD: I haven’t dabbled in that yet but we’ve used Chat GPT.
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Summer Events — 2024
(continued from page 12)
MH: Kathryn and I were at the iLandscape session on AI and I thought, wow, this is going to replace me, but it’s more like a coworker.
Are more clients asking for native plants?
MH: We have seen clients interested in natives and I don’t see that changing. We work with a clear understanding that things change. It’s not a one and done design. These landscapes also need maintenance.
KD: Having a mown strip to show that the design is intentional and purposeful is helpful. It also requires a knowledge of the plants. Learn each plant and observe and see them interacting.
BH: There’s more awareness of native plant communities. Is everyone ready for a 10,000 square foot prairie in their backyard? No. You have to think about the site. For example, with Chicago soils, especially in the western suburbs, you can have a rain garden that (unintentionally) becomes a bathtub.
Has the changing of the hardiness zone affected your designs?
KD: We’re including more magnolias in our plantings. We can experiment and try things, and we are pushing the limits— trying some Zone 7-hardy plants because we’re in a microclimate.
BH: It’s great to see, but I’m being more cautious about new introductions. We try
them at our office, my yard and at Josh’s before using them.
MH: I don’t have a good answer for that—it’s wait and see.
Could you talk about going from design to install?
BH: Design-build is a curious phenomenon. We want the buyer involved—it’s communication of the design intent. You start to build a synergy and it’s all about communication.
MH: How much time do you have? Well, it’s communication with the client. We sell on emotion. Design and emotion. It’s not like pulling a pair of shoes off the shelf and here’s what you’re getting.
KD: I manage an existing design so I’m looking at the feeling and intent of that
design when I work. You have to pay attention to the competitive plants and deal with them.
How has the pool for talent changed?
MH: The talent pool has grown immensely—so many people come into this industry as a second career—males and females, and the junior colleges are contributing to the pool.
KD: We have an annual apprenticeship for 20 weeks and people come from different backgrounds and different careers.
My coworker comes from a dance background. They have their own creative sense. Don’t immediately discount someone because of their background.
BH: Some of our university programs have been in decline and junior colleges and high schools are picking that up. We need a diverse array of people in our industry. As our landscaping becomes more complex, we’ve expanded far beyond what we do—plumbers, pool makers, accountants.
What about educating crews?
MH: We do a lot of things off season with office staff. With crews, that happens in the field. We have “tail gates”— five to 10 minute talks done weekly and followed up in the field. In winter we get together as a team and take a topic of interest to help raise the bar in our company.
BH: We recognize the importance of ongoing education. We’ve had guys move from unskilled labor to project managers. We discuss basics like ‘How does this tool work? — mowers, etc. — and we have certifications. It means more skilled labor and more money for them.
KD: We do a quick 15-minute education session for volunteers. Field trips are an important part of our education. We visit midwest gardens, not just those by Piet Oudolf, but others. And there are online
classes by Kelly Norris, Larry Weaner and others during the winter.
How do you educate your clients/ public?
MH: It’s getting them to realize that everything requires maintenance. How often do you hear, ‘I want no maintenance’? Our mentality is ‘oh I’ll replace this, or get rid of it, or return it.’ It’s getting people to realize that things take time and appreciating the need for skilled work.
BH: Once upon a time, clients came to us for inspiration. Now they come with a picture book from Houzz. A lot of times we’re the buzz kill — no, you can’t have a pony in the suburbs. We have to create a hierarchy for what people want.
How about building relationships?
BH: Listen really well and let the client know how you listened. I run through the hit parade of what they want and it’s a good starting point.
KD: Focus on making relationships with every person you interact with — growers, stone workers, plumbers — things I never thought I’d care about. but do.
MH: It’s great you’re all here. Take advantage of ILCA events, vendors and others here.
Romeo Marquez of Gabriel’s Landscape and Tree Service in Palatine said, “It’s interesting to hear from people who have had years of work and a lot of experience. It opens your mind.”
Don’t miss another career-enhancing event: https://ilca.net/ilca-events/
Special Feature Series —
The Life of Roy
From Berwyn to Burlington and around the
world
Foreward
Just about one year ago, I attended the Midwest Natural Garden anniversary event. Roy Diblik was one of the featured speakers. Roy is no stranger to me or the pages of this magazine. Roy and countless articles about his passion for plants have graced these pages since the early 2000s. On this near 90 degree day, Roy was scheduled to have a fireside chat with attendees.
This was no joke. Assembled in a circle of upturned logs was Roy, holding court with 30 friends and followers. And yes, there was a fire. He held this group spellbound as he
by Nina A. Koziol
Roy Diblik. He’s been called The Prairie Whisperer, The Perennial Persuader and The Maestro of Modern Planting Design. A plantsman for more than 40 years, Diblik’s work spans many high profile projects including Chicago’s Lurie Garden, Shedd Aquarium, and Ball Headquarters in West Chicago, as well as countless public and residential gardens in Wisconsin and in other states.
He’s known to many both here and abroad for introducing a unique style of expansive and colorful “meadow” planting — a roaring trend the past 20 years, surely spurred on by his book, The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden in 2014. But, the truth be told, if he’d had his druthers, he would have been a major league baseball player.
Berwyn in the ‘60s
At age seven, baseball was Diblik’s passion. “I loved it and I still love baseball. What I loved was it just seemed like you had to concentrate and think,
described his adolescent beginnings, through his prodigious life in the plant kingdom. I knew we had to bring this story to a wider audience.
It is with immense pleasure that I introduce the first installment of Roy’s personal memoir. The plants, the people, the places, all the things that have shaped this illustrious plantsman.
Rick Reuland, Editor
but then you had to act very quickly. Like basketball.” He grew up in Berwyn in the 1960s where many of his friends played alongside on the minor Little League team. And though he played most positions, center field was not his thing. “That’s when I realized I couldn’t judge a ball. I had to go back to infield where I could be part of the action.”
He has his parents to thank for instilling a love of the game and the great outdoors. “The dads back then coached and they all wanted you to do well. They wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, that’s ok,’ if you struck out. No, they’d explain how to do it better. Everybody got to play, but you wanted to win.” Winning involved carefully studying the other players and watching how they performed. That practice extended to studying plant performance over the years.
His father had played on a state championship baseball team as a kid and wanted to see his son and the other boys on the team excel. “Dads wanted you to learn the game—it wasn’t just time away from home or watching it on t.v.” Diblik admits that he had a hard
time hitting when he transferred to another school in seventh grade. “I think part of it was nervousness—all these new kids.” The coaching and guidance made a lasting impression, because Diblik has spent decades sharing his expertise, teaching and mentoring.
The Great Outdoors
Beyond the baseball field, it was the suburban ‘wilderness’ that called to Diblik and his pals who spent summers exploring two local cemeteries. “We could go through Woodlawn Cemetery to get to the Des Plaines River. Ok, now we’re in wilderness.”
