Horticulture Review - October 2009

2 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009

269 Sunset DriveSt. Thomas, Ontario N5R 3C4Phone: (519) 631-1008Fax: (519) 631-0818 E-mail: [email protected]

...AND MUCH MORE!

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HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009 3

premier fall buying show for the green and floral industries and celebrates its 10th anniversary with the theme of ‘Trends for 2010.’ Note the new show hours for this year, Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.gardenexpo.ca.

October 20Landscape Designers’ BreakfastToronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road This new event at Garden & Floral Expo 2009 will bring together designers and suppliers to the trade from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Full details and registration on the show website at www.gardenexpo.ca

October 21Interiorscape Breakfast WorkshopToronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon RoadThis year, the Interior Plantscape group is hold-ing a unique breakfast meeting from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. during the second day of Garden & Floral Expo. Full details and registration on the show website at www.gardenexpo.ca

November 5Growers’ Group fall dinner meetingQuality Inn and Suites, 754 Bronte Rd., OakvilleMark your calendars for the LO Growers Group fall dinner meeting.

Chapter eventsFor more chapter event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

Landscape Ontario and industry eventsFor more Landscape Ontario and industry event listings, visit www.horttrades.com.

269 Sunset DriveSt. Thomas, Ontario N5R 3C4Phone: (519) 631-1008Fax: (519) 631-0818 E-mail: [email protected]

October 19Garden Centre SymposiumToronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon Road Tom Shay, Kip Creel and Jeff Morey, three of the most dynamic presenters of business, sales and marketing in the nursery trades will head-line the speaker lineup for the Garden Centre Symposium, scheduled for Mon., Oct. 19. The garden centre and nursery business professionals are. A recognition ceremony and luncheon will announce the winners of the 2009 garden centre awards program, and honour the winners of the growers program from the research auction. The symposium is part of the 10th annual Garden and Floral Expo trade show at the Toronto Congress Centre, set for Oct. 20 and 21. Register at www.gardenexpo.ca, under the education tab.

October 19 - 21World Green Roof CongressSheraton Centre, TorontoIn partnership with the City of Toronto and the World Green Roof Infrastructure Network, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has announced the inaugural CitiesAlive World Green Roof Infrastructure Congress. The website is www.citiesalive.org.

October 20 - October 21Garden & Floral ExpoToronto Congress Centre, 650 Dixon RoadThis trade-only event has grown to be Canada’s

October 20Ottawa Chapter meetingRA Centre, 2451 Riverside Dr., OttawaPlan to attend the October 20 Ottawa chapter meeting on Tues., Oct. 20, at the RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive. Coffee and network-ing opportunities are available at 9:30 a.m., with the meeting at 10 a.m. The topic and guest speaker are, Recent Projects and New Approaches to Landscape Design - A picto-rial survey of recent residential commis-sions by Ottawa landscape architect John Szczepaniak’s firm. For more information contact Lynn Lane at 613-796-5156, or [email protected].

October 23Argos and Ti-CatsRogers Centre, TorontoCome out and cheer on your favourite local CFL team at the Landscape Ontario Green for Life day, featuring the Toronto Argos and Hamilton Ti-Cats. Tickets are $22 per person. This great family event will have many fun opportunities. Bus packages will be avail-able from the following LO chapters: Golden Horseshoe, Waterloo and Durham. Contact Stephanie Smith at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or email [email protected]. Tickets on sale at www.locc.ca.

November 7Windsor Chapter meeting and awards ceremonyGriffs Restaurant, St. Clair College, 200 Talbot St, WindsorPlease join the chapter at 4:00 p.m., to see the presentation of this year’s winners for the Awards of Distinction. See a slide show of all entries, and find out how you can enter next year’s awards. There is no charge for this meeting. Please contact [email protected], or 1-888-211-5606, ext. 2356.

November 10London chapter meeting Lamplighter Inn, Regency B Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London Please join the chapter and guest speaker Perry Molema of Aquascape, who will pres-ent new information on water features and rainwater harvesting. Social hour is 6 to 7:00 p.m. There is no charge for this meeting.


