The Landscape Contractor magazine December 2016 Digital Edition by Association Publishing Partners

MIDWEST TRADING HORTICULTURAL SUPPLIES, INC.Â® a Midwest-Orum Company

December 2016

CONTENTS

Excellence In Landscape Awards Project

FOCUS: Year End Business News

The Impending Payroll Threshold Crisis 10 You may think you understand this, guess again

A Little Background on the Sales Tax Issue 16 This will impact the landscape business ILCA Pruning Workshop 20 Rock-steady event, enjoys best ever weather

Handshakes and Comedy and Drones...Oh my! 22 Education Committee does it again with iLandscape Awards Committee Chair Profile Brian Jordison of James Martin Associates

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape Topiarius project is bold by design

2016 ILCA Annual Party & Member Meeting Event continues to break attendance records

Member Profile 52 TS Landscaping LLC

Sustainable Landscape Calendar December 12 Months of sustainable landscape tips

Plant All-Stars 62 Cataegus-crusgali — Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn

EN ESPAÑOL

iLandscape 2017 — Branching Out Part 3 se está ramificando para 2017 46

On the cover... This project designed and built by Mariani Landscape enhances the spirit of the seaon. Photo by Linda Oyama Bryan. The Landscape Contractor December 2016

62 3

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS ILCA Calendar From Where I Stand President’s Message New Members Classified Ads Advertisers Index Photo Credits Linda Oyama Bryan ILCA Awards Program Rick Reuland Topiarius TS Landscaping LLC Kaneville Tree Farms

Calendar

4 5 7 54 58 61

DECEMBER December 14-15 AutoCAD to Photoshop Workshop NIU Conference Center Hoffman Estates, IL

1 8-9 20, 38-45 30-37 52 62

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

February 1-3, 2017

Volume 57, Number 12. 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.

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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

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PRODUCT DISCLAIMER: The Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, its Board of Directors, the Magazine Committee, ILCA Staff, The Landscape Contractor and its staff, neither endorse any products nor attest to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication.

February 23, 2017 Hardscape Illinois ILCA Staff

Magazine Staff

Executive Director Scott Grams (630) 472-2851 sgrams@ilca.net

Rick Reuland Publisher/Advertising Sales (630) 637-8632 rmgi@comcast.net

Education Manager Julie Nicoll jnicoll@ilca.net

Debbie Rauen Advertising Sales (817-501-2403) debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

Events Manager Terre Houte thoute@ilca.net Office Manager Alycia O’Connor aoconnor@ilca.net Membership & Marketing Coordinator Marissa Stubler mstubler@ilca.net

ILCA 2625 Butterfield Road Ste. 104S Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 472-2851 • Fax (630) 472-3150 www.ilca.net

v Becke Davis Senior Writer treethyme@aol.com Patrice Peltier Feature Writer patpeltier@charter.net

MARCH March 2-3, 2017 Foremanship Seminar March 16-17, 2017 Field Staff Skills Training

Meta Levin Feature Writer meta.levin@comcast.net Barbara Dutton Feature Writer Nina Koziol Feature Writer

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

@ILCAlandscape

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From Where I Stand — The Little Ice Age was a period of cooling that occurred after an unusually warm period over 700 years ago. Although not a true ice age, it impacted almost the entire globe for a period of 550 years with its coldest intervals lasting from 1650 to about 1770. Now, the Little Ice Age predated the Industrial Revolution so cooling cannot be blamed on human action. This was a cyclical change to the climate that was no one’s fault. In 1650, there was probably some finger pointing, but was likely chalked up to witches. The fact is, the earth cooled and we just had to wait around for it to warm again. People wore heavier coats, changed their lifestyles, and life went on. Speaking of forecasts, the 2016 economic forecast for the landscape industry was flat to down. Most blamed the election and there is data to back that up. US News & World Report reported that consumer confidence plummeted 5% in October to match its previous low in May. Six in 10 Democrats viewed the election as the greatest threat to the economy. Seven in 10 Republicans felt the same. The good news is that election year malaise is often temporary and there is intense, pent-up consumer demand once the uncertainty dissipates. That should make everyone happy and confident heading into next year. Unfortunately, the more I dig into numbers and trends, the more sinister and dire the future looks. Landscaping is about to encounter a monumental consumer shift not seen in 30 years. It won’t necessarily be a recession, as recessions are marked by a reduction in trade and industrial activity. It will be more like a Little Ice Age where factors, completely outside of our control, will cool the landscape market. This Little Ice Age will be the result of two very important factors. The first is that Generation X is purchasing homes much later than their Baby Boomer counterparts. The second is the reduction in population from the retiring Baby Boom generation to Generation X. These two factors, working in concert, will have a negative impact on an industry designed around consumers with disposable income who own homes. First, let’s examine home buying. In 1993, the median age people bought a house was 23 years of age. Today, most 23 year olds feel perfectly comfortable living in their parents’ basements. Due to the housing crisis and other mitigating factors (family planning, college enrollment, focus on career advancement) the median age for home ownership is now 37. That is a whopping 14 year difference in only 23 years. Once we dig deeper into the data, you will see that is really, really bad news for the landscape industry. When people buy homes later in life, their desire for landscape services is paused. No one invests heavily in landscaping in an apartment building. The data shows that Baby Boomers bought homes much earlier which dramatically expands the market for landscape services among an already huge population base. So, let’s flash back to the 2006 boom time for landscape services. From most accounts, this was one of the last great years. Let’s look at the landscape client base during that time and then make a

comparison to the current and upcoming client bases. Since home ownership began at 23, and usually recedes around 70, let’s look at the financial impact of that data set. I don’t have any data to back this up other than my own experience as a homeowner and being part of the similarly aged cohort of first time home buyers. I would say most first time home buyers wait 10 years before investing heavily in their landscapes. There are just simply other family and household needs that come before landscape purchases. That would mean in 2006, anyone born before 1973 formed the front end of the ideal and prime landscape client base. Now, let’s look at the other end of the spectrum. Home ownership rates peak at age 70 and then begin to dial down gradually. This is natural as retirees move to planned communities, assisted living facilities, in with family, to condos, or seasonal properties. With that said, let’s use the retirement age of 65 as the top end of the data set as opposed to 70. That would mean most people born after 1941 were considered prime landscape clients. So, in 2006, prime landscape clients were born between 1941 and 1973. That was a population of over 121 million people. Looking at terms of purchasing power, older individuals in that data set had a median income of $60,000. Younger members of the data set had a median income of $40,000. Collectively, the 2006 data set represented over $6.7 trillion in buying power. That is one of the largest buying collectives the United States has ever seen. In fact, if it weren’t for the recession, the single greatest buying demographic would have appeared in 2011. Ah, what could’ve been. Now, let’s return to the present. In 2016 the buying collective is still healthy, but starts to take on more and more Generation Xers who are simply outnumbered by their Baby Boomer counterparts. In addition, this is where delayed home buying enters the equation. Let’s look at that impact in real numbers. Using the same methodology, but eliminating the 10 additional years that 2006 landscape companies enjoyed because people were purchasing homes much earlier, the ideal landscape client in 2016 was born between 1951 and 1969. That would give them the age range of 47 to 65. There were roughly 76 million people born between 1951 and 1969. The majority of those individuals are baby boomers. In fact, only five years of that data set are Generation Xers. Using the same household income calculations, the total purchasing power for that collective is $5.4 trillion. Right off the bat, due to population decline and the increased age in which people are purchasing homes, we just lost $1.3 trillion in purchasing power. To put that into perspective, that is the GDP of Russia, the 12th largest economy in the world. The entire landscape industry, for the last 20 years, has been built around servicing that massive and well paid demographic. The Great Recession (and a few other smaller recessions) skewed the data, but that massive amount of people who owned homes is a prime reason why landscaping hit its peak in 2006 and has since struggled to regain its mojo. So now, let’s flash forward to 2030 and see what the market looks like. By 2030, the Baby Boom generation will have completely cleared