Soil from grave sites was piled in a large mound that Diblik and friends called Volcano Hill. “We’d take our bikes up there and ride down. We had a lot of green space and adventures. And we didn’t get yelled at or chased out. And, no offense to old ladies, but they were the ones who would yell. The dads would be out there sitting on the porch in their t-shirts smoking or in the garage changing the oil. That was almost every dad I knew.”
The prairies called, too. “I was outside until Gunsmoke, Have Gun will Travel or The Lawman came on,” Diblik said with a chuckle. It wasn’t the violence on those programs— you didn’t see blood, but there was a distinction between good and bad.” From Oak Park Avenue to Harlem, the lots were empty. “It was prairie where we could play baseball or catch garter snakes and put them in boxes. I’d poke holes in the box and throw grass in there. But the mistake I made was bringing the box in the house and putting it by the dryer in the basement because I thought they’d be warmer.” His mother found them and wasn’t too excited, but she did promote his love of the outdoors.
For two weeks each year the family would go to Cumberland, Wisconsin, to fish. “In Berwyn, you saw the moon at night but not a whole lot of stars. But Wisconsin— the sky was littered with stars.” He’d lay on the pier with his mother and Leanne, his sister, and they’d admire the night sky. His father taught him how to run the motor on a 14-foot boat. “It was nice being out by myself. I could cast to the shoreline, watch things, and I’d have so much pride coming back with a bass or something, although by then my dad and uncle would have a stringer full of fish.”
(continued on page 18)
Special Feature —
(continued from page 17)
For another week during the year, his mother picked the vacation spot. “She took us everywhere—to all the national parks, Niagara Falls and Washington, DC. Her idea was that you have to leave the island, or the only decisions you’ll make are what you learned on the island. If you only have coconut trees, that’s the only food you’ll ever know.” The family visited Mineral Point and Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin one summer. “My mother loved walking the trails. We’d go walking while my dad sat in the car,” he recalled with a smile. When his mother died a few years ago, Diblik and his wife, Anna Maria León, went to Apple River
Canyon State Park, one of his mother’s favorite places, to celebrate her life. “She was the one who exposed me to all these areas, saying get outside, go out and do something.”
Children today are more managed, Diblik laments. “Parents are afraid they’ll be abducted. But when I was growing up you only had to worry about the half hour of news with Walter Cronkite or Huntley and Brinkley. After that it was cartoons. It wasn’t people amplifying their thoughts — it was just the news.” And the baseball scores.
To be continued…
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
Landscape Design for Energy
by Mark Dwyer
Tree huggers get it. The myriad benefits of trees in the landscape include the value of cooling our environments through shading contributions and evapotranspiration of water. Well-positioned trees in residential landscapes, while offering scale, beauty and function, can also help save homeowners money on both cooling and heating bills. The U.S. Department of Energy states that “carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy that a typical household uses.” With energy bills of perpetual concern for homeowners (heating and cooling compromise 50% of a household’s annual energy consumption), consider the value of intentional selection and placement of plant material to not only shade the home but maximize available solar access for warming in the winter. Screening and reducing winter wind velocity with windbreaks is an additional option.
Easier said...?
When I’m designing a landscape, consultations with the homeowner frequently include topics like the location of decks, patios, screening and other functional allocations to consider in the design process. Shading those areas of
congregation and gathering is certainly important. These discussions are essential but how often does the conversation progress to consider crafting a landscape that helps maximize energy efficiency of the residence and result in a significant return on investment? Designing for beauty will always be a goal but imagine design layouts that address how to specifically modify the climate around the home by reducing both heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Presenting and promoting landscape options that positively affect energy use year-round that further results in saving “energy dollars” for the homeowner is not a “hard sell”. Decreased energy demands will additionally reduce carbon dioxide emissions related to energy generation. The residential sector currently accounts for approximately 20% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions directly related to heating and cooling.
On those hot summer days, we naturally seek out shaded respites. The contributions of trees in shaded settings like parks can lower surrounding air temperatures between 9 to 12 degrees F. This is measurably significant. A great example of cooling amongst urban heat islands can be found in our parks (i.e. Central Park). The USDA Forest Service unsurprisingly offers this strong statement regarding trees: “By transpiring
Energy Efficiency
water, altering windspeeds, shading surfaces and modifying the storage and exchange of heat among urban surfaces, trees affect local climate and thereby influence thermal comfort and air quality.” When addressing how to positively affect energy use on the micro-scale for our clients, these landscape design tips are focused on addressing solar exposure of the structure for heating and cooling as well as modifying winds for maximum energy efficiency.
In the United States, 75% of homes have air conditioners that are providing cooling services at the annual expense of $29 billion. With variable weather patterns, concerns about global warming and fluctuating energy costs, the notion that the landscape can help mitigate annual expenses on energy use is something we should again be sharing with our clients. It’s estimated that 50% of the unwanted summer heat warming of our homes comes from sun shining through the windows. In the peak of summer, twice the solar energy comes through the east and west facing windows as opposed to windows to the south due to high sun angles. Do consider, however, that in those winter months, the winter sun reaching the structure is equally important for helping warm the home and reduce those heating bills. Observe the orientation of the home to identify those windows that would most benefit by
summer shading by deciduous trees that will later allow welcome solar energy access after losing foliage in autumn. More energy-efficient windows, overhangs and other shading strategies will also help lessen some solar inputs in the hotter months.
Practical options
Our roofs, sidewalks, driveways and other surfaces also absorb light and heat, thereby affecting the microclimate. This is where tree shading benefits are additionally effective. Tree shading has been proven to be the most cost-effective way to reduce solar heat gain on the structure and cut air conditioning bills. It’s of no surprise that the loss of a large shade tree in proximity to the home results in a significant increase in cooling bills. I remember reading about the impact on energy bills in those neighborhoods that lost their American elms (77 million) in the 1970s due to Dutch elm disease. The air conditioning bills for those neighborhoods skyrocketed after the loss of that beneficial shading. It’s likely that the significant loss of ash trees due to Emerald ash borer is having an effect as well. However, there is still a vast assortment of woody candidates for consideration to maximize shading benefits that as we know, come with time and patience!