Executive board PresidentRobert Adams, robertadams@ Past presidentBob Tubby CLP, bobtubby@ First vice-presidentTom Intven, tintven@

Second vice-presidentTim Kearney CLP, tkearney@

Secretary/treasurerPhil Charal, pcharal@

Provincial BoardDurham ChapterPresident: Greg ScarlettBoard rep: Mark Humphries, mhumphries@

Georgian Lakelands ChapterPresident: Michael La Porte Board rep: Mark Goodman

Golden Horseshoe ChapterPresident: Tim Cruickshanks, tcruickshanks@Board rep: Walter Hasselman

London ChapterPresident: Tim Cradduck, tcradduck@Board rep: Peter Vanderley

Ottawa ChapterPresident: Sarah Johnston Board rep: Bruce Morton CLP, CIT

Toronto ChapterPresident: Fiona Penn Zieba Board rep: George Urvari, gurvari@

Upper Canada ChapterPresident and board rep: Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, pdoornbos@

Waterloo ChapterPresident: David Wright Board rep: Mike Hayes

ISSN 0823-8472Publications Mail Agreement No. PM40013519Return UndeliverableCanadian Addresses To:Circulation DepartmentHorticulture Review 7856 Fifth Line SouthMilton, ON L9T 2X8

Horticulture Review The Voice of Landscape OntarioOctober 15, 2009 • Volume 27, No. 10

LO staff members are committed to member ser-vice. Please call with your questions or concerns.

Tel: (905) 875-1805 or 1-800-265-5656 Fax: (905) 875-3942Web: www.horttrades.com

E-mail suffix for all staff members: @landscapeontario.com

Views expressed in Horticulture Review are those of the writer concerned. Horticulture Review and Landscape Ontario assume no responsibility for the validity or correctness of any opinions or references made by the author. Copyright 2008, reproduction or the use of whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited. Published 12x per year. Rates and deadlines are available on request. Subscription price: $40.43 per year (GST included). For subscription and address changes, please e-mail [email protected]

Landscape Ontario’s mandate is to be the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable environment for the advancement of the horticultural industry in Ontario. Suffix for all e-mail addresses below: @landscapeontario.com

Executive director Tony DiGiovanni CHT, ext. 304, tonydigiovanni@

Executive assistant Kathleen Pugliese, ext. 309, kpugliese@

Controller Joe Sabatino, ext. 310, jsabatino@

Administrative assistantJane Leworthy, ext. 301, jleworthy@

Project and event coordinatorKristen McIntyre CHT, ext. 321, kristenm@

Membership and chapter coordinator. membership services teamStephanie Smith, ext. 354, ssmith@

Membership coordinator, Ottawa ChapterLynn Lane, 613-796-5156, llane@

Membership coordinator, London and Windsor Chapters Wendy Harry, 519-488-0818, wharry@

Manager, information technology Ian Service, 416-848-7555, iservice@

Manager, Pesticide Industry Council Tom Somerville, tsomerville@

Nursery technical analystFrancesco Pacelli, ext. 377, fpacelli@

Manager, education and labour developmentSally Harvey CHT, CLP, ext. 315, sharvey@

Education and labour developmentKathy McLean, ext. 306, kathym@

Education and labour developmentPaul Ronan, ext. 349, pronan@

Project coordinator, Education and labour developmentRachel Burt, ext. 326, rachelb@

Trade show manager Paul Day CDE, ext. 339, paulday@

Trade show sales Lorraine Ivanoff, ext. 366, lpi@

Trade show coordinatorLinda Nodello, ext. 353, lnodello@

Sales and business development managerGilles Bouchard, ext. 323, gbouchard@

Director of public relations Denis Flanagan CLD, ext. 303, dflanagan@

Publisher Lee Ann Knudsen CLP, ext. 314, lak@

Editorial director Sarah Willis, ext. 313, sarahw@

Editor Allan Dennis, ext. 320, aldennis@

Web editorRobert Ellidge, ext. 312, rob@

Art directorMelissa Steep, 647-723-5447, msteep@

Graphic designer Mike Wasilewski, ext. 343, mikew@

Sales manager, publications Steve Moyer, ext. 316, stevemoyer@

Communications assistant Angela Lindsay, ext. 305, alindsay@

Windsor ChapterPresident: Karl Klinck, kklinck@Board rep: Garry Moore

Landscape DesignChair and board rep:Beth Edney CLD, bedney@

Garden CentreChair and board rep: Bob McCannell, bmccannell@

Grounds ManagementChair: Mike DeBoer, CHTBoard rep: Brian Marsh

GrowersCo-chairs:Bart Brusse, Dave BraunBoard rep: Dave Braun

Interior PlantscapesChair and board rep: Stephen Schell CHT

IrrigationChair: Chris Le ConteBoard rep: Steve Macartney CIT, smacartney@

Landscape ContractorsChair: Peter GuinaneBoard rep: Bruce Warren

Lawn CareChair: Gavin DawsonBoard rep: Alan White, awhite@

LightingChair and Board rep: John Higo

Snow and Ice ManagementChair: Ed Hewis Board rep: Gerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Members at LargeJacki Hart CLPGregg Salivan