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

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the marketplace. The new base is 66 million people born between 1965 and 1983. Who knew that birth control would threaten the economic success of the landscape industry? We will use the same median home buying age of 37 as our data point although we are not 100% sure it will remain accurate. At best, confidence in the home market will move the age up. At worst, the backlash from the Great Recession could push the age back and shrink the data set further. Given these parameters, this collective has $3.9 trillion in purchasing power. That is $2.8 trillion less than 2006 (the GDP of the United Kingdom - the 4th largest global economy) and $1.4 trillion less than 2016 (the GDP of Korea - the 11th largest global economy). Long story short, we are talking about massive, massive declines in purchasing power. Now only one variable is in play right now. The population numbers, after all, are fixed. We can’t go back in time, fill Baby Boomers up with a jug of Ernest and Julio Gallo wine and ask them to get busy with each other. The only variable that can change is that the median age for home ownership comes back down. This is a risky sell as the last recession was all about the loss of equity in our homes. Many Generation Xers and Millenials are terrified of the housing market and that could take years to fade. Ok, that is all terrible news. Please, step back in from the ledge and have a seat. All is not lost. It turns out, Millenials bucked the trend. We all knew the peak population years of the Baby Boom, on paper, had the potential to produce more kids. Most forecasters predicted Boomers and Xers would have smaller families and the Millenial generation would be smaller. Well, it didn’t turn out that way. Whatever version of Ernest & Julio Gallo Boomers/Xers were drinking worked and they bred like jackrabbits. Really, beginning in 1978, the population grew and has not looked back. In fact, Millenials are now a larger demographic than Boomers due to a more consistent birth trend rather than a few massive years. Now, the population has started to slow again beginning in 2010, but those impacts won’t be felt until 2060. At that point, this author will probably be getting spoon-fed applesauce or threatening Generation Z-ers with a pellet gun for walking on my lawn. So, if we can get through 2030, we will have 30 years of uninterrupted awesomeness for the landscape industry. Now, the only real outlier is immigration. Right now, globally, there is strong opposition to open borders. Across the entire globe, the last six years have brought tremendous scrutiny to relaxed immigration policy — the U.S. is no exception. Two points about immigration. First, it can infuse a population with prime consumers. Second, minorities are one of the prime reasons the birth rates have soared in the past 30 years. Today, 50% of all babies under five are considered racial minorities, many of Hispanic descent. Immigration is about the only hair dryer available to thaw this coming Little Ice Age. Please take all of this with a grain of salt. I like to think I’m somewhere between an economic forecaster and a false prophet. None of this may come to fruition and there are dozens of other factors in play for how landscapers could become more profitable in the next two decades. I’m just presenting the coldest, hardest facts of this impending Little Ice Age. Dress warm, store your meat, keep your tinder dry, because it could be a long winter.

Scott Grams, November 16, 2016

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

President’s Message — It was a great to see

President

Mike Schmechtig Schmechtig Landscape Company (847) 566-1233 mschmechtig@schmechtiglandscapes.com

Vice-President

Lisa Fiore Don Fiore Company, Inc. (847) 234-0020 lfiore@donfiore.com

Secretary-Treasurer

Tom Lupfer Lupfer Landscaping (708) 352-2765 tom@lupferlandscaping.com

Immediate Past President Rusty Maulding Nature’s View (815) 592-7582 rusty@naturesview.info

Directors

Mark Breier National Seed Co. (630) 963-8787 mark.breier@natseed.com Lisa Fiore Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply (847) 913-1414 lisa@cjfiore.com Jose Garcia Natural Creations Landscaping, Inc. (815) 724-0991 info@naturalcreationslandscaping.com Allan Jeziorski Hartman Landscape (708) 403-8433 allan@hartmanlandscape.net Dean MacMorris Night Light, Inc. (630) 627-1111 dean@nightlightinc.net

Kevin Manning K & D Enterprise Landscape Management, Inc. (815) 725-0758 kmanning@kdlandscapeinc.com Maureen Scheitz Acres Group (847) 526-4554 maureen.scheitz@acresgroup.com Donna Vignocchi Zych ILT Vignocchi, Inc. (847) 487-5200 dvignocchi@iltvignocchi.com

www.ilca.net

so many of you at the 2016 Annual Party & Member Meeting held on November 3rd. The event was one of the shortest programs in the past few years and well attended by a very behaved group of ILCA members. (I think this has to do with so many of us staying up late the night before to watch the Cubs win the World Series!) Prior to the Annual Party & Member Meeting, we held our first annual new member mixer with 15 nre member companies in attendance. The membership committee did a terrific job planning this event. I enjoyed meeting and speaking with our new members. Congratulations to our Regulatory and Legislative Committee that was recognized and honored with the Committee of the Year Award. Lastly, thank you to the ILCA staff members, sponsors and everyone who worked on this annual party and meeting. Each month, I highlight a different area of the ILCA’s first three year strategic plan. The plan is our road map to achieve the association’s goals within the coming years. Fiscal responsibility is part of this plan and is essential to creating a better and stronger ILCA. The committees associated with fiscal responsibility and money management keep us on the path to make the right choices keeping our financial strength to impact the future of the organization. The Oversight committee monitors existing programs and events for profitability and relevance. The association will continue to introduce new committees, programs and events to add value, relevance and interest for our members along with the Oversight Committee who assesses the significance these new channels will bring to the ILCA organization. Each year the board and staff members create the yearly budget which gives us a plan to follow and assists us in decision making throughout the year. The Finance committee oversees the profit and loss statement, balance sheet and investments on a regular basis. Since revenue growth is in the three year strategic plan, the Board looks to maximize revenues for today and to have future reserves. The ILCA has two monetary reserves, the Operating Reserve and the Opportunity Reserve. The Operating Reserve is intended to provide an internal source of funds for situations such as a sudden increase in expenses, one-time unbudgeted expenses, unanticipated loss in funding, or uninsured losses. We like to call this our “rainy day” fund which is used to keep operations going in times of economic peril, loss, or uncertainty. In short, the Operational Reserve is for “keeping the lights on.” The second is the Opportunity Reserve which is intended to provide funds to meet special targets of opportunity or need that will further the mission of the organization which may or may not have specific expectation of incremental or long-term increased income. The Opportunity Reserve is funded by half of the previous year’s surplus. It may roll over and cannot exceed $150,000. The Opportunity Reserve will be used by our new FLIP committee (Future Landscape Industry Professionals) to help structure its program. For those not familiar with FLIP — this new committee demonstrates the value of the green industry in order to attract a new generation of exemplary landscape professionals interested in horticulture and landscaping as a career path. This month, the committee members and Board will meet to conduct the annual year in review. This gives us the opportunity to share ideas and discuss what is working, what is not, and update the strategic plan. Keep a look out for your ILCA Empowerment Packet educating members on worker’s compensation insurance and what can be done to report violators and finally, check your email, iLandscape is calling you to sign up. Wishing each of you a happy holiday season, Michael Schmechtig November 19, 2016

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Black Creek Canyon, Inc.â&#x20AC;˘ Garden Cellar Lockport

When we landscaped

this Chicagoland property a few years ago, we had no idea that we would be able to revisit it with a very special purpose in mind. We were fortunate to be asked to build a secret getaway â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a wine cellar doubling as den, cave, and place that allowed for both quiet reflection and socializing as the mood dictated. Our opportunity came when a nineteenth-century, deconsecrated church was demolished in downtown Joliet a couple of years ago. We acquired salvage rights and harvested tons of rusticated stone. The question was: what to do with it? The answer suggested itself when we remembered that our wine connoisseur client had expressed a desire for a cellar in which to house his impressive collection.

Proper wine storage presents numerous challenges of climate and light control. The thick stone from the church provided us with supremely adequate shelter from the elements. We built a cellar with entrances both from the outside garden and, by means of an elevator, inside the house. We gave it the Romanesque look of the church. The stone allowed us to create rooms separated by arches and, in one case, a handmade metal door with handpainted copper details depicting the fruit and delicately curving leaves of the grapevine.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Focus — Year End Business News

The Impending Payroll Threshold Crisis As the December 1

deadline approached, calls poured into the ILCA Labor and Employment Hotline. What do we need to do and how do we do it? Landscape contractors asked. Their worry? The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) federal overtime provisions change. Announced in May, it went into effect December 1, 2016. Unless exempt, employees covered by the act must receive overtime pay for any time they worked more than 40 hours per work week. The May-December time period, however, fell during “the season,” the landscape industry’s busiest time. As the season wound down, suddenly contractors and others in the industry saw the December 1 deadline looming and scrambled to get everything in place. “It represents the vast majority of our calls,” says Julie Proscia, a partner with law firm and ILCA member, SmithAmundsen, and a member of the firm’s Labor and

Employment Practice Group. Speaking in mid-November, she noted that “They want to know what they need to do, as well as what policies and procedures need to be in place to insure that employees are properly paid.” That has always been the case, but the new rule updates the salary and compensation levels needed for executive, professional and administrative personnel, as well as those in other supervisory positions, to be considered exempt or salaried and is expected to extend overtime pay protections to more than 4 million workers nationally during the first year after it goes into effect. Now, in addition to certain job responsibilities, the law requires that employees must earn at least $47,476 a year, before becoming exempt. Previously, the number hovered around $23,000. In the case of a foreman or crew chief, responsibilities should include such things as overseeing the crew, scheduling, supervising and disciplinary action. This meets the responsibilities requirement. “A lot of times foremen will have to be switched to non-exempt (under the new rules), because there is too much of a pay gap,” she says. Look at how much of the work now is overtime, Proscia counsels. The base pay may be well below the (continued on page 12)