(continued on page 22)
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 21)
The challenge with placement of trees in the landscape is not simply about location but considering the site, soils and other factors that might dictate specific
What works
Maples (Acer), honeylocust (Gleditsia), hybrid elms (Ulmus), lindens (Tilia), ginkgos (Ginkgo) and until recently, ash (Fraxinus) have been promoted
selections. Many of the studies regarding the best siting for medium to large trees for shading of windows and portions of the roof indicate 20-25’ from the structure. Placement closer to a corner (15’) is acceptable and while trees to the south may have ornamental merit, consider low solar angles in winter and the importance of winter sun reaching those windows. As mentioned above, shade provided from even larger trees to the south may have some value on roof shading but the shadows are cast fairly straight down with peak summer solar angles. Tree benefits increase over time and in the case of shading to the east and west of the structure, having deciduous selections that will extend 10’ and more above the height of the windows will have the most immediate and substantial impact over time. The number one priority placement for energy-efficient contributions from shade is to the west of the structure. Placement to the east is the next priority. The U.S. Department of Energy had indicated that the proper placement of three appropriate trees for shading can result in an average household savings of $100$250 annually.
as faster growing selections with good canopy coverage for shading. This is not an all-inclusive list as there are many other selections and if smaller, ornamental trees are desired, they can be placed closer to the home and still provide window shading benefits. The growth rate and mature size of any potential selection
should be considered. Evergreens close to the home, while providing welcome shade in the summer months, will provide that same shading (now unwelcome!) in the winter months. Maximizing solar exposure of the structure in winter is vital although the branching patterns of deciduous selections during dormancy will still cast shade and may block up to 1/3 of the desirable solar heat for winter warming. This “transmissivity” as it’s called, varies by species but is a consideration down the road as decisions are made to thin canopies or raise/alter tree crowns.
Two other considerations for energy savings related to landscaping closer to the home include foundation plants and the air conditioner. Air conditioners, when shaded, can have a 10-40% increase in efficiency which makes sense on those hottest of days. Maintaining air circulation around the unit and keeping the area tidy is important but do provide some shade for those units. Foundation plantings are always part of our design process but consider the value of these plantings in providing some insulation along the foundation and buffering those winter winds. Evergreen selections are particularly effective. Do provide space between plantings and the structure for air circulation and an avenue for maintenance.
(continued on page 25)
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 22)
Winter weather, while quite variable, can still be brutal on our landscapes, residences and heating bills. Those deciduous trees placed for summer shading will now be allowing sunlight to reach the roof and windows of the home to provide some welcome heating. Winter winds buffeting the home and infiltrating our door and window frames become challenging to manage. Home modifications to address proper insulation are common. However, consider the value of a windbreak in mitigating the unchallenged arctic breezes and their impact on heating bills.
Another option
A windbreak is a barrier of trees, typically arranged in multiple rows, that redirects and modifies the force of the wind. By absorbing the wind’s energy, a windbreak will deflect the wind to higher elevations and redirect horizontal airflow into random directions. You’ll see windbreaks extensively in agricultural areas where they serve the purpose of protecting the soil as well. In my area of Wisconsin, I see long, tall rows of white pines and Norway spruces in many areas that were planted over 50 years ago with the intent of challenging those damaging winter winds. Mature windbreaks can cut winter fuel consumption for heating by an average of 25-40%. Granted, in a smaller-
scaled residential landscape, there is limited space for larger windbreak systems but hedges and well-placed evergreens will deflect some wind. Cooling summer winds should always be accommodated in any situation so avoid overzealous blockages that create stagnant or limited air flow.
Windbreaks are common to the north and west of structures to address winter wind flow but still allow cooling summer breezes from the southwest. The extent of windbreak protection is proportional to the height of the windbreak which comes with time. The best buffer of protection occurs within the “envelope” of 4 to 5 times the height of the windbreak (i.e. a 40’ tall windbreak provides the best protection within 200’). Benefits have been measured within 30 times the height of the windbreak but also consider the importance of windbreak density and porosity and how that might fluctuate over time.
While a single row of spruces or pines (usually planted 15’ apart) would be functional, the danger is in the loss of any specimens or collective decline of a monoculture in time. The loss of lower limbs on older specimens is a concern as well. Multiple rows (2-5) of evergreens interspersed with deciduous shrubs of varying heights is the most effective combination. Spruces (Picea), pines
(Pinus), firs (Abies) are common candidates as are arborvitae (Thuja) in areas with minimal deer. Windbreaks typically include a row of shrubs to screen lower gaps but also catch snow. There are many references and manuals that give additional advice on proper windbreak formation. Wider windbreaks can also be managed to be beneficial to wildlife for food and shelter.
Energy-efficient landscape design, while still offering all the contributions of beauty and functionality for our clients, provides a low-cost solution to reducing energy consumption and saving our clients’ money. Energy-efficient landscaping can positively affect the energy performance of residences and these landscapes will ultimately provide enough energy savings to return the initial investment. Make “the sale.”
Planting to Combat Global Warming
by Christa Orum-Keller
NASA defines global warming as the long-term heating of Earth’s surface observed since the pre increase heattrapping greenhouse gas levels in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The data from NASA tells us that human activities have increased Earth’s global average temperature by about one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) and the temperature is anticipated to continue increasing by .2 degrees Celsius per decade. See the illustration below.
What warms the planet is the increase of greenhouse gases, including CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CO2 accounts for more than half of the total greenhouse gases.
Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide and it reduces the total carbon going into the atmosphere. Controlling global warming is dependent on both the reduction of greenhouse gases and increasing carbon sequestration.
In our industry, we recognize the valuable mitigation impacts of soil and plants, and their important role in sequestering carbon, but it’s important to consider other key choices we make which can have a meaningful impact.
Healthy soil acts as a significant carbon sink and recovering and protecting soil has the potential to sequester 5.5 billion tons CO2. More carbon is stored in the soil than in the atmosphere and vegetation combined. Some CO2 soil optimization tips include:
• Reduce soil disturbance including tilling, when possible; untilled grassland absorbs higher levels of CO2
• Add organic matter to your soil and mulch planting beds or leave debris in the planting beds
• Plant in tight connected patterns to cover the soil fully with vegetation
• Preserve or create grasslands
• Plant trees
(continued on page 28)
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 27)
It’s pretty clear that the greatest green industry action we can take to help sequester carbon will be to plant and integrate a forest into our larger landscape site plans, but grasslands or mixed grass and perennial plantings can have a measurable impact. Grasslands sequester most of their carbon deep underground in their root structure, so the deeper the roots, the greater the carbon sequestration. On the other hand, forests store CO2 in mostly wood and leaves and biomass; in a stable climate trees store more carbon than grasslands. (UC-Davis)
Everyone wants a beautiful landscape, but more and more often, clients’ motivation for improving their landscape, whether corporate or residential, involves more altruistic reasons such as pollinator preservation, biodiversity enhancement, saving Monarchs, or corporate sustainability values and initiatives, which can easily include carbon sequestration.
Whether your client specifically requests or is committed to reducing their carbon footprint or not, do your best to make choices which bring the global warming reduction results. Include these winning plant selections in your next project for CO2 sequestration success
Amorpha canescens
Liatris cylindracea
Andropogon gerardii — Big Bluestem
Quercus alba — White oak
Quercus macrocarpa — Bur oak
Silphium laciniatum
Native Prairie
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Event program as of press time.
PICK UP — 7:15 AM -8:15 and Vendor Fair
8:00 AM - 8:05 AM
Auditorium
Welcome
Brandon Losey, Alluvium Landscapes, ILCA Sustainable Committee Chair and
Start the day with a warm welcome from the Sustainable & Ecological Landscaping Committee Chair!