CNLA Board RepGerald Boot CLP, geraldboot@

Landscape Ontario staff


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ProHort LTrades ad_o.pdf 1 08/09/09 1:37 PM


EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Tony DiGiovanni

Uxbridge Nurseries

“We keep on growing”

P.O.BOX 400,UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO L9P 1M8

905.655.3379 1.877.655.3379

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009

P.O.BOX 400,P.O.BOX 400,UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO L9P 1M8UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO L9P 1M8

905.655.3379 1.877.655.3379

www.uxbridgenurseries.comFAX: 905.655.8544

[email protected]

Tony DiGiovanni CHTLO executive director

About a year ago, Nick Close, land-scape architect for the Ministry of Transportation, came by my office with

a PowerPoint presentation that depicted many years of plant failures on Ontario highways. As a landscape archi-tect responsible for the plant material, he was frustrated. He knew the huge benefits that plants provide, especially on highways, yet the harsh conditions make it an unfriendly place to grow

plants. I asked him if he knew of any successful plantings. He pointed to one example in Ottawa, where a reforestation-style planting proved very successful.

This discussion gave birth to an idea that we should encourage the Ministry of Transportation to initiate a pilot project. The plan called for research and demonstrations to find the best processes and plant species that would survive and thrive on Ontario’s highways. From our talk came the idea that the research portion should be managed by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

This fall, because of the foresight of the Ministry of Transportation and Minister Jim Bradley, the site preparation for this research and demonstration project will begin at the intersec-tion of Highways 401 and 427. Planting will take place in the spring.

One exciting component of this research project is that some of the plants are being grown in retractable roof greenhouses. This is signifi-

Greening Ontario’s highwayscant, as many plants in nurseries are started from liners (starter plants usually in seedling or budded form). Many of the liners are grown in Oregon and shipped to Ontario growers. The Oregon cli-mate is great for starting plants.

The liners for this research project are being grown in Ontario in retractable roof greenhouses. If things go as planned, not only will this proj-ect find the plants and processes that will lead to planting success on Ontario’s highways, but we will be building a local liner nursery production industry at the same time.

The larger vision Landscape Ontario is hoping that this initial research and demonstration project will blos-som into the development of a North American Centre for Highway Greening at Vineland. This could be a first. It also fits with Vineland’s world class vision. The centre could be a catalyst for documenting the huge environmental and safety benefits derived from planting along highways.

If highway authorities would dedicate a fraction of their budgets to centralized research and innovation, they would save a huge amount in remediation and maintenance costs and at the same time generate enormous health and eco-nomic benefits.

Research could deal with many fundamen-tal issues, such as plant selection, soil media, cul-tural practices, plants for noise barriers, the role of highway plantings in the environment, the role of plants in reducing accidents due to snow drifting, planting design, plants for windbreaks, plants for erosion control, plants for filtering emissions, the role of plants in reducing carbon dioxide, highway plantings and tourism, the role of plants in filtering salt accumulation, highways and climate change, water retention design, eco-nomic benefit of highway plantings, filtering

highway water runoff, the role of highway plant-ings in oxygen production, etc., etc.

Environmental and societal benefitsConsider the environmental and societal benefits that would occur by research into these issues. I would like to focus on a couple: • Emissions: Most of the emissions on

highways are in the form of carbon dioxide. Many people are aware that carbon dioxide infl uences climate change, however, they sometimes forget that carbon dioxide is like a fertilizer for plants. Plants trap carbon dioxide. In fact, plant growth is enhanced in carbon dioxide-rich environments. As a huge side benefi t, plants produce oxygen and fi lter the air.