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Focus — Year End Business News (continued from page 10) threshold, but with overtime it may reach it. “The theory is that exempt employees don’t punch in and out,” says Proscia. “They just have to get the job done.” In this digital age, when they can be reached via cell phone, this often means that they are on call 24/7. Many check their cell phones the first thing on awakening and the last before going to sleep at night. If they are paid less than the threshold, they now must be compensated for that time, says Proscia. That, or the culture must change. And changing the culture will take some finesse. A number of psychological studies have shown that if not handled correctly, employees who once were exempt, but now are considered non-exempt or hourly may feel that their work has been devalued. That’s true even though their titles remain the same. “The title is not consequential; just the salary threshold and duties,” says Proscia. But some employees may not see it that way. “If not gently messaged, they may feel like they have been demoted,” she says. She is suggesting that employers put it in the context of work/ life balance. Done correctly, the employee may see it as a positive change. Employers will have to find ways to operate that do not include expecting the now hourly employees to be on call after regular work hours, unless they want to pay overtime. Under the law, overtime is at least time-and-a-half of the regular hourly rate. In cases where the employee is making close to the new salary threshold, Proscia walks employers through what they need to

do to determine what is best financially: raise the employee’s salary to meet the threshold or allow it to remain unchanged and pay overtime. “It’s more of a concern about the budget impact on the organization,” she says. In some cases she counsels to wrap a pay increase around the employee’s annual review. So, instead of one pay increase, then another at annual review time, if the numbers make sense just do it all at once to bring the employee up to the $47,476 threshold. “I’m telling them to go through and do the analysis; find the financial line of demarcation,” she says. “If someone makes $38,000, it’s not going to be cost effective to give a raise to the threshold.” The analysis should include the job duties, as well as how much overtime they typically get and for what. “It’s a question of what is most cost effective and efficient.” Calls also cover what to do for those whose compensation may not make the threshold on a regular basis, but who earn bonuses or commissions, which do bring them up to that level. This is a little more complex. In these cases, Proscia notes that the law looks at it on a quarterly basis. So, if the bonus or commission brings the employee up to an average of the salary threshold each quarter, then that is enough to satisfy the law. The bonus/commission cannot be more than 10 percent of the employee’s compensation. If, however, that is not the case, then to qualify for exempt status, the employer must make up the difference in quarters in which the employee has not earned the bonus or commission. “The employee also can always be reclassified as non-exempt,” says Proscia. (more on page 14)

“The Theory is that exempt employees don’t punch in and out, they just have to get the job done.”

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

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Focus — Year End Business News

Late Word at Press Time... Labor & Employment Update From SmithAmundsen: DOL FLSA Overtime Rule May Be Suspended By Heather Bailey The Honorable Judge Amos L. Mazzant III in the pending DOL overtime preliminary injunction lawsuit, State of Nevada et al v. United States Department of Labor et al. (Case No. 4:16-cv-00731-ALM, Eastern District of Texas), heard arguments yesterday as to whether the DOL should be enjoined at this time from implementing the new overtime and salary increase rule. The court – questioning the nationwide implications at stake here – was not interested in what the next administration will do come 2017 and wanted to focus on the law now. After hearing arguments, the judge took them under advisement and stated he “hopes” to have a ruling by November 22, 2016. If he denies the preliminary injunction motion, he will have an additional hearing on November 28, 2016 before the December 1 implementation deadline. What does this mean for employers who have been preparing for the new rule come December 1? Keep preparing, however, it is perfectly permissible (and probably a good idea) to wait and see how Judge Mazzant rules next week before actually implementing any salary increases. Stay tuned as we will keep you updated come the judge’s ruling on November 22nd.

Follow Progress on the SmithAmundsen hotline for ILCA members: 1-866-904-9413

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

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Focus — Year End Business News

A Little Background on the Sales Tax Issue by Scott Grams

Beginning in January 2016, the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association began to receive questions from both landscape supplier and contractor members about the applicability of sales tax on certain items used on public works projects. This confusion exposed both contractors and suppliers to risk, audits, and penalties, as they attempted to determine if and when sales tax applied to materials being installed and sold. In an effort to protect our contractor and supplier members alike, ILCA reached out to the Illinois Department of Revenue. The question ILCA posed to the Illinois Department of Revenue was how does IDR handle materials that are not converted into real estate, but are not used again after the project has been completed. These items could be considered temporary or disposable and ILCA needed to determine if these types of materials should be charged sales tax at the time of purchase. Some of the specific materials we questioned as examples were: perimeter erosion barrier (silt fencing), temporary ditch checks (wood excelsior logs 12”x10’), wooden stakes, marking paint, guy-

ing wire, and temporary mulch. ILCA requested a General Opinion Letter from IDR. A general opinion letter is non-binding, but is merely the prevailing opinion of the IDR and their counsel at the time. Individual contractors and suppliers can request a private ruling that is a legally binding document that lasts up to ten years. ILCA cannot request a private ruling letter since we are not a sales tax payer. In addition, a private letter is only good for the company that sends the letter and cannot be used across an entire industry. The response from the IDR follows on the next three pages. Please review this letter. These temporary/disposable items are indeed subject to sales tax. Contractors should make sure sales tax is being applied at the point of sale and calculated into future bids. Suppliers should make sure they understand that disposable/ temporary items such as the ones listed, are not sales tax exempt when used on a public job or on a job for a tax-exempt entity.

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Focus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Year End Business News

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

ILCA Fall Events

Pruning Workshop November 17, 2016

As the Basic Pruning

Workshop approaches its 20th year, the program shows no decline in popularity. It enjoyed a reprise visit to the Schaumburg Boomers baseball park in Schaumburg. This location provides a near-perfect mix of indoor classroom space with an excellent array of pruning opportunities for the outdoor demonstration. As usual the event was divided into a morning session taught exclusively in

Spanish and an afternoon session taught only in English. Classes included safety and dormant pruning lectures and trainer supervised hands-on pruning. ILCA Past President Charlie Keppel is the Event Chairman.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

iLandscape 2017 —

Branching Out with

by Meta Levin

February 1-3, 2017

Time for Education to Shine! Handshakes and Comedy and Drones. Oh, my! Whatever your interest, iLandscape Education Has You Covered. The 2017 iLandscape educational offerings will contain a little

bit of this and some more of that: green, practical, business, snow and fun. If the previous years’ attendees wanted it, the education committee will try to provide it – sometimes in unique ways. Look up. It’s a bird, it’s a plane.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

it’s a drone. Smile. The drone is taking your picture. Head upstairs for an explanation of how you can use these mini-flyboys in your business. Drones are not alone in the iLandscape Education lineup. There will be technology, business, sustain-

ability, sales, design, leadership, pollinators (more than just bees), pruning and oh, so many more topics. You will love them. You will learn something. And, where applicable, you will earn CEUs. What more can you ask? Well, experts teaching. iLandscape has that, too. “I feel very good about the mix of green, practical, business, snow and other subjects that we have this year,” says Kim Hartmann, 2017 iLandscape Education committee chair. All of this did not come out of thin air. The committee combed through more than 3,000 evaluation forms from last year, collaborated with the experience committee and button-holed colleagues at various ILCA events. They then tried to meet the needs. “We saw that people were looking for more information about alliances and working together,” says Hartmann. Check. Look for “A Firm Handshake: Create Professional Alliances to Build Your Business,” with Stan Holat from SavATree, Bob Bertog of Bertog Landscape and Jim Turcan from Cornerstone Partners. Panel members will share insights into their own successful partnerships, how they began and have evolved, their benefits and what makes them effective. Thursday’s program also will feature, among other things, “Talk Show: Improv and Active Listening with Comedy (continued on page 24)

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

iLandscape 2017 — (continued from page 23) Sportz.” In a workshop atmosphere, attendees will learn to own their communication styles, listen actively, adapt to your business partner’s styles and be precise in your communication – all while having a good time. “We wanted to make sure that we had more business, sales and management sessions,” says Hartmann. And so, they do with sessions on how to grow businesses, strategies, vision, working with difficult people and how to handle uncomfortable situations. Sustainability is growing in popularity, but the committee has taken it further.

“It’s broader than just sustainability,” says Hartmann. “What are we doing to protect the water, improve the soil and use pesticides, herbicides and fungicides responsibly?” Got that covered, too. Not to mention a myriad of other subjects. As environmental issues become more pressing, people are interested in learning from experts and from those who have made it their life’s work to raise awareness. Actor Ed Begley Jr. has been considered an environmental leader in the Hollywood community for many years. At 10:15 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, he will step on the Garden Stage as iLandscape’s Keynote speaker to share his insight into

environmental sustainability. A member of the board of The Coalition for Clean Air and The Thoreau Institute, as well as the advisory board to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Begley will talk about how landscape contractors can play a part in this national movement. It couldn’t be more relevant now that sustainable landscaping has become mainstream. Throughout Wednesday, Thursday and Friday top-rated speakers will offer a variety of topics to fulfill your wants and needs. Speakers include— (continued on page 26)

Wednesday

• Ed Begley, Jr. — Will delight, with his unique view of the sustainable life & culture • Mike Yanny — talks about, My Plants and Their Stories

• DuPage County Stormwater Management Staff — Post Construction Stormwater BMPs • Angelo Zielinski — illustrates, The Integrative Digital Workflow

• George Coombs — offers, Native Plant Reserach at Mt. Cuba Center • Karen Olah — answers, Why Specify Certified Stone?

• Karen Hamilton — The Culture of Craft Beer, the Key to Understanding Modern Tastes • Peter Spero & Brendan Stewart — Using Drones for Landscape Design and Promotion • Jeff Epping — Creating & Maintaining Gravel Gardens

• George Brenn — Understand How Plants Respond to Pruning

• Bill Gardocki — Hardscape Equipment of Today vs. the Dinosaurs of Yesterday • Tom Marrero, Ph.D. and Aaron Schlines — Biochar: Better Soil, Better World

• A National Panel — BrightView Insights: Lesson from of the World’s Largest Landscape Company

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

iLandscape 2017 —

(continued from page 24) Thursday will feature three “Marquee Speakers,” each well known in their own fields. These Marquee Speakers are scheduled to appear in the ballroom, where attendees can easily access them just steps from the exhibitors. “There is a demand for education and the opportunity to spend time on the showroom floor,” says Hartmann. “This is a win-win.”