8:05 AM - 9:35 AM
Auditorium
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Prairie Garden Design Principles
Neil Diboll, Prairie Nursery
Auditorium
SENSE OF NO-PLACE: Intentional Naturalistic Garden-Making
Kevin Philip Williams, Denver Botanical Gardens
Over the past few decades thought-leaders and visionaries from around the world have brought us squarely into the golden age of naturalistic garden design. Our libraries are brimming with tomes that allow us to dissect, comprehend and translate designer gardens and natural beauty to our own spaces. But what’s next? Do we have a path forward? Is it possible to transcend the current zeitgeist of beauty and function? Is it even necessary? Kevin will explore concepts and strategies to elevate the conversation of naturalistic garden design to intentional worldbuilding through and offer ways that we can shatter and reinvent naturalistic planting design.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM — Break and Vendor Fair
11:00 AM - 12:PM
Room 101 A-B-C
Gas to Electric: Lessons from the Field
The interest in using native wildflowers, grasses and lowgrowing shrubs of the North American Prairie in gardens has been building for the past fifty years. What were once considered to be “weeds” are now recognized as essential members of a healthy landscape that requires little or no pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and when done correctly, reduced weeding. Of equal or greater benefit is the sustenance these adaptable plants provide to pollinators, birds, and a host of other wildlife and garden visitors that can delight us as much as the plants themselves.
Neil explains the ecological principles of prairie garden design, including the importance of understanding each plant’s root system, foliage structure, bloom time, and interactions with neighboring plants to create sustainable, long-lived, low maintenance ecologically sound prairie gardens. The best flowers and grasses for urban and suburban gardens are presented for a variety of different soil conditions. Dig deep into the fascinating world of prairie plants and how they can add beauty and value to your gardens!
Brandon Haley, SSC Services and Board of Directors for the Professional Grounds Management Society
As equipment in landscaping continually evolves into electric, is your operation ready? This presentation will teach you how to determine the true cost of both electric and combustion engine equipment to see if battery technology fits your company’s needs. It will also teach you strategies to ensure that you are successful in transitioning your fleet to battery. Battery management, including the tough question of how many batteries do I need, will be discussed at length. We will also discuss charging infrastructure and shop setup in an effort to make your switch successful!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Auditorium
Show Me the Numbers: The How and How Much of Sustainable Landscapes
9:35 AM - 9:45 AM — Break and Vendor Fair
Gerardo Trujillo, Openlands; Sarah Surroz, Openlands; John Mariani , LandServe LLC
For the past year, planning has been underway to provide the landscaping industry with a wealth of information over time from four residential sites that feature traditional aesthetics and showcase ecologically sustainable landscaping. Landscape contractors are invited to draw upon this project’s demonstrations and data when considering ways to benefit from the growing market for sustainable landscapes. In this session, the first set of highly anticipated materials will be shared
and discussed, including landscape design plans, plant lists, product lists, installation and maintenance budgets, and talking points. Participants will also be the first to receive access to the project’s URL.
ILCA is collaborating on this project with Openlands, a 60-year-old nationally accredited land conservation nonprofit which conducted an extensive market research listening tour to determine how it could best support landscape contractors interested in ecologically sustainable landscaping. This project results from that effort. Openlands has engaged renowned registered landscape architect John Mariani of LandServe LLC for planning and design.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM — LUNCH
Atrium and Room 101 A-B-C
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
Room 101 A-B-C
Roundtable Discussions
Attendees will participate in three 15 minute small group discussions on topics of their choice. Each small group will have a content expert to guide the discussion and take notes.
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM
Auditorium
Future of the Landscape
Industry: Panel
Discussion
Moderated by: Angela Bowman, Yellowstone
Panel: Kevin Williams, Roy Diblik, Jerry Wilhelm, and Neil Diboll
Speakers will provide their thoughts on where the landscape industry is heading, then take questions from the audience on the future of this industry.
2:50 PM - 3:05 PM — Break and Vendor Fair
12:05 PM – 3:55 PM
Auditorium
Coming To Know Healthy Soil
Roy Diblik, Northwinds Farm and Jerry Wilhelm, Conservation Research Institute
Join experts Roy Diblik and Dr. Gerould Wilhelm to learn about:
• Healthy soil with bacteria, microorganisms, and insects
• Building your dream prairie garden
• Key elements in landscape design and plant combinations
Sponsors
Premier Sponsor
Session Sponsors
Plantar para combatir el calentamiento global
por Christa Orum-Keller
LaNASA define el calentamiento Global como el calentamiento a largo plazo de la superficie de la Tierra, observado desde el período preindustrial (entre 1850 y 1900) y señala las actividades humanas como causa. Estas actividades aumentan los niveles de gases de efecto invernadero con capacidad de retener calor en la atmósfera de la Tierra.
Los datos de la NASA nos indican que las actividades humanas han aumentado la temperatura media global de la Tierra en aproximadamente 1 grado Celsius (1.8 grados Fahrenheit) y se anticipa que la temperatura continuará aumentando más de 0.2 grados Celsius cada década. Ver la ilustración abajo.
Lo que calienta el planeta es el aumento de gases de invernadero, incluyendo dióxido de carbono (CO2), metano, óxido nitroso y clorofluorocarburos (CFC). El CO2 representa más de la mitad del total de los gases de efecto invernadero.
El secuestro de carbono es el proceso de captura y almacenamiento de dióxido de carbono atmosférico y reduce el total de
carbono que entra en la atmósfera. El control del calentamiento global depende tanto de la reducción de los gases de efecto invernadero como del incremento del secuestro de carbono.
En nuestra industria, reconocemos los valiosos impactos de mitigación en el suelo y las plantas y su importante papel en el secuestro de carbono, pero es importante considerar otras decisiones clave que hacemos que pueden tener un impacto significativo.
Los suelos sanos actúan como un sumidero de carbono significativo y recuperar y proteger los suelos tiene el potencial de secuestrar 5.500 millones de toneladas de CO2. Más carbono se almacena en el suelo que en la atmósfera y la vegetación combinadas. Estos son algunos consejos para la optimización de suelos para CO2:
• Reducir las alteraciones del suelo, incluyendo labrar, cuando sea posible; los pastizales sin labrar absorben niveles más altos de CO2
• Agregar materia orgánica al suelo y cubrir con mantilla las camas de siembra o dejar materias de desecho en las camas de siembra
• Plantar en patrones estrechamente conectados para cubrir el suelo completamente con vegetación
• Preservar o crear pastizales
• Plantar árboles
Es claro que la mejor acción que podemos tomar en la industria verde para ayudar a secuestrar carbono será plantar e integrar un denso arbolado en nuestros planes del sitio paisajístico más grandes, pero pastizales o pasto mixto y plantar plantas perennes puede tener un impacto mensurable. Los pastizales secuestran la mayor parte de su carbono muy profundamente bajo tierra en su estructura de raíces, por lo que mientras más profundas las raíces, mayor será el secuestro de carbono. Por otro lado, los arbolados almacenan CO2 mayormente en maderas y hojas y biomasa; en un clima estable, los árboles almacenan más carbono que los pastizales. (UC Davis)
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TODOS JUNTOS MEJOR.