• Dust and particulates: There is a huge amount of dust and particulates generated by the constant movement of vehicles on highways. Have you ever thought about where the tire dust goes when tires wear down? It has to go somewhere. The truth is we are covered in a fi ne dust of particulates, including tire dust. We are constantly breathing in dust and particulates. What is not commonly known is that plants, especially evergreens, trap and fi lter these particulates. This is another reason is why greening our highways is important.

• Benefi ts to society: There are many other benefi ts that will come from greening Ontario’s highways. We are hoping that the Ministry of Transportation and Vineland Research and Innovation Centre will assume a leadership role in educating Canada on what benefi ts will be derived from such a process.

Bruce Cockburn has an excellent line in one of his songs, “When you stare at too much con-crete, you forget the earth is alive.” We are excited to be involved with this Greening Ontario’s Highways Research and Demonstration project and want to thank the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Vineland Centre of Research and Innovation for the foresight and leadership and remember-ing that the earth is alive. It’s all part of all us understanding that it is important to be “Green for Life.”

Tony DiGiovanni may be reached at [email protected].


Benefits of Safety Groups• Keep Ontario workers safe• Increase competitiveness• Fewer WSIB claims• More effective return to work• Enhance employee morale• Increase productivity and improve quality• Access to health and safety resources• Best practices through networking• Structured approach for a sustainable healthand safety program• Create and nurture a safety culture in the

workplace• Earn financial incentive

To Join a Safety Groups Program, a firm must have the owner or senior management commit to participate in the program, be pay-ing premiums to the WSIB, be in good standing with the WSIB without charges, or convictions under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, be committed to participating for at least one full calendar year, be in only one safety group at a time and not be a member of the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP).

The Landscape Ontario Safety Group offers safety group members five to six meet-ings from January to December, at the Milton home office, to develop strategies that help to become compliant or maintain compliance with the Ontario Health and Safety Act. The meetings set the stage for a firm to develop its own safety program, to network with similar businesses and take part in seminars covering up-to-date information and changes that affect safety in our workplaces.

Remember, it is not enough to just have policies in place. The law requires that we fol-low the steps outlined below to ensure that policy and procedures are practiced and con-tinuously improved.

Safety is an ongoing live program that should be practiced by all staff on a daily basis to ensure the health and safety of all. Safety Groups’ registration closes Dec. 31, 2009, so register now at: www.horttrades.com/safety.

Next month we will preview Congress 2010 seminar topics that will allow you to plan your days at Congress. It offers several sympo-sia and seminars, between Jan. 12 to 14. Mark these dates in your calendars.

Sally Harvey may be reached at [email protected].

Sally Harvey CHT, CLPEducation and Labour Development

With the Fall season upon us, LO brings our members many opportu-nities to expand their horizons.

For instance, Garden Expo, on Oct. 21 and 22, will offer new products, network-ing and education through the annual Garden Centre Symposium, Landscape Designers’ Breakfast and the Interiorscape Breakfast. Go to www.gardenexpo.ca to register today. I hope to see you there.

Our team has organized all training and development events this year to ensure that edu-cation is aligned with our theme, Sustainable Prosperity. The theme reflects our goal to help you, our members, become more prosperous through excellent technical, professional and environmental development programs. With that you will see focus on business manage-ment, technical upgrading and skill develop-ment, along with environmental stewardship strategies.

Staff at Landscape Ontario are pleased to be partners to help each and every one of our members become more prosperous!

We are excited to release the 2009 – 2010 Landscape Ontario Professional Development Guide. It will be available at Garden Expo and arrive to members with this issue of Horticulture Review. Kathy McLean has worked to ensure that the education offered throughout Ontario is up-to-date, relevant, engaging and allows each attendee the opportunity to expand his knowledge and skill base, which will contrib-ute to taking every business to the next level. Some new seminars topics include:• Be a water leader• Seize control of your operating budget • Lean thinking in green industries• Installation and construction week• CHT prep seminar: turf and ornamental

maintenance• CHT prep seminar: soft and hardscape

installation• Chiseled in stone

We take those seminar surveys very seri-ously. Kathy aligned the seminars according to member survey input. You will notice a new format this year that should be easier to determine who should attend and what learning outcomes to expect. We have also included a simple template of a training plan. I encourage you to give this tool a try. Copy the training

October is time to register for professional developmentplan for each employee, and encourage them to select seminars and training from the new guide, based on the next steps that you agreed upon during the most recent performance review. Employers can then manage the train-ing journey more accurately and know that those next steps in development are happen-ing. What better way to invest in your people and your business? It’s great for employees, knowing that they matter and that you are seri-ous about their development. It’s time to get those performance reviews completed now, if you have not already done so. To register for the professional development seminars please go to: https://secure.landscapeontario.com/locc/seminars. Sign up today to avoid disap-pointment.