Doug Tallamy University of Delaware

Rick Darke Rick Darke LLC

“Networks for Life: Your Role in Stitching the Natural World Together”

“Designing and Maintaining the Living Landscape”

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Ahmad Hassan Ahmad Hassan Landscape Services Former host of the DIY Network’s “Yardcrashers.” “Hybridizing Your Landscape Business”

Thursday • • • • • •

Padraig Conway — “3D Reality Design Software. It’s Here. Embrace It!” David Fellman — “5 Ways to Make Your Small Business More Successful” Merit Gest — “The Secret to Crushing Your Sales Quota” Scott Mehaffey & Nina Koziol — “Timeless Landscapes: Design, Practices and Character” CSz Business Chicago — “Talk Show: Improv and Active Listening with Comedy Sportz” Virginia Burt — “Creating Landscapes and Gardens of Meaning.”

• Jack Pizzo — “Green & Natural Spaces in Your Community” • Stan Holat, Bob Bertog, and Jim Turcan — “A Firm Handshake: Create Professional Alliances to Build Your Business” • Marty Grunder — “Leadership for Landscapers”

Friday • • • •

Nancy Buley and Dr. Bert Cregg — “Tree Selection for a Changing Climate” Laurie & Mark Mann — “Minimizing Salt Damage to Maximize Your Profit Margin” Steve Ludwig — “Grass Roots Sustainability – An Urban Forester’s Perspective” Kristen Voorhies, Abigail Derby Lewis, Louise Clemency — “A Monarch’s View: How Landscapes Contribute to Pollinator Habitat” • Clare Johnson — “Principles of Therapeutic Garden Design: People, Program & Place” • Byron Sabol — “Success with Difficult People”

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Committee Chair Profile

Awards Committee Chair — Brian Jordison by Meta Levin

This year

the ILCA Awards Committee expects nearly 40 entries. Not enough, says Brian Jordison, the Awards Committee chair. “Our challenge is to figure out what we can do to boost submittals.” The number of submissions to ILCA’s annual competition began declining around 2008, with the economic downturn. Improvement has been slow. That’s why Jordison has made it his number one priority as Awards Committee chair. He’s also hoping to encourage more members to think about sustainability in their residential designs and maintenance. “We have had some very good commercial entries in that category, but not residential,” he says. Jordison has been involved with awards for about 15 years, beginning when his boss at James Martin Associates charged him with preparing entries for the ILCA and the PLANET competitions. A landscape architect, who also holds a CLP, he was uniquely qualified to take on that task. As he became more interested, he finally approached a colleague who was chairing the ILCA Awards Committee about joining. He was enthusiastically welcomed. “I looked at it as a way to become more involved in ILCA,” he says. He was drawn to the association in large part by the spirit of camaraderie, noting that people who work for competing companies, put that aside and collaborate through ILCA to accomplish common goals for the good of the industry. Working on the committee, he believes, is a good way to broaden his horizons and network with others in the field. 28

From an early age Jordison had what he calls “a strong inclination for design.” Thus, he explored both architecture and landscape architecture, eventually settling on the latter, because of its broader scope. “Architecture focuses on the building, but landscape architecture is concerned with the entire site,” he says. “It is more dynamic.” After high school, he earned an associate degree in horticulture from the University of Minnesota, then transferred to Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in landscape architecture. A job offer brought him to the Chicago area. “It’s the strongest job market,” Jordison says. After working for a couple of firms, in 1996 he landed at James Martin Associates where he has been ever since. There he has taken on diverse roles, including landscape design, materials selection and bidding. “I like to get involved in every aspect of a project,” he says. “Each project has a challenge and a way to solve it.” The Landscape Contractor December 2016

In his spare time, he is involved with his church, particularly helping with the junior high school and high school mission trips. In addition to contributing to the church, it is a way to spend some quality time with his 16-year-old son. He also likes to ride his bicycle for exercise, sometimes clocking in as many as 30 or 40 miles each week. Jordison has no trouble explaining the long hours and busy season to his wife, who also is a landscape architect and who, with a business partner, owns a design/build firm. “Being involved in this occupation does take up time,” he says. “It’s a challenge to find opportunities for outside interests.” Committee Update: Great News! ILCA has received 48 Awards entries for 2016-17. A great improvement

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape —

Topiarius Wins 2016 Professional’s Choice Award by Nina Koziol

It pretty much takes a wizard to transform a

small dark and dreary city backyard into an inviting showplace that can be enjoyed by both adults and kids. The wizardry was supplied by Topiarius, a Chicago-based design/ build firm run by husband and wife Craig and Sara JenkinsSutton. The firm’s stunning project, “Urban Attitude,” in Chicago’s Lincoln Park got the nod from ILCA members who, after reviewing all the entries, bestowed it with the 2016 Professional’s Choice Award. “Each square inch of our client’s outdoor space must function properly, has to look attractive and be maintainable,” said Craig Jenkins-Sutton. “This project was a challenge because the backyard faces north, there were five mature trees on the property, which was only 25’ by 25’ and there were drainage issues.” On top of that, the client is from New Zealand where gardening is a popular pastime and colorful flowers and tropical plants are commonplace, and lived in England. As a result, she expected a vibrant space behind her townhouse where adults could relax and three young children could play. The

trees and a hedge of overgrown, straggly yews were the only means of privacy and they took up at least half of the backyard and reduced the amount of light. The space--picture the size of a two-car garage--needed a complete overhaul to be usable and friendly. “We are a family with three young daughters and love to entertain, so landscaping our garden to make it useable was vital for us,” said Marina Draper. “Before it was filled with very large trees and boxwoods, which made the space feel very small and dark. Once they took everything away we were amazed at how large our small urban backyard was and what great light it received from the sun.” In spite of the tiny, overgrown yard set behind traditional architecture of red brick and white trim, Topiarius breathed new life into the space with an ingenious layout and a palette of trees, perennials and annuals that provide privacy and color. Jenkins-Sutton landscape designer Emily Cavanagh and a crew took the 625-square-foot plot and transformed it in (continued on page 34)

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Urban Attitude

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape — (continued from page 30) 2014 into a splendid space with a bluestone patio, cedar deck, a water feature, a metal spiral staircase, a customized playhouse, low-voltage lighting, irrigation, a raised planting bed, flower-filled containers and new trees. These ele-ments help to mask the typical urban noise and create much-needed privacy since the garden faces a condominium complex and neighboring town home patios on each side. “The customer totally embraced the recommendation to remove the trees,” Craig said. “Most people wouldn’t do it, but, without that, there was no way to accommodate what she wanted to do. It’s the epitome of the types of projects we do. Packing multiple functions in a small space. She was so open and had a lot of ideas and was a very active participant in the design process.” “Coming from London, we had seen many small spaces like this that had been transformed into beautiful urban gardens and we knew we could do the same thing here in Chicago,” Draper said. With the trees gone, the crew had to remove about 16 yards of soil and debris from the site. Regrading was necessary because of a one-foot elevation change. The lowest spot in the backyard was an outdated stamped concrete patio tucked under the second floor deck. Not only was it too small to be functional, the patio collected water, dirt and debris after a rain.

“You can’t move water onto your neighbor’s property,” said Sara Jenkins-Sutton. Thus, the design and installation included a new bluestone patio to pitch away from the house. The crew had to detach and lift the existing tall pediments for the patio installation. To address the water problem, a French drain was installed beneath the at-grade decking, which reduced puddles. A raised bed around the perimeter of the garden also helps collect rain while boasting an assortment of colorful perennials and annuals. Some typical challenges included placing the necessary electrical for the stunning stainless steel globe water feature, installing other low-voltage lines for lighting and placing drip irrigation in the planting beds and containers. “The entire installation took about four weeks with a two-man crew and an additional two weeks to tie up loose ends,” said Jim Venetucci, operations manager. “One challenge was getting the spiral staircase that was built on site installed with a crane.” The staircase provides elegant access to the second floor and takes up a very small footprint in the garden. A new hedge of columnar hornbeam trees (Carpinus betulus ‘Frans Fontaine’) was planted as a living screen. The backyard is significantly brighter with the added sunlight as well as the eye-popping basket chairs and settee purchased by the client with input from Topiarius. The comfortable (continued on page 36)