Todos desean un paisaje hermoso, pero cada vez con más frecuencia, la motivación de los clientes para mejorar sus jardines, sean corporativos o residenciales, involucra motivos más altruistas tales como preservación de polinizadores, incremento de la biodiversidad, salvar mariposas Monarca o valores e iniciativas corporativas de sostenibilidad, que fácilmente pueden incluir el secuestro de carbono.
Ya sea que su cliente específicamente solicite o esté comprometido con reducir su huella de carbono o no, haga todo lo posibles para tomar decisiones que tengan como resultado la reducción del calentamiento global. Incluya estas selecciones de plantas ganadoras en su próximo proyecto para el éxito del secuestro del CO2.
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
A Growing Experiment with Bur Testing Resiliency in Climate
by Heather Prince
How adaptable are bur oaks? The Morton Arboretum is collaborating with researchers at the University of Minnesota, the University of Oklahoma, Duke University, the Fort Collins Science Center, and the U.S. National Phenology Network to study the iconic bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa). As part of a five-year National Science Foundation grant, scientists have planted three oak common gardens at the Arboretum, in Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Oklahoma to see how these stately trees survive the rigors of climate across the U.S.
Dr. Andew Hipp, director of the Herbarium and senior scientist in plant systematics, leads the team at the Arboretum. We sat down to talk about this unique research project and what they hope to learn from one of our iconic Midwestern trees.
How Do Bur Oaks Perform?
The experiment is focused on local adaptation and determining how bur oaks perform across a wide range of soils, temperatures, and moisture. “Do they perform best in their home environments relative to the others?” said Hipp. “One thing that we’re finding is that all of the trees have performed best at The Morton Arboretum, and we think that’s because of a couple of things. One is the soils here are very rich compared to both the Oklahoma and the Minnesota collections.”
Wild-grown acorns were collected at each site in 2019 and the first ones planted in 2021, with a second batch planted in 2023. A total of 1,000 young trees have been planted on one-meter centers, with 300 saplings grown in
Bur Oaks: Climate Change
reserve to replace any losses due to death in the first or second season. The sites are fenced from deer browsing. The saplings are watered the first and second years and mulched to keep weeds at a minimum. After that, the trees are on their own. Each site has a set of oaks from Illinois, Oklahoma, and Minnesota. “We collected multiple acorns from multiple mother trees from each of multiple sites,” reported Hipp. “We’re endeavoring to grow 10 seedlings from each mother tree at each of the gardens, so that every mother tree has contributed seedlings to all three areas. This means we can ask whether or not a tree that produces acorns in Oklahoma fares better in Oklahoma or does it do better in Illinois or Minnesota and vice versa.”
From the very beginning, there were marked differences in the acorns collected from each state. The acorns from Oklahoma were huge, about the size of a 50-cent piece, whereas the Minnesota acorns were closer to nickel or quarter-sized. This played out in the field, as the Oklahoma seedlings took off the fastest. “With those large acorns comes a huge provisioning of resources from the mother tree,” observed Hipp. “We could see the maternal effects right away in the garden. The Oklahoma trees were able to grow faster. Now that we’re a couple of years in, we’re seeing some of that growth difference balancing out. The leaves, however, are still showing the characteristic very deep lobing of Oklahoma, versus the lobing as you go northward. And that’s typical of the species.”
(continued on page 42)
Focus — Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 41)
Another piece of the experiment is measuring the organisms that depend on oaks, asking whether the oak genotypes of different regions promote different suites of insects and fungi. “Do the oaks respond differently to the fungi that are in the soils, to the insects that are in the respective environments, and the fungi that colonize their leaves?” asked Hipp. “We’ll be looking at mycorrhizal fungi. We’ll be looking at endophytic fungi, the fungi that live inside both the roots and the leaves. It could well be that local trees are better able to take advantage of local mycorrhizal fungi since they have adapted to them. And we’ll also be looking at chewing insects – the amount of chewing, the number of gall wasps that colonize each tree, and the diversity of those wasps. It may be that local insects are better able to take advantage of local trees.”
Diverse Genetics
In addition, the experiment is also doing genome sequencing on 700 trees across the range of bur oak and cooccurring species to understand the gene flow between oak species, which have a tendency to hybridize. “We’ll also get a scattering of pictures across the genome for all 1,000 individuals in the Morton Arboretum’s garden.” said Hipp. “It will allow us to say, is this individual a relatively pure bur oak, or does it have a lot of eastern white oak or swamp white oak mixed in with it?” “We can then assess whether or not this gene flow is beneficial to the trees. We suspect that it is.” In our era of climate change, trees are required to adapt or succumb to myriad stresses. “We’re ramping up temperatures at a ferocious rate. How will trees survive?
How rapidly will they evolve? And how rapidly can they move? This experiment will give us information about the standing genetic variation in populations. How much genetic diversity is within populations? That’s a key question you have to answer to know how rapidly they’ll evolve.”
Even at a young age, the common garden of oaks are yielding interesting results. “We are already seeing performance differences,” reported Hipp. “We are already seeing that the Oklahoma trees seem to do very well everywhere. Oklahoma is also the hardest environment for all of the trees, with hot, dry summers and brutal winters. So that’s striking already.”
Why is this bur oak common garden a benefit to home gardeners and landscape professionals? It’s helping to determine what trees to plant now that will still be thriving decades down the road. Plus, it helps inform us as to how important oaks are to our urban forests and natural areas. “What trees should we plant that will survive well in our environment, as it’s going to look 80 years from now?” asked Hipp. “The Oklahoma set of trees approximates what our local climate is drifting toward over the next century. Will those trees be adapted to our climate here, or will they be frozen out in winter? Bur oak is particularly well equipped to address these questions, because it’s a wideranging species. You find it from Manitoba down to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Black Hills out to the northeast. It’ll grow in dry savannas, bottomland forests, and prairie edges. It’s ecologically and genetically variable. It also has the opportunity to hybridize with at least a half a dozen species across this range. And from our data and data that’s been collected by others, it takes advantage of some of those opportunities.”