We have strived to make the Professional Development Guide as inclusive as possible. However, as a team striving to bring the best to our members, we do tend to augment your opportunities from time to time. We will keep you informed via e-news in LO This Week. You may sign-up your staff to receive their own copy of e-news by contacting the LO home office.

Apprenticeship opportunities growingApprenticeship, as you should know by now, has become an even greater gift with the new Red Seal designation. More recently, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant was approved, which sweetens the pot by another $2,000 for those apprentices who complete their C of Q exams. We are working closely with industry, colleges and Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities to expand the loca-tions where apprenticeship is offered. By reg-istering your employees in the apprenticeship program, it will encourage the MTCU to offer the program in more areas. Sign them up now, if you have not already done so. Go to www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training. It is also time to register for the Safety Group, starting in January of 2010. The Safety Groups Program (SGP) is an innovative initiative that Workers Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) has implemented to help prevent work-place injuries and illnesses in Ontario. This five year program is voluntary and rewards firms that implement effective health and safety pro-grams and return-to-work measures into the daily business routine.

PROFESSIONAL AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT


Mark Cullen regularly entertains viewers with host Jeff Hutchinson on the CTV national network. I have joined Colleen Brown on CBC for some weather-related gardening advice this year. And, our good friend Frankie Flowers on CITY TV often promotes Landscape Ontario on his show.

Our Green for Life garden at last year’s Canada Blooms was a big hit with the media. It became a colourful set as a broadcast base. Susan Hay of Global TV used our garden as a daily location for her live presentation of the weather forecast.

At Canada Blooms, we also made a special presentation to famous weatherman, Dave Devall of CFTO, in recognition of serving over 40 years in the business. We presented him with a plaque that read, “Thank you for all those rainy day forecasts that made our gardens grow.” LO mem-ber Paul Offierski, owner of PAO Horticultural, played a major part in our display and decided it would be fitting to honour Dave’s retirement with a permanent feature. PAO donated and installed a magnificent, 40-foot sugar maple (Acer saccharum) at the CFTO/CTV studio in Agincourt. An official ceremony was held in September to celebrate Dave Devall’s lifetime achievement of having the “longest career as a weather forecaster.” This also qualified him to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records.

This fall, if you are driving along Highway 401, look northward at McCowan Road and you will see this landmark tree ablaze in colour.

Our plan for 2010 is to continue linking our Green for Life campaign with the weather media. Who knows, maybe our persistence will result in customized weather patterns for all sec-tors of our industry. Now wouldn’t that be nice for all those members just about to gear-up for the winter season?

Denis Flanagan can be reached at [email protected].

By Denis Flanagan CLDDirector of public relations

Whenever LO members come together, it’s guaranteed that the weather will be a topic in any conversation. What

might have been a wet miserable month for con-tractors and irrigation companies, on the other hand was a blessing for growers.

Members of the public do somewhat the

PUBLIC RELATIONSWeather forecasters are friends of LO

same. We all have an opinion on the weather, with all of us holding the forecasters accountable.

So, it’s a natural connection that our Green for Life public relations campaign aligns our industry with the stars of weather forecasting on the TV screen. Many of our members already make appearances on The Weather Channel. We have a link on our LO website (www.land-scapeontario.com under the menu heading ‘Plant Resource’) to keep consumers informed.

Dave Devall loves his new tree.

“Growing today for a greener

tomorrow”

M. PUTZERHORNBY NURSERY LTD.

Purple Fountain Beech

7314 Sixth Line Hornby, ON L0P 1E0 Phone: 905-878-7226

or 905-878-7367 Toll free: 800-337-3363

Fax: 905-878-8737 [email protected]


Dave Devall loves his new tree.

After 17 years, former oil industry executive still enjoys successful lawn care business

LO MEMBER PROFILE Nutri-Lawn - Burlington:

By Allan Dennis

Seventeen years ago Don McQueen left a successful career in the oil business to turn an avocation into a vocation. McQueen

never planned to be self employed, but the move turned out well, building upon his agricultural background prior to the oil business.