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Anatomy of an Award Winning Landscape — (continued from page 34) modern chairs and couch and the coffee table sit on an area rug of artificial turf. “Some clients pick furniture out themselves, others want us to pick,” Sara said. “I love all the textures and combinations in this garden.” The client also purchased a kit playhouse, which Topiarius installed on a raised cedar deck. To give the playhouse a more custom look, the crew painted the peek-a-boo windows and doors and added a climbing wall on one side. As an extra fun element, a chalkboard was installed inside so that the children can entertain themselves while the adults relax. “We use it all year round really,” Draper said. “I love to see the changing seasons in our garden, each month it takes on a new look as the plants grow and the sunlight changes. My girls love playing in the playhouse, they love to climb onto the roof and watch everything going on.” An extended bluestone walkway and patio now surrounds the building, running from the side entrance to the back-yard and then to the cedar deck and playhouse. A serviceberry (Amelanchiar grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’) was strategically placed to screen the neighboring patio and provide multi-season interest. A white diamond lattice work panel was replaced with a tall and wide planter box and tropical plants to screen the other side of the bluestone patio. A contempo-

rary bright red fiberglass pot also holds annuals that give the backyard a New Zealand garden feel. “There are tradeoffs,” Craig said. “The client originally wanted a dining area, but the seating and the playhouse took priority and the space simply wasn’t there. They decided a fun seating area was more important than a dining area.” Founded in 2003, Topiarius has focused on urban gardening and landscape design and care and has created hundreds of creative rooftop gardens. They employee 28 staff. “Most of our clients are word-of mouth,” Craig said. “We often have people stop by a job site and ask for a card when they see one of our projects. I view all of our projects as a team effort. We have a great crew.” The firm’s success on this and other projects goes back to educating the client at the beginning of the process. “We have more success when this is done at the front end with approval of all the details, the color rendering, the materials and so on,” Sara said. “We provide a lot of samples,” Craig said. “If they know they’re making the choice, there’s very little resistance to making changes. We have to help the client make good decisions.” Topiarius has an expansive woodworking shop at its headquarters on Chicago’s west side. There, Craig and his staff

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

create innovative custom planters, wall units, seating, arbors, pergolas and other hardscape features. For this project, they also built a special vertical cedar wall garden that allows the homeowner to grow pots of herbs in the sunniest spot on the property. The irrigated hanging garden of white pots holds a collection of herbs and annuals that greet the clients at the front door. “This type of landscape design is a luxury,” Craig said. “But there’s a quantifiable difference you make in customers’ lives. There are so many things I love about my job. I think there’s a misconception in general by the public that landscaping is ‘low skill’ and that anyone can do it. Just walking onto a potential job site and calculating grade changes, hardscape, plants, etc., requires very specific skills.”

“I like the contrast of all the different materials in the garden, from the grass, the cedar decking to the blue stone pavers, and the new access we have now with the spiral stairs from our kitchen deck to the garden,” Draper said. “My girls love the playhouse of course—they love to climb onto the roof and watch everything going on” The project took approximately four weeks from start to finish. “I like the complete transformation from a very unusable dark backyard to one that is open, flowing and functional,” Venetucci said. And, the judges certainly agreed.

Before this amazing transformation—

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

ILCA Annual Party and Membership Meeting —

2016 Annual Meeting & Membership Party by Meta Levin

Brian McGinty loves

a good party, especially one that also offers some great networking. That’s why he and 12 of his employees joined nearly 325 other ILCA members at the 2016 ILCA Annual Meeting. For the fourth year, the sold-out event was held at Two Brothers Roundhouse, a brewpub restaurant in Aurora, a popular venue with attendees. Like McGinty, many members bring employees to share in the festivities, food and artisan beers. “We have 325 people here tonight and only 30 percent of you have the last name of Breier or Fiore,” Executive Director Scott Grams joked with the crowd. “That’s a new record.” That’s plenty of opportunities to meet, greet and make new contacts. McGinty, whose company, McGinty Brothers, Inc. Professional Lawn and Tree Care, has been an ILCA member since 1963 – he has a 50-year plaque to prove it –sees it as a good chance to “get to meet and see everyone; clients and vendors.” Bill Hope, branch manager of Fiore Nursery and Landscape Supply, also relishes the idea of getting together with the ILCA members, “especially contractors to whom we cater.” The party wouldn’t happen without its sponsors. Rental Max once again stepped up as the Premier Sponsor. This included a special Rental Max Ale, served at the party. Xylem, Ltd. & Rocks, Etc. sponsored the sweets table. Sixteen ILCA members sponsored the party: Caber Hill; Fiore Nursery & Landscape Supply; Goodmark Nurseries; Harrell’s LLC; Illinois Brick Company; JM Irrigation, LLC; Kaknes Landscape Supply Inc.; Lafarge Fox River Stone; Martin Implement Sales; Midwest Groundcovers/Midwest Trading; National Seed; RCOP (Ron Clesen’s Ornamental Plants); SmithAmundsen; The Davey Tree Expert Company; The Pizzo Group, and Unilock. In a nod to tradition, outgoing ILCA President Rusty Maulding passed his president’s pin to incoming President Michael Schmechtig and incoming ILCA Board Member Allan Jeziorski received his Board of Director’s Pin. Maulding will not be left pinless. ILCA presented him a Past President’s pin. So, all is well. The officers and board members, as well as the office staff, may be the most visible of those keeping things ticking, but there are countless members who volunteer their time to serve on nearly 20 committees, who are integral to making it all work. Committees include: (continued on page 40) 38

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Everybody Serves

The Landscape Contractor 2016-2017 ILCA Membership Directory & Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guide December 2016

ILCA Annual Party and Membership Meeting — (continued from page 38) Past President Rusty Maulding and the 2015-16 Board of Directors Awards Committee, Brian Jordison, James Martin Associates Certification Committee, Greg Roos, CLT, Bertog Landscape Design Committee, Jason Lundberg and Robert Milani, Chalet Golf Outing Committee, Scott McAdam Jr., McAdam Landscape and Jim Bilinski, Market Financial Group Education Committee, Kim Hartmann, Countryside Flower Shop Experience Committee, John Algozzini, K & D Landscape and Dave Warning, Bailey Nurseries. Finance Committee, Bob Bertog, Bertog Landscape Co. Future Landscape Industry Professionals (FLIP), Jim Martin, James Martin and Associates Latino Relations Committee, Erika Walters, The Mulch Center Magazine Committee, Joe Scopelliti, Guy Scopelliti Co, Inc. Membership Committee, Tom Kusmerz, Jr., The Barn Nursery and Landscape Professional Oversight Committee, Lisa Fiore, Don Fiore Company Regulatory and Legislative Committee, Claire Storti, Scott Byron, Inc. Scholarship Committee, Tyler Smith, Tyler’s Landscaping Summer Field Day Committee, Paul Guzzetta, Kaneville Tree Farms Sustainable Landscaping Committee, Jeff Swano, Dig Right In Landscaping Turf Committee Committee, Scott Roberts, TruGreen Women’s Networking Group, Tina Shaw, Scott Byron, Inc. 40

(continued on page 42) The Landscape Contractor December 2016

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

ILCA Annual Party and Membership Meeting — (continued from page 40) The Regulatory and Legislative Committee was honored as the ILCA Committee of the Year, recognized for its outstanding service in support of its and ILCA’s mission. The award recognizes all committee members and the plaque hangs in perpetuity in the ILCA conference room. Previous winners include the Education, Latino Relations, Experience and Magazine committees. This year’s three finalists were: the Education Committee, chaired by Kim Hartmann, Countryside Flower Shop; the Regulatory and Legislative Committee, chaired by Claire Storti, Scott Byron & Co., Inc.; and the Summer Field Day Committee, chaired by Ed Roloff, Old Castle. The officers may run the association, but it’s the legislators who affect the members as business owners, ILCA Secretary-Treasurer Tom Lupfer reminded the crowd. “It is lawmaking and regulations that impact us, especially as business owners,” he says. “Every year ILCA’s Regulatory and Legislative Committee and lobbyist go to war trying to protect us from unfavorable legislation and advance favorable legislation, such as the snow indemnification bill we passed this session.” That takes money, however. Lupfer pointed to the ILCA Scholarship Fund, which has nearly $600,000. Yet the Regulatory and Legislative Committee is operating with a budget of a little more than $10,000. “Beginning in 2017, a subset of the Committee will form a PAC (Political Action Committee) to help address our need for dollars and time,” he says. “We will be calling on each and every member to support the PAC.” The PAC will be non-partisan, backing candidates who support the landscape industry. For more information contact the ILCA office or Lupfer. Just the fact that there are long term members, shows that ILCA is of value to the industry. Two members were recognized for their 50 years with the association. They joined in 1966 and are still with ILCA: D. Hill Nursery Company and Long’s Garden Center, Inc. Nine members were recognized for their 25-year membership: Beaver Creek Nursery, Inc.; Belgard Hardscapes; Cotswold Gardens Ltd.; DataScape, LLC; Hoy Landscaping, Inc.; Meyer Landscaping, Inc.; Rich’s Foxwillow Pines Nursery, Inc.; Michael Scott & Associates, Inc. and Rosborough Partners, Inc. Attendees gave a rousing cheer for the ILCA staff that keeps things running smoothly. They, too, were recognized at the meeting: Julie Nicoll, education manager; Terre Houte, events manager; Alycia O’Connor, office manager; Marissa Stubler, membership and marketing and their boss, Scott Grams, executive director. Kelly Girup, a phone inventory manager for Doty Nurseries LLC, was delighted to put faces with names. “The season has been busy,” says Girup, who was attending the annual meeting with her boss, Ryan Doty, who also was enthusiastic. “The demand (for the B&B material he grows) seems pretty good,” he says. Jose Garcia, founder and president of Natural Creations Landscaping, spent part of the evening proudly introducing his son, Eric, and nephew, Alberto, to his colleagues. It’s been a busy, but stressful season for Natural Creations, which does a lot of (continued on page 44) 42