Oaks are shaping up to be a key species not only as structural shade trees in our landscapes, but also as havens for an incredible diversity of wildlife. “The ultimate question we want to understand is how oaks shape biodiversity,” said Hipp. “Because oaks are phenomenally important. (continued on page 44)
Shingle Oak
Autumn Blaze Maple 2” – 4” October Glory Maple
Bur Oak
Red Pointe Maple 2” – 4”
Worplesdon Sweetgum
Princeton Elm
Willow Oak
Armstrong Maple 2” – 4”
Tulip Poplar
Heritage Birch, Single Stem
Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 42)
“One study looking at the English oak estimated over 2,200 species depend on that. And that species (Quercus robur) lives in an oak-depauperate landscape compared to what we have here in North America. We’ve got 90 species, Mexico has about 160 species, and worldwide there are about 425. As a consequence, oaks disproportionately impact their landscapes. Moreover, they’ve been doing so for a long time. Oaks have been in North America for at least 48 million years. The genus first shows up in the fossil record at about 56 million years ago. So, this is a genus that has done very, very well and is shaping our forests. There’s higher species diversity, higher biomass, in the oaks of North America than in any other tree genus in North America, and the same is true of Mexico.”
(continued on page 46)
Mainstream Sustainability
(continued from page 44)
What practical good is this garden in our changing world? “We need to do what we can about climate change,” said Hipp, “as individuals and as a political body, but we also need to make plans for the world as we expect it to be.” The bur oak common garden is a way of doing just that. We’re looking forward to seeing how the bur oak common garden evolves and adapts to its site at The Morton Arboretum. In the meantime, treasure and care for our mature oaks as they support our wildlife and bring us great joy in their architectural forms. Today is a good day to plant an oak tree.
Revel in an infinite selection of over 15,000 trees, 35,000 shrubs, 100,000 perennials, and 500 varieties at our 650-acre farm.
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7200 S. Madison · Willowbrook, IL 60527 630-323-1411
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li6AYguTrs8 Little Rock Farm 2353 Creek Road · Plano, IL 60545 630-552-8314
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Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock .
Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.
We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock .
Growers & Distributors of Quality Nursery Stock
Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.
We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock. Cedar Path Nurseries is conveniently located in Lockport to serve our clients.
Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Not only are we your onestop -shop, but we are sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.
We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock .
Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.
We are the premier shade tree grower in the Chicagoland area with of 400 acres of quality field-grown nursery stock . Cedar Path Nurseries has two conveniently located sales yards, Lockport and Barrington, to better serve our clients.
Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Not only are we your onestop-shop, but we are sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.
Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and ground covers. We are, not only your one-stop shop, but we are also sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.
Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Not only are we your onestop-shop, but we are sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.
Cedar Path Nurseries carries a full line of B&B trees and shrubs, container shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. Not only are we your onestop-shop, but we are sourcing experts. We look forward to assisting on your next project.
Lockport, Illinois
15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838
15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838
Barrington, Illinois
Barrington, Illinois
Barrington, Illinois
190 W. Penny Road, Barrington, IL 60010 Office 847.551.3700 | Fax 847.551.3707
190 W. Penny Road, Barrington, IL 60010 Office 847.551.3700 | Fax 847.551.3707
15235 W. Bruce Road, Lockport, IL 60491 Office 815.838- 4900 |Fax 815.838.4999 Barrington, Illinois
SALES@CEDARPATH.NET | WWW.CEDARPATH.NET
Special Feature
Going Full Circle Transforming landscape waste into compost
by Nina A. Koziol
If there was ever a magic bullet, it should be compost. That dark, crumbly organic matter is super at promoting moisture retention and opening up soil structure. It aids aeration and remediates soils that surrounding many new construction sites left with miserable clay or hard pack. Try seeding or planting or laying sod on that without amending and you know the outcome.
“New landscapes around new construction have soils that are thin and degraded, stored in large mounds offsite and then brought back after construction and grading is completed,” explained Vytas Pabedinskas, Soil Scientist with Save our Soil, LLC.
“The soil put back into the landscape never really recovers its organic matter content and new plantings do struggle getting established. The addition of compost with new or replacement plantings has been shown to improve establishment and longevity of the plants. Side-dressing plants already in the landscape is a benefit because compost will recharge the organic matter, which over time does decrease around perennials, shrubs and trees.”
and Mike DiMucci of Garden Prairie Organics in Garden Prairie, Illinois.
What role does compost play in correcting or helping remediate a poor soil?
VP: Rejuvenating weak, lifeless soils that lack organic matter is a job for compost. A poor soil would be one that lacks structure and organic matter. It is light in color, can be high in clay, cracks easily when dry, prone to ponding after rain events due to poor infiltration. Compost added to the soil provides organic matter. The messy breakdown of the organic
organic matter is charged and can hold onto nutrients while supplying nutrients during its slow decomposition. Water is held in the micropores keeping the soil moist.
BK: If you have a healthier soil whatever you plant is going to survive better — whether it’s turf grass, a park district field, a sports field or plantings around a facility. If the soil is healthier that plant will be healthy. Once that healthier soil is established you get additional benefits beyond turf or plant health. In a restored soil natural chemistry is happening, so the amount and types of chemical additives needed will decrease, and this reduces human exposures.”
We put together a panel of experts to tell us a bit more as we explore compost and recycling: Vytas Pabedinskas, joined Benjamin Krumstok, M.D., President, Composting Partners and Executive Director, Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition, Ryan Anderson, independent consultant, (formerly IPM Institute of North America),
matter by microbes acts like a glue to hold soil particles together giving the soil granular structure and dark color. The
MD: Compost helps control erosion because of the water retention capabilities. Studies say it holds 10 times its weight in water but won’t clump up. It also stimulates seeds to root in, grow a little faster and stop erosion sooner.
Is all commercial compost equal?
VP: Not all composts are created equal and not all composts can be used in every context. But all composts should be coming from facilities that can provide the end user valid testing values (Seal of Testing Assurance from the US Composting Council, for example) that list important details like nitrogen and phosphorus content, moisture content, bulk density, pH, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and particle size breakdown.
(continued on page 50)
Special Feature
(continued from page 48)
MD: Landscapers need a product that’s worthy to put out on their jobs. And that’s important to have a standardization [for compost] and that’s what we’re promoting with the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition — a national standard for compost production. Right now there’s pretty rigorous testing and there’s a safety factor in there. (See Regulations and Resources on page 54.)
Are more landscapers using compost?
MD: Demand has increased to a certain respect. I see more landscapers that are bringing waste material to us or looking for compost in lieu of black dirt or top soil. They use all three terms interchangeably. I’d rather have people know it as compost — not dirt. Landscapers want something they’re proud of.
Doesn’t compost eventually disappear from the soil and need replacing?
VP: Soil is not a lifeless, inert space where plants put their roots. It is a dynamic space with a lot of moving parts and organic matter is regularly created — plant roots dying off, leaky roots and their exudates, dead organisms, breakdown of dead material that falls on the surface and is consumed— decomposition and breakdown physically, chemically, and biologically. There is a lot of turnover. In natural systems, there can be a net balance where organic matter is built up and kept at high levels, but in managed systems like a frequently mowed lawn there are stressors that impact the generation and accumulation of organic matter. Compost is meant to recharge those levels — it is meant to be a consumable.