After investigating the opportunities that existed, McQueen decided upon, at the time, a relatively young lawn care company named Nutri-Lawn. Even back in the 1990s, Nutri-Lawn had an ecology friendly system in place to care for lawns. “The company’s philosophy grabbed my attention,” he says. “They were way ahead of the curve.”

After numerous moves across the country with oil companies, McQueen moved back to his home turf in the Hamilton area. Today, living in Oakville, he operates a successful Nutri-Lawn franchise in Burlington, serving commercial, res-idential and municipal clients in the communities of Halton, Hamilton and surrounding areas.

Even though things have been a bit tough for the lawn care industry, McQueen still main-tains his enthusiasm for the business. “It is a great place to work. There is still a place for lawn care companies,” he says. He notes that the strong will survive.

Lawn care companies are messengersHit with the provincial ban on all chemical pesticides back in April of this year, McQueen finds lawn care companies have become the messenger on the issue to inform consumers what is involved with the new law. He says that a number of customers understand that without our previous tools (pesticides), the focus is more on agronomy to fix the problem, rather than on pesticides to treat the symptom. “Unfortunately, when pest thresholds are too great for the lawn to overcome, in some cases there are no real effective solutions available to us.” He uses the example of chinch bugs. “There are no approved products to control chinch bugs right now.”

Then there is the problem of the reces-sion which was a double-whammy for lawn care operators, while the past two consecu-tive summers saw record amounts of rain, which didn’t make things too pleasant for those lawn care companies that include irrigation as

part of the business. Despite all this,

McQueen is still excited about his business and is optimistic for the future. “This is a fan-tastic business to be in. There are so many good people in this industry.” He is confident he and his company will be around for many years. He says it will take cre-ativity, hard work and preparation, but the industry will survive.

One area that falls under the creative aspect is the Christmas Décor part of the busi-ness. McQueen’s com-pany has been handling this unique service for 11 years. “It’s been very successful for us,” he says. “It also provides year-round employ-ment.” He reflects that Christmas Décor is much different than the lawn care service. “It’s very creative and a great way to end the year after a busy lawn care season.”

Education important for industryHe believes that in order to survive in today’s business climate, it is important to promote edu-cation. “People are surprised when they find out how well educated some of the leaders are in this industry.” On top of formal education and expe-rience, he cites certification, IPM and the numer-ous seminars and courses offered by Landscape Ontario. “By educating members of the lawn care industry, it not only helps with conducting the hands-on task, but also improves our image as an industry.”

McQueen first became involved in the LO lawn care sector group back in 2000. “I joined the committee just as the pesticide issue was beginning to steam-up. Being involved with the LO group really opened up my eyes to the industry.”

He says that it’s amazing how members of the sector group will be so open about how they deal with problems. “Even though we could potentially be competitors, we do share best practice information among us,” says McQueen. “I have made some great friends from serving on the committee. And, from a professional point of view the sector group really does elevate the pro-fessional status of lawn care operations.”

On the issue of fighting the pesticide ban, McQueen says that the lawn care group really worked hard and tried its best to fight the issue, “but politics overcame science.”

With optimism, McQueen says, “Our industry will continue to be around far into the future. There will be a transition over the next three to five years as new products and services are introduced to take care of turf. Once home-owners become used to the new age of lawn care, the industry will be off to new heights.”

With people such as Don McQueen among the leaders, the industry is in good hands as it works to find its way in a new world.

Don McQueen of Nutri-Lawn.


By Kristen McIntyre CHTProject and event coordinator

More than 200 members and industry professionals enjoyed great weather and even better plant material at the

LO Growers’ Group Auction on Sept. 10. Held at Somerville Nurseries’ 800 acre

Loretto Farm location, sales were brisk with more than $18,000 raised through the donated plant material and related products. Proceeds from the event will benefit horticultural research and scholarships. This year also featured a silent auction with weekend getaways and wine pack-ages as prizes. The ticket sale booth was a very popular stop throughout the day.

Each auction lot was assigned a raffle num-ber, with all winning bids entered into a draw for a 40-inch LCD TV, generously donated by Plant Products and Nursery Supplies. Congratulations to Brian Cocks CHT for his exciting win.

Operating since 1950, Somerville Nurseries has more than 30 farms, with close to 3,000 acres in production. The production acreage is split among Christmas tree, nursery and seedling divi-sions. Visitors were offered early morning wagon tours of the Christmas tree production farm and walking tours of the nursery.