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

ILCA Annual Party and Membership Meeting — (continued from page 42) work for Illinois’ highway departments, as well as the state. Still, “we managed to have a good season,” says Garcia. “We are tied to the state budget and had some issues.” Garcia, however, was intent on reaching out to new ILCA members, a wellknown trait of his. “It’s important for us who have experience, to share,” he says. “New members don’t know how to benefit from their membership. Someone has to explain.” His son, a Truman College student, was enjoying the opportunity to meet others in the industry. And Garcia’s nephew, who is an electrical engineer in Mexico, was in town visiting and learning about what his uncle does. Dennis Harms of D. Hill Nursery Company admired the 50-year membership plaque the company was awarded and looked back on its history. His father, Leroy Harms, bought the business, which had been around since 1966, in 1988. This year “we had one of our best years,” he says. Still, he and his brother, David, have put it up for sale, hoping to “hand the baton” to someone who will invest in it like the family has. “We have a lot of mixed emotions,” he says. “We’d like to see more young people involved. We need people to grow stuff.” It was a happy night for most attendees, full of meeting, greeting, eating and, of course, beer.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

La educación en iLandscape —

Branching Out with

por Meta Levin

February 1-3, 2017

Apretones de mano y comedia y drones. ¡Santo cielo!

La educación en iLandscape lo tiene cubierto. Las ofertas educativas de iLandscape para 2017 contendrán un poquito de esto, otro poco de aquello: conciencia ecológica, enseñanza práctica, negocios, nieve y diversión. Si los

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

asistentes el año anterior lo pidieron, el comité educativo tratará de ofrecerlo – algunas veces de forma exclusiva. ¡Mire al cielo! Es un ave, es un avión. Es un dron. Sonría. El dron le está tomando una foto. Suba para escuchar una explicación de cómo puede usar estos mini-

voladores en su negocio. Los drones no están solos en el programa educativo de iLandscape. Habrá tecnología, negocios, sostenibilidad, ventas, diseño, liderazgo, polinizadores (más que solo abejas), poda y tantos temas más. A usted le encantarán. Aprenderá algo. Y, donde sea aplicable, usted obtendrá créditos de educación continua (CEU). ¿Qué más puede pedir? Enseñanza por expertos. Bueno, iLandscape tienen eso también. “Me complace la mezcla de conciencia ecológica, enseñanza práctica, negocios, nieve y otros temas que tenemos este año”, afirma Kim Hartmann, Presidente del Comité de Educación de iLandscape 2017. Y todo esto no surgió de la nada. El comité revisó más de 3,000 formularios de evaluación del año pasado, colaboró con el comité de experiencia y abordó a colegas en varios eventos de ILCA. Después trató de satisfacer las necesidades. “Nos dimos cuenta de que las personas desean obtener más información sobre alianzas y el trabajo conjunto”, dice Hartmann. Revise.

p.o. box 748 • st. charles, il 60174 847.742.1790 • fax 847.742.2655 www.midwestgroundcovers.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Enfoque: Sección en Español — Wednesday

• Ed Begley, Jr. — el actor y defensor ambiental, Ed Begley, Jr., conferencista inaugural, • • • • •

hablará desde el escenario en el jardín

Mike Yanny — “Mis plantas y sus historias” Clayton Helfer — “Soluciones de paisajismo para problemas de agua en pequeña escala” Angelo Zielinski — “El flujo de trabajo digital integrador” George Coombs — “Investigaciones de plantas nativas en Mt. Cuba Center” Karen Olah — “Por qué especificar piedras certificadas?”

Thursday

• • • • • • • • •

Padraig Conway — “Software de diseño de realidad tridimensional. Está aquí. ¡Adóptelo!” David Fellman — “5 maneras de hacer más exitoso su pequeña empresa” Merit Gest — “El secreto para sobrepasar su cuota de ventas Scott Mehaffey & Nina Koziol — “Paisajes intemporales: Diseño, prácticas y carácter” CSz Business Chicago — “La improvisación y la atención activa con Comedy Sportz” Viginia Burt — “Cómo crear diseños paisajistas y jardines significativos” Jack Pizzo — “La Conciencia ecológica y los espacios naturales en su comunidad” Stan Holat, Bob Bertog, and Jim Turcan — “Un firme apretón de manos: Cree alianzas profesionales para desarrollar su negocio”

Friday • • • •

Nancey Buley and Dr. Bert Cregg — “Selección de árboles para un clima inestable” Laurie & Mark Mann — “Cómo minimizar el daño de la sal para maximizar su margen” Steve Ludwig — “Sostenibilidad radical – Desde la perspectiva de un silvicultor urbano” Krisyen Voorhies, Abigail Derby, Louise Clemency — “La Visión de un Monarca: Como ayudan los terrenos ajardinados al hábitat de los polinadores”

• Clare Johnson — “Principios del diseño paisajista terapéutico: Gente, programas y lugares”

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Sección en Español

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The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Busque “Un firme apretón de manos: Cree alianzas profesionales para desarrollar su negocio,” con Stan Holat de SaVaTree, Bob Bertog de Bertog Landscape y Jim Turcan de Cornerstone Partners. Los miembros del panel compartirán experiencias sobre sus propias asociaciones exitosas, cómo comenzaron y han evolucionado, sus beneficios y qué los hace eficaces. El programa del jueves incluirá también, entre otras cosas, “Programa de debates: La improvisación y la atención activa con Comedy Sportz”. En una atmósfera de taller, los asistentes aprenderán a posesionarse de sus propios estilos de comunicación, escuchar activamente, adaptarse a los estilos de sus socios comerciales y ser precisos en sus comunicaciones – todo esto mientras se divierte. “Quisimos asegurarnos de tener más sesiones de negocios, ventas y administración”, dijo Hartmann. Y lo hacen realidad con sesiones sobre cómo desarrollar los negocios, estrategias, visión, cómo lidiar con gente

problemática y situaciones incómodas. La sostenibilidad está creciendo en popularidad, pero el comité la ha llevado a nuevas dimensiones. “Abarca mucho más que solo sostenibilidad ambiental,” asegura Hartmann. “¿Qué estamos haciendo para proteger las aguas, mejorar el suelo y utilizar pesticidas, herbicidas y fungicidas de forma responsable?” También abordamos eso. Para no mencionar una miríada de otros temas.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

New Member Profile Snapshot

TS Landscaping LLC 810 W. Busse Avenue Mt. Prospect, IL 60056 (847) 562-6581 www.tslandscape.com

Landscape design, installation, maintenance and snow and ice removal. by Meta Levin

Tim Szafranski, owner

and founder of TS Landscaping LLC in Mt. Prospect, started out on the proverbial shoestring. In fact, his first lawn mower came out of the trash and only worked thanks to his father’s mechanical skill. His first vehicle was a used Ford Explorer and he hired his brother as his first and, for a long time, key employee. In fact, much of his early equipment came out of the dumpster. “People would throw away Toro lawnmowers, when all they needed was the carburetor to be cleaned out and it was ready to go,” he says. Szafranski credits his father’s aptitude for understanding mechanics for his ability to get his company going at such a low cost. “My father can listen to a motor and know what it needs,” he says. It’s a talent that Szafranski still uses. “Anytime I run into a problem, I call my Dad.” His brothers worked at TS Landscaping; Billy, ran the crews and Bobby, did much of the labor. Two years after starting the business, Szafranski took off for Illinois State University where he studied Business Administration, working TS Landscaping on weekends and vacations. Meanwhile Billy and Bobby kept things humming at the landscape business. He graduated in 2010. Since then he has taken classes at Illinois State University and Chicago Botanic Garden, read books and studied to learn 52

as much as possible about his chosen profession. TS Landscaping started when a neighbor asked if Szafranski, then 10 years old, would clear snow from his walk and driveway. Pretty soon the whole block had hired him. Mowing grass came soon afterwards and by his sophomore year in high school, when he got his license, he expanded beyond his immediate neighborhood. When he graduated college he worked for another neighbor who had a design/installation company. Within a year the neighbor was doing the design work and Szafranski was doing the installation. Although the man now is retired, he still serves as a consultant for TS Landscaping. Now Szafranski does some of the design work himself, although his neighbor does most of it. He has nine employees, divided into two crews and one installation crew. Ruegsegger has been doing the design work for TS Landscaping since 2010. “He always has an answer for clients,” says Szafranski. “He is experienced and knows how to fix problems.” A graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in horticulture, he is familiar with local plants and uses that knowledge in his designs. Szafranski has noticed that while his customers are looking for curb appeal, they also want low maintenance. “We’ve had a great amount of turnover in housing in our area,” he says. Often this is older owners selling to younger families. There also is a lot of new construction in Mount Prospect, Des Plaines, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Buffalo Grove and Arlington Heights – TS Landscaping’s primary service areas. The younger people are asking for design/installation work, while the older ones want maintenance work. “We also have a lot of drainage issues in our area,” he says. That means calls for TS Landscaping to provide grading and replace drainage tiles. He also notices that the bigger homes have massive roof lines, meaning that there is a lot of water running onto small lawns. “We have good relationships with our clients,” says Szafranski. “They feel comfortable coming to us with an array of problems and know that we can provide solutions that will work. Clients see that we will respond to their calls and that we will do what we say we will do.” In the spring of 2016, Szafranski joined ILCA with the ultimate goal of continuing his education. To that end he reads every issue of “The Landscape Contractor” magazine and plans to use the winter months to take more classes, as well as attend iLandscape. In his spare time, he heads for Wisconsin and Michigan to go fishing. He also has studied international business and even did a three-month internship in China in 2013, while his brother ran the business. He has kept in contact with the people he’s met this way and intends to do more.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