Food scraps make up nearly 3.8 million tons of waste in Illinois each year. How much goes to regulated compost facilities?
MD: We do a residual amount of food scrap composting at this point. It’s a different animal to handle. A lot of us, by law, can take up to 10 percent of food waste — we’re doing a little bit of it. Some composters take more food waste than others. And, there are curbside programs where residents can compost food with their yard waste and that goes out to the processors. (See: https://illinoiscomposts.org/)
level. There is no universal percentage of organic matter that I could recommend, but I leave it to managers to establish what is appropriate for their soils. A healthy soil has organic matter and plants contribute a lot of it. Compost is not the only source for organic material, but it can be a supplement when stressed plants in a managed system are unable to maintain a healthy baseline.
(Note: You can find a list of soil testing labs here: https://extension.illinois.edu/ soil/soil-test-labs)
Like pulverized topsoil, is there a certain compost texture to look for?
VP: Composts can be chunky and have the appearance of wood chip mulch that can be used to build berms to hold in soil on a construction site. Or, composts can be fine and flow easily through onequarter-inch screens and be top-dressed in a thin layer over an existing stand of turf on a sports field. The important thing is to test for organic matter content in the soil every few years and maintain a baseline
What can landscapers do with their landscape waste?
MD: Landscape waste has been banned from landfills [in Illinois] since 1990. It’s frustrating because some landscapers throw it on their back 40 or send it to someone who’s not licensed to take it. It has to go to a licensed IEPA (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) yard waste compost facility or a transfer station.
(Note: For a list of sellers and more: https://illinoiscomposts.org/resources/ where-to-buy-finishedcompost/)
BK: “If anyone wants to learn more or has questions including what to do with the material, compost standards and quality, municipal compost use policies, or how to spec compost, we have a talent pool in the IFSCC. There are numerous resources on our web site. If there’s an opportunity to help please contact us.”
(Note: The IEPA has a permit application process for managing waste, including landscape waste: https://epa. illinois.gov/topics/forms/land-forms/ permit-forms/pa16.html)
(continued on page 52)
(continued from page 50)
Compost at Work
Chicago’s Ray Elementary School began an effort to renovate its schoolyard in 2019. Soil tests indicated very low organic matter and highly compacted soil. “This is typical of urban areas and grass can’t grow well even when you’re using commercial 4- or 5-step programs with chemical,” Ryan Anderson said. “The goal was to improve soil organic matter and decrease compaction. The grass has improved dramatically where it had never grown before. We got a full stand of grass without using any synthetic chemicals. Now they’re doing mow only. Each year we come back and compost top dress.”
A recent soil test gave impressive numbers about the amount of organic matter they were able to increase. In 2022, the organic matter in the schoolyard was 4.3% and after the addition of about one-half inch of compost it’s increased to 7.5% in 2024. “All the other nutrients have gone up too. They had 27 ppm of phosphorous and it went up. We’ve been very happy with the results. Our recom-
mendation is for fall application, but you can also do it in spring. If you mow and recycle the clippings you add organic matter, but the main reason the field was established is that compost increases the porosity of the soil — it did a great job of that. The grass couldn’t put its roots in the soil. An aeration in the beginning helped get those deeper roots.”
See more at Midwest Grows Green https://midwestgrowsgreen.org/mgg-technical-assistance-program-in-action-rayelementary-school/
Regulations:
According to the IEPA’s public information office, “composting waste onsite does not require a state permit. Additionally, pursuant to Section 21(q) (1.5) any person can compost off-site waste without a permit IF: they have less than 25 cubic yard total (landscape waste + compost + additives) at all times; and they are not engaging in a commercial activity. (Note: So yes, you will need a permit if you have more than the 25 cubic yard total.)
(continued on page 54)
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Kuenzi Turf & Nursery
6475 State Street
Salem, OR 97317
(800) 285-8337
www.kuenziturfnursery.com
by Meta L. Levin
It started in 1991 with an Oregon based small sod farm and production nursery. Actually, it began long before that, because Kuenzi Turf & Nursery owner Myron Kuenzi grew up on a grass seed production farm, which, if you’ll excuse the pun, planted the seed for his current business.
Kuenzi holds a degree in accounting and is a CPA. His path wound through a professional accounting firm, work for several companies, including a lumber company, as well as president and general manager of a large corporation, which he led through a reorganization. Eventually he returned to his roots.
The nursery he built now is transitioning from first to second generation. Son Josh Kuenzi over sees the sod division, equipment and facilities maintenance. Another son, Zach Kuenzi, is returning to the business, focusing on sales, and marketing. And a nephew, Tyler Kuenzi, is the general manager.
In the beginning, the company produced sod on 35 acres with three employees and has continued to grow and expand.
Now Kuenzi Turf & Nursery has more than 500 acres in production and 75 employees. It grows deciduous bare root trees, Japanese Maples and specimen shade trees, as well as turf and sod.
Of the company’s income, about 20 percent comes from the sod farm; 60 percent is the tree liner crop grown for others and 20 percent are trees sold wholesale to landscape contractors and
re-wholesale in the tree trade.
Kuenzi Turf & Nursery is based in Salem, OR, where, says Kuenzi, they can dig year around. He finds this valuable, as he can watch how the trees grow and mature. They deliver their tree liner crop throughout the Northern Tier of the United States and parts of Canada.
Kuenzi Turf & Nursery began to grow the tree liners for its own use, then gradually extended that to customers, beginning in Chicago. “I saw that some varieties of the bare root trees did not grow well (in the target markets),” he says. The company’s tree production uses in ground 10-inch fabric bags, which he believes solves this transplant problem. Using field soil in the in-ground fabric bags has been effective. In fact, one customer told him, “I have never had to prune an Oak tree in the first year before.”
“The process allows for faster inventory turnover for our customers - two to three years, instead of five,” says Kuenzi. “Because it allows the root system to quickly establish,” as well as the good caliper size built in the in-ground fabric bag.
Kuenzi still does some bare root but concentrates on the tree liners with the High Caliper in-ground fabric bags, which he thinks does a better job.
The nursery also focuses on attention to the environment, primarily soil health and water usage. For two years between tree liner crops, they plant sudan grass as a cover crop to regenerate
organic matter in the soil. They use drip irrigation in tree production to save water and fertilizer application. Equipment with tracks reduces compaction during harvest.
In 1991 Kuenzi employed three people. Now, it is more like 75, including bringing in contract labor during the peak season.
The company has a history of retaining its employees. Customer service lead Amanda Hernandez has worked there for nine years. “She has good IT and customer service skills, and is learning about the tree business,” says Kuenzi.
Luis Tellez is the lead field and greenhouse production manager. “He is a fantastic guy,” says Kuenzi. “We have learned a lot of things together.” Tellez, a 20-year veteran with the nursery, engaged in tree liner growth from the beginning.