Georgian Lakelands Chapter board of directors manned the barbecue, serving up a deli-cious lunch for the hungry crowd. During lunch, presentations were made by Somerville’s own Fred Somerville, Paul Fraser and founder John Somerville. Growers’ Group chair Dave Braun and LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni thanked everyone involved, including a plaque presentation to Somerville Nurseries. Dr. Michael Brownbridge, research director of horticultural production systems at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, also addressed the audience.

Growers raise over $18,000 at auctionGrowers Award Winners, 2009

Category Plants CompanyCategory 1Evergreens Picea glauca Sheridan- Field Grown NurseriesUpright and Spreading Category 2Evergreens Evergreens Willowbrook- Container Grown NurseriesUpright and Spreading Category 3broadleaf broadleaf WillowbrookEvergreens Evergreens NurseriesCategory 4Deciduous Shrubs Deciduous Langendoen Shrubs NurseriesCategory 5Deciduous Fagus WinkelmolenOrnamental Trees sylvatica Nurseries300 Cm Or Less ‘Purpurea’ Category 6Deciduous Salix x Hakuro WinkelmolenOrnamental Trees Nishiki Std and NurseriesTop Grafted/Worked Cotoneaster praecox Std Category 7Caliper Trees Acer braun campestre NurseryCategory 8Vines Polystichum Ground Coversand Groundcovers acrostichoides UnlimitedCategory 9Perennials Perennials Connon Nurseries NVK Category 10Unusual Ginkgo biloba Winkelmolenand Rare Plants ‘Mariken’ NurseriesCategory 11Design on a Skid Display of Willowbrook Assorted Nurseries MaterialJudges’ Choice Maclura Connon pomifera Nurseries NVK

He highlighted the purpose and function of the centre.

The Growers’ Awards of Excellence entries were judged in the morning and the win-ners announced at the end of the auction. Dave Braun presented the growers with an Awards of Excellence certificate, as the 12 winning lots were auctioned off. Special appreciation goes to the dedicated members of the awards judging panel, who offered their time and expertise: Jen Llewllyn, OMAFRA, Chris Graham of Kimberley Cottage Garden, Luba Taylor of BritAli Gardens, Jim Lounsbery of Vineland Nurseries, Glen Lumis of the University of Guelph and LO’s Francesco Pacelli.

The winners will again be recognized during the Retail Garden Centre program luncheon being held at the Toronto Congress Centre on Oct. 19, in conjunction with Garden Expo.

The LO Growers Group thanks Somerville Nurseries and everyone who contributed to help make this year’s auction a great success.

2009 auction donorsProduct was generously donated by the follow-ing companies: Agrium Advanced Technologies, ASB Greenworld, Best Western of Orangeville, Braun Nursery, Canadale Nurseries, Connon Nurseries/AVK Holdings, Connon Nurseries/CBV Holdings, Connon Nurseries/NVK Holdings, Gro-Bark (Ontario), Ground Covers Unlimited, Hillen Nursery, Hockley Valley

Resort, Hofland Gardens, JC Bakker and Sons, JM Peeters Nurseries, JVK Ltd., Kam’s Growers Supply, Kobes Nurseries, Langendoen Nurseries, Millcroft Inn and Spa, Nursery Supplies Inc., Plant Products Co., Potters Road Nursery, Premier Horticulture, M. Putzer Hornby Nursery, Sheridan Nurseries, Somerville Nurseries, Timm Enterprises, TradeWinds International Sales, Verbinnen’s Nursery, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Willowbrook Nurseries and Winkelmolen Nursery.

Kristen McIntyre may be contacted [email protected].

Growers’ Group co-chairman Dave Braun, left, presents the certificates for the best perennials and judges’ choice award to John Moons of Connon Nurseries NVK.

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April 22nd, Earth Day – the largest, most celebrated environmental event worldwide. Environmental challenges abound as our daily actions pollute and degrade the fragile environ-ment that humans and wildlife depend on to sur-vive. Perhaps so. Read on.

Like most others, I have a great apprecia-tion for our earth. I am an avid gardener; grow vegetables, fruits, annuals and perennials. Most of my time in the growing season is spent tending my gardens and processing the products to enjoy through the winter months.