June 1, 2016

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Annual Calendar

Sustainable Maintenance Guide and Calendar For the next 15 months, ILCA will be releasing a monthly excerpt from the most current version (v3.0) of its Sustainable Maintenance Guide and Calendar in The Landscape Contractor magazine. The entire 12 month calendar is available to download at no cost to ILCA members, non-profits, public agencies, and units of government. Please email information@ilca.net to request a download of the entire guide and calendar. This guide is not available to private landscape companies who are not members of the ILCA. This guide is intended to equip Illinois Landscape Contractors Association members with all the tools necessary to implement a sustainable maintenance program. It takes into account the constraints of a landscape company in regards to costs, time, equipment, personnel, and horticultural knowledge. The guide is written so any landscape company can apply these maintenance principles to almost any commercial or residential landscape and improve the positive impact on the environment without sacrificing aesthetic quality.

SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE CALENDAR June 1, 2016

Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA) Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Annual Calendar

SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE CALENDAR

ÂŠ ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

New Members CONTRACTOR MEMBER

SUPPLIER MEMBER

A & T LawnCare & Landscaping, Inc Tony Seminerio 6479 Corrinas Curv Machesney Park, IL 61103 Phone: 815-509-3865 Email: jodi@atlawncarerockford.com www.atlawncarerockford.com Landscape Design & Installation, Hardscape, Ground Maintenance, Property Management, Erosion Control, Snow Plowing/Salting

Klyn Nurseries Inc. Kevin Czajka 3322 South Ridge Road Perry, OH 44081 Phone: 440-259-3811 Fax: 440-259-3388 Email: kczajka@klynnurseries.com www.klynnurseries.com Klyn Nurseries Inc. is a wholesale nursery serving landscape contractors, re-wholesalers, retail garden centers and municipalities. Klyn Nurseries lists over 1850 different species and cultivars to meet the needs of landscapers, garden centers, re-wholesalers, designers, municipalities, and parks. Our inventory includes bamboo, bog & marginals, grasses, perennials, ferns, vines, roses (shrub and climbing), dwarf conifers, shade and ornamental trees

ÂŠ ILLINOIS

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE OR DESIGN FIRM Escapes Landscape Design, Inc. Matt Ewert P.O. Box 101 Plano, IL 60545 Phone: 630-715-4704 Email: matt@escapesdesigns.com www.escapesdesigns.com Escapes Landscape Design, Inc. is a residential landscape design company that services the western suburbs of Chicago.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016 LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Not an ILCA Member? This is the time to join!

Call Marissa at 630-472-2851 for membership information or JOIN NOW at ilca.net

It will be your best investment in 2017!

7463 West Ridge Road P.O. Box 189 Fairview PA 16415 800.458.2234 Fax 800.343.6819 e-mail: info@FairviewEvergreen.com FairviewEvergreen.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Classified Ads HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Landscape Designer/Salesperson

James Martin Associates Vernon Hills, Illinois Boulder, Colorado

Estimator/Sales Assistant/Project Manager:

GREAT companies only exist because of GREAT people. Bruss Landscaping of Wheaton is looking to add another GREAT person to our team. 2017 marks our 65th year of providing high quality residential landscape design and installation services to DuPage and eastern Kane counties. We are searching for a talented individual to join our team. If you are GREAT at residential design and sales, have a proven sales record, are self-motivated and focused on GREAT customer service we would like to meet you. Candidates must have earned a four-year degree in Landscape Design/Architecture/Horticulture and have at least 5 years professional experience. Bruss is a relaxed work environment, although seasonally hectic, with a strong benefit package including vehicle, insurance, 401k, generous vacation allowance and reduced winter hours. Eric Bruss, ebruss@brusslandscaping.com, (630) 665-1600. Garden Center - Tree and Shrub Sales Red’s Garden Center is seeking a friendly, hardworking individual to join our nursery staff. This is a unique opportunity to use your knowledge about plants or to increase your knowledge, while getting your hands dirty. Sales will be main focus with the added responsibilities of loading/unloading trucks, tagging and maintaining plant material. plus other nursery duties. This is a year round position. Must be able to be on your feet for 8 hours +, lift over 50 lbs, work most weekends in the season, have the willingness to learn, and the ability to communicate clearly. Spanish speaking a plus.

Commercial Account Manager Residential Maintenance Account Manager Irrigation Technicians – Boulder location • Do you strive to enrich lives by creating an maintaining beautiful landscapes? • Are you enthused about managing and building client relationships? • Are you looking for a team environment with a company that values work-life balance and promotes safety first? James Martin Associates has given outstanding landscape services to residential and commercial clients in Design/Build, Maintenance and Snow Removal in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago area for almost 40 years. Please see our website, www.jamesmartinassociates.com, for more information about our company. We are also hiring Irrigation Technicians at our Colorado branch, L.I.D. Landscapes! See www. LIDLandscapes.com for a detailed job description and more about our award-winning company. If are interested in joining our team, please send your resume to Beth McElroy, at b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com, or call 847-876-8052.

Please email resume to: Jeff@redsgardencenter.com or call Jeff @ (847) 272-1209 with any questions

Green-Up has been creating enjoyable playground and outdoor park spaces for over 30 years and is seeking an Estimator/Sales Assistant/Project Manager: Obtains plans on projects generated by lead from Sales Representatives or publication and does plan take offs, coordinate material pricing with the purchasing department and entering bid information into computer systems. Join our growing team today! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www. green-up.com or contact Maria @ 847-487-5071. Goodmark and South Branch established in 1985 as a specialized nursery growing large specimen shad trees of four inch caliper and above along with ornamentals of eight foot height and above. Join our industry leading team! Inventory Manager: Maintain live, accurate inventories of Goodmark Nurseries and South Branch Nurseries; both in computer systems and on an Excel Spreadsheet. Update inventories on all platforms daily. Monitor additions of plant material harvested, purchased and depletions of plant material sold. Scout plant material for quality, disease and insect issues. Plant Heath Manager: Maintain a high quality plant product maintaining insect, disease and weeds levels within acceptable thresholds. Train and supervise field workers applying chemicals at both Goodmark and South Brach Nurseries. To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.goodmarknurseries.com or contact Maria @ 847.487.5071

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES JAMES MARTIN ASSOCIATES, INC. Vernon Hills, IL & Boulder, CO

James Martin Associates, Inc. is a leader in the Landscape and Snow Management industry. We have been providing services to our customers for over 39 years. We are seeking candidates for the following positions:

Residential Maintenance Account Manager

Irrigation Technicians

Commercial Maintenance Account Manager

To be considered for any of these opportunities, please forward your resume and salary history to b.mcelroy@jamesmartinassociates.com or call Beth at 847-876-8052.

Landscape Architecture • Construction • Maintenance • Snow Management

www.jamesmartinassociates.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

HELP WANTED

Acres Group, one of the top 20 professional landscape contractors in the nation, is seeking qualified candidates for their open positions throughout the Chicagoland area:

Residential Maintenance Account Manager

*Exterior LandscapeSales Associate/Account Manager*

Sr. Maintenance Production Manager: Coordinate maintenance division activities, while managing and providing daily supervision and support for multiple maintenance managers and their crews. Sales Arborist/Project Manager: Manage and sell tree work within the Company’s safety, quality and efficiency standards. Communicate with customers both internal and external to ensure satisfaction with service and solve problems to foster a positive, long-term relationship and discuss additional work recommendations. Ensure jobs are sold and performed within required financial performance objectives. ACCOUNT MANAGERS (junior & senior levels) Opportunities in Wauconda, Roselle & Plainfield -Manage a portfolio of accounts in lawn and snow providing high levels of customer service; make horticultural recommendations & sell property enhancements in lawn and ice melt in snow; sell new contracted lawn & snow accounts. Entry level positions manage a small portfolio of accounts in addition to assisting and shadowing senior level account managers. * Join our industry leading team! To view full job descriptions and apply online, visit us at www.acresgroup.com or contact Maria@ 847487-5071. Professional Exterior Experienced Landscape Estimator McFarlane Douglass & Co, is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship without regard for race,religion,color,national origin,gender,age,disability, or veteran status. We are seeking for a free lance pay per job estimator for Exterior Landscape, Landscape Maintenance and construction hardscape. Proven field experience in the Chicago and Suburban metropolitan markets. Please send resume to: lucy@mcfarlanedouglass.com

Rosborough Partners, Inc. is accepting resumes for an experienced Residential Maintenance Account Manager to manage portfolio of residential maintenance clients. Responsibilities include preparing proposals, contract renewals, identifying and selling new sales leads and ensuring quality control is followed on client sites. Revenue and profitability goals will be set each year and accomplished by analyzing, planning, organizing, and adjusting schedules to achieve efficient use of resources and people. Establishing, building and maintaining client relationships are the keys to being successful in this position.