Sarah Kuenzi, the accountant and bookkeeper, has been with the company since before she was out of high school. In fact, she helped in 1991 when the company began.
Kuenzi points to involvement in IGIA and now ILCA, as well as other associations, as integral to his business. “I want to give back,” he says. “Together we are more successful than independently. Together we can accomplish more.”
Midwest’s premier nursery growing since 1985.
500+ quality cultivars of shade, ornamental, & evergreen trees as well as container plants.
Quality grown mix of perennials and shrubs. Allium, Coneflower, Daylily, Hydrangea, Boxwood, and Lilac, just to name a few!
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Manager Division ManagerSouth Suburbs & NWI
This full-time, senior-level position handles the day-to-day operations of the maintenance division.
Responsibilities include scheduling, hiring, client retention, estimates, overseeing account managers, maintenance budget, and other duties as assigned. (Suburban Landscaping employs a team management concept with cross-training and mutual support.)
The experience required is a minimum of 5 years in the green industry in a managerial position. The ideal applicant would have performed some or all of these tasks at another landscape company in a similar role.
Financial compensation will be discussed during the interview. The position includes all usual benefits including health & dental insurance, company vehicle, and profit sharing.
How to apply: Email info@suburbanlandscaping.net
Client Care Manager Position(s)
Milieu Landscaping has immediate openings for Client Care Managers. The Client Care Manager position at Milieu performs sales and production management for residential and commercial clients. This position sells Milieu’s services in an upscale territory by providing horticultural recommendations, creative designs, proposals, and presentations.
This individual will be able to grow a territory with excellent marketing and advertising support.
The ideal candidate should have knowledge in landscape design, build, and maintenance of green spaces. This experience should include design, estimating, horticulture knowledge, turf care knowledge, procurement, scheduling, and installation capabilities. College students pursuing their degree/certification in the landscape industry are encouraged to apply.
Milieu Landscaping is hiring for this season, as well as the 2025 season. Applicants will have the option for an 8-12 month position.
Milieu is an ascending organization dedicated to the growth of our staff and clients. This position will be based in our new, state-of-the-art Lake Zurich facility.
How To Apply: Email jobs@millieuland.com
Estimator/Account Representative
Clarence Davids & Company, an award-winning landscape architecture design-build firm, has an opening for an estimator/account representative at the Plainfield, Illinois branch office. This full-time employee will become an integral part of the sales team and be responsible for responding to clients’ needs in a professional manner.
OPEN POSITIONS:
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HELP WANTED
Clarence Davids & Company was established in 1951 and specializes in landscape management, seasonal rotations, and design/build landscape construction. The company has three offices: Matteson, Illinois (Corporate), Plainfield, Illinois, and Ingleside, Illinois. More information can be found online at www.clarencedavids.com
Qualifications:
- Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, or related field preferred
- Experience in landscape sales and estimating preferred
- Good knowledge of annuals, perennials, and woody plants
HELP WANTED
- Ability to work independently Interested applicants should send a resume to:
Brian McAnally brian.mcanally@clarencedavids.com
Clarence Davids & Company 23900 W. 127th Street Plainfield, IL 60585
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“HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES
Submit your ads online at ilca.net
HELP WANTED
CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES
November 2024 issue ads: October 15, 2024 Decemberber 2024 issue ads: Nov. 15, 2024
PLEASE NOTE:
“HELP WANTED” AD SALES ARE LIMITED TO ILCA MEMBER COMPANIES Magazine Cost is $5 per line Minimum charge $50 Website Cost is $12 per line Minimum charge $120 (About 6 words/line)
Submit your ads online at ilca.net or Call Alycia Nagy (630) 472-2851
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Inspiration Alley
Editor’s Note: Over time, we run across a mountain of fun, innovative, and generally creative ideas. They don’t always fit with the magazine content, but we do collect them for some future use. This brings us to Inspiration Alley, a place where we display pure creativity. It’s up to you to judge the merit of each offering. So use it, lose it or be inspired to try something different.
Fire ‘em Up!
By Nina A. Koziol
The days are warm and sunny but the nights have turned quite cool. A killing frost is not far off. For Jose Bravo, of The Bravos Landscape in Lake Bluff, a fire pit gives his clients the outdoor space they deserve throughout the year. Whether they’re spending time with family, or entertaining friends, there’s a bond and memories made around a crackling fire.
The Peerless Paperbark Maple
By Mark Dwyer
There are few rivals for the majesty of the peeling, curling, reddish, cinnamon-orange bark of the paperbark maple (Acer griseum). Conspicuous throughout the growing season but dramatically pronounced in the winter months, the ornamental bark of this small tree is significant year-round. Native to mixed forests in central and eastern China at elevations between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, this tree was collected and brought to England by E.H. Wilson in 1899 and was distributed and introduced to Europe in 1901. Two seedlings made it to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston in 1907 and subsequent collecting expeditions have located other fragmented and endangered populations in China.
This slow-growing, oval-rounded tree reaches 20-30’ in height with a width of 15-25’. The compact habit is relatively open with upright branching. Most of the older specimens I’ve seen in the Midwest are shy of 20’ in height with a similar width. Paperbark maple has proven itself as an excellent smaller landscape specimen and woodland understory focal point (tolerates shade). I’ve noticed the newer paperbark maple selections of Fireburst® and Copper Rocket® from J. Frank Schmidt Nursery (Boring, OR) but have not grown or observed them personally (yet!).
The compound, trifoliate (three-lobed) leaves of this maple are dark green with glaucous, silvery-gray undersides (griseum meaning “grey”). Fall color comes late but can be an exceptional orange to red and is surprisingly vivid even in shadier locations. Moist but well-drained soil is vital (how often do we hear that!) although paperbark maple is widely adaptable to pH and various soil conditions (even clay!). This species is
susceptible to verticillium wilt but has few insect and disease problems overall.
I’ve successfully grown paperbark maples in southern Wisconsin and lost a few with the harshest of winters to be honest. Hardiness is typically listed as USDA z 4-8 although I’ve observed significant damage with every pronounced and extended polar vortex in our area of Wisconsin (z5). Having said that, I’ve seen amazing specimens in the Chicago area and further south. The Chicago Botanic Garden has some impressive specimens (visit the Japanese garden!). There are also many sizable paperbark maples around the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) campus.
The decorative, exfoliating bark is what really steals the show, particularly during those long winter months. Younger specimens and the outer branches and stems of more mature specimens will feature more pronounced curling and peeling to reveal the warm tones of russet, cinnamon, orange and red. The exfoliating bark clings well as opposed to other exfoliating species that may lose bark consistently. When the sun hits the peeling bark just right, a glowing, translucent effect catches the eye. The bark becomes fissured with age but still has plenty of color. This tree has won the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society and a Gold Medal Plant Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. While availability and pricing fluctuates (uncommon and not inexpensive) this tree is worth seeking out more frequently for those perfect locations where impact is essential.
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