Landscape industry experience and/or a horticultural degree are required. English & Spanish fluency is a plus. We offer competitive wages and benefits. Please email resume to: resumes@rosboroughpartners.com Yard Drainage Designer Dig Right In specializes in a variety of yard drainage solutions primarily for residential customers. We are seeking a landscape designer with little to no experience who is eager to learn from the best in the business. You have a basic understanding of water dynamics in the landscape and the challenges associated with small lots, clayey soil and climate change. You tend to geek-out to hydrogeology and you know a thing or two about rain gardens, infiltration systems, piping, stormwater management, green infrastructure, and sustainable landscaping techniques. You must demonstrate proficiency in sales; customer service; contract writing, estimating, and negotiating; landscape design; project management; and a willingness to learn. Designers must demonstrate applicable experience or education such as an accredited landscape design program, certificate or equivalent. Computer (Excel & Word) and confident sales skills a plus. Compensation based upon prior experience and skill level as demonstrated by portfolio, plus incentives. Please send resume to: krista@digrightin.com

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

McFarlane Douglass & Co, is committed to providing equal opportunity for employees and applicants in all aspects of the employment relationship without regard for race, religion,color,national origin, gender, age, disability, or veteran status. We are seeking a full time addition to our Sales/ Operations Team. This individual will be responsible for outside sales with ability to design landscapes and work closely with crews to see projects through the installation process. 5 yrs Outside Sales and Supervisory experience in the Horticultural industry a must with Landscape Design abilities. This individual will be responsible for presenting and selling landscape maintenance and small-scale construction services to potential clients as well as enhancements to existing clients. This position requires an individual with exceptional sales history and a preferred minimums of 3 years experience with exterior landscape design and construction. Must be able to prospect for new clients with a high degree of organizational skills. Time management and strong communication skills are a must. Strong knowledge of plants that thrive in midwestern climate, along with knowledge of annuals & tropicals for enhancement displays. Solid estimating skills, and knowledge of native plantings and hardscape installations. LEED Professional preferred. Benefits include: Comp salary, Health, 401k and paid holidays/sick/vacation time. Please send resume to: lucy@mcfarlanedouglass.com CLASSIFIED ADS CLOSING DATES & RATES January 2017 issue ads: December 15, 2016 February 2017 issue ads: January 5, 2017 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 O’Connor (630) 472-2851

Classified Ads HELP WANTED Woodlawns Landscape Company, Inc. Mundelein, Illinois MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT MANAGER Woodlawns Landscape is seeking an accomplished ‘Account Manager’ to manage and expand our commercial and multi-family residential portfolio in the Chicagoland area. The person we are looking for is experienced, proactive, enthusiastic, driven and client orientated to grow with our twenty year old company. LANDSCAPE ENHANCEMENT SUPERVISOR Woodlawns Landscape Enhancement Supervisor will coordinate all enhancement site activities, supervise personnel and coordinate subcontractors to successfully complete projects on time and within budget. Please email your resume to: Charlie.noll@woodlawnslandscape.com or call (224) 206-7427

Landscape Maintenance Estimator/ Account Manager We are looking for an additional year-round Landscape Maintenance Estimator/Account Manager to be our primary contact in maintaining relationships with existing condominium & townhome clients. Familiarity with maintenance estimating and pricing skill is required, along with a thorough knowledge of landscape maintenance and maintenance enhancement procedures. Come join our growing team and be an integral part of a large and successful business in the South Suburbs. For 32 years we have been growing a friendly and comfortable work environment that values quality of work as much as quality time away from the office.

HELP WANTED Landscape Project Manager We’re looking for an experienced individual with expertise in landscape construction observation and project management. We are a dynamic and growing firm with a commitment to innovative design and the highest quality in our built projects. A successful candidate will be very organized, have a knack for record keeping, communicates effectively and thrives in a team setting. As a project manager on the construction team you will do extensive research on construction guidelines and zoning codes. Experience in project budgeting is required and tasks will include materials specifications, redline drawing sets, and plant tagging. The ability to communicate well both with clients, other types of workers (contractors, supervisors, etc.) and project teams is crucial as well as having a high level of proficiency in AutoCAD, Adobe Site, Sketchup and Microsoft Office A bachelor’s or master’s degree in landscape design or landscape architecture is required Please send resumes to: resumes@hoerrschaudt.com

HELP WANTED  CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING also available on ILCA’s WEB SITE www.ilca.net Call for information (630) 472-2851 

The Landscape Contractor is the Midwest’s premier monthly magazine for the landscape, nursery and garden center business. •

•

Sales and marketing statistics show that the single best way to reach buyers is through highly-targeted specialty magazines. This award-winning magazine is frequently hailed as the best magazine of its kind. Put your message in this flattering environment. The Landscape Contractor has an affordable advertising program for every budget.

Reach More Buyers and Make More Sales!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum 3 years’ experience in related field Must possess a valid driver’s license Good insect/disease diagnosis skills Bi-lingual is helpful, Degree in Horticulture is helpful, but not required

For immediate attention CALL Debbie at 817-501-2403

or email — debbie.landscapecontractor@ yahoo.com

Please send your resume and salary requirements to: info@suburbanlandscaping.net

Successful suppliers know— industry leaders read this magazine.

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Advertisers

Attention Landscape Contractors:

Bartlett Tree Experts .............................................50 Beaver Creek Nursery ..........................................51 Carlin Sales...............................................................6

Remember to Support ILCA Supporters!

These include:

Chicagoland Gardening .........................................61

Compost Supply .....................................................12 Doty Nurseries LLC ..............................................6 Fairview Evergreen Nursery ...................................57 Green Glen Nursery ...............................................63 B. Haney & Sons, Inc. ............................................57 Hinsdale Nurseries, Inc. .......................................16 Homer Industries ....................................................53 iLandscape 2017 ...........................................28, 45, 49

• Members & Advertisers who supply goods and services • Members who sponsor ILCA programs and events

Where will you find them? • ILCA Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide • The Landscape Contractor magazine advertising • The Landscape Contractor magazine reports of events with sponsor acknowledgments • www.ilca.net member lists – Finding a Landscape Contractor & Suppliers to the Trade

James Martin Associates .........................................58 Lafarge River Stone ..............................................50 Longshadow Planters .............................................13 Lurvey Supply ........................................................39 McGinty Bros. ........................................................31 Midwest Groundcovers .........................................47 Midwest Trading ....................................................2 Mobile Fleet Express .............................................14 NutoneHaven ........................................................15 ProGreen Plus ........................................................6 Spring Meadow Nursery .........................................11 Stockyards Brick Co. ...............................................25 The Care of Trees ...................................................6 The Landscacpe Contractor magazine ....................60 The Mulch Center ...................................................51 Unilock, Inc. ...........................................................64

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

All-Star Plants

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli By Paul Guzzetta

Some plants

— just like All-Star athletes — make everyone around them look better. What’s a plant you can use — and recommend — with confidence? We’ve asked ILCA members who are also members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois — to share their thoughts on proven performers. My first introduction to species Crataegus crus-galli was somewhat of a premonition. In my past life I worked in the advertising industry. My office was located on Michigan Avenue and I spent many lunch breaks perched on the raised planters that contain these beautiful plants in the South Garden of the Art Institute of Chicago. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered that those very trees were supplied in the mid 60s by our family farm, planted in a gridded space that was no greater than a few feet deep and designed by the late Landscape Architect Dan Kiley. Today C. crus-galli with its inherent and prominent 2” thorns can be substituted by the thornless cultivar, Crataegus crus-galli var. inermis. A member of the Rosaceae family, thornless cockspur hawthorn is an excellent small globular tree with broad horizontal branching. It can tackle many adverse urban conditions; observed by its adaptability to poor and compacted soils, air pollution and drought like environments. Grown in zones 4-8, this native (species) ornamental tree matures to about 25’ tall x 30’ wide. It’s oblong foliage is dark glossy to waxy green that sit upright above the stem. Profuse 2” clusters of white flowers appear in late May followed by small ½” wide dark red fruit, that ripens in the fall and often persists into January or later. Autumn color is often a showy display of bronze-red and orange. Thornless cockspur hawthorn can be found grown as a singlestemmed tree or a multi-stemmed plant. I’ve seen it used successfully in mass plantings and screening but also as a bosque of single-stemmed plants such as those utilized by Mr. Kiley in the South Garden. Like its older sister, species C. crus-galli, thornless cockspur hawthorn is also a wonderful choice for naturalized plantings.

Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn — Crataegus crus-galli Size

25’ tall x 30’ wide Foliage

Dark glossy to waxy green that sit upright above the stem.

Culture

It can tackle many adverse urban conditions; observed by its adaptability to poor and compacted soils, air pollution and drought like environments. This native is grown in zones 4-8

The Landscape Contractor December 2016

Members of the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois will be the exclusive provider of content for the Plant All-Stars page during 2016.