On our country property, there is ample space for a strawberry and a raspberry patch in the garden area. In addition to the fruit and vegetable garden, there are nearly 30 fruit trees: apple, cherry, plum and pear.

There are many joys to be had in a garden – the first ripe strawberry, that first taste of lettuce and spinach, the succulent tomatoes ripening on the vines, weighing them down as they increase in size, red and juicy – soon to be enjoyed in a delicious fresh tomato sandwich. Corn, brought into the house to a waiting pot of boiling water, is every August’s greatest treat. There are chal-lenges in gardening as well. We share our crops with rabbits, groundhogs, birds and, let us not forget, raccoons.

But there is no joy felt in recent days, as we pick our apples and pears, with the realization that our crop could best be described as garbage.

You see, on Earth Day, 2009, it was decreed by the Ontario Liberal government that certain pesticides were banned. The list is very long, and includes those insecticides and fungicides that would have protected our pears from the mites that damage developing fruit, resulting in mostly brown skin and stunted growth. Seven bushels, of what normally would be enjoyed by those with whom we share the fruit, sit next to the wheel-barrow, waiting to be wheeled to waste. Apples that are characteristically large, red and juicy are covered with scab and blemishes; many cores are home to worms. For close to 40 years, we have set the fruit, along with a for sale sign next to the busy road that passes by our property.

Without the tools required to maintain such fruit trees, our options are few. Farmers are exempt from the pesticide ban, as are orchard growers. What recourse is there for the hom-eowner who has the space and the desire to grow his or her own fruit? That’s a green thing to do, is it not? We do not fit the criteria, so the ‘fruits of our labour’ become waste.

Surely, there are others who feel the frustra-

Pesticidestions related to this pesticide ban. Lawns, sports fields and parkland are quickly becoming weed patches. Country roadsides are a disgrace, with thistles and other tall weeds, gone to seed, ready to send those seeds far and wide.

An editorial in a local newspaper had the fol-lowing: “Did the advice (to ban pesticides) come from the province’s own pesticide advisory com-mittee or from Liberal politicians eager to leap

aboard the increasingly-popular environmental bandwagon? On top of this, they should clarify whether people growing fruits or vegetables in their yards, something increasingly in vogue in green circles, will be allowed to use chemicals to combat insect or fungus infestations.”

Green living, indeed!Ruth Wright,Bloomingdale

LETTER TO THE EDITOR


Beginning in January of 2010, big changes are coming to the certification program under a new brand name, Landscape Industry Certified.

The decision affects both American and Canadian members of the horticulture industry. It was a joint effort by CNLA and PLANET in the U.S. to align the new brand name, in hopes of making it more recognizable to consumers.

CHT, CLD, and CLP will now all be called Landscape Industry Certified, with no acronym.

“People can still use the letters (with some slight changes) behind their names,” says Julia Ricottone, CNLA’s certification coordina-tor. “Announcements and other details are in the works and will come out soon. We’re just working to make the message clear about why these changes are happening, and how they will benefit the program and everyone who is certified.”

Dear Mr. Dennis,

First, I enjoy your magazines. Not to be a pedant (well, yes!), I noted the item on giant hogweed in the August issue of Horticulture Review. It is described as “known in some areas as cow parsnip.”

You may need to clarify this. Most LO members will recognize common weeds, but unless they go hiking and are interested in wildflowers, they may never have seen real cow parsnip. That plant (Heracleum lanatum or sometime H. maximum), although in the same genus as H. mantegazzianum, is a very widespread native. While a few people get a rash from it, it’s considered innocuous, and is quite a sight to see, especially when bears are

Defining hogweedCertification will undergo changes in 2010

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

eating them out west. I’d hate to see people going out with

flame throwers destroying a handsome wild-flower. So, a side-by-side set of photos might be useful (both are on the ontarioweeds.comwebsite), so that if some LO firms get calls from customers to eradicate the aliens, hope-fully they’ll be able to distinguish them.

The real hogweed is pretty scary. It’s even showing up here in Thornhill, so bring on the flame throwers.

Professor Richard A. JarrellDivision of Natural Science,Faculty of Science and Engineering,York University,Toronto


Gage Park was home to some of Ontario’s top tree climbers at the 21st Annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship, hosted this year by the City of Hamilton on Sat., Sept. 12th.

Both first place winners are from long-standing LO companies.

The tree climbing event is held in a

different part of the province each year. It pro-vides the arborists and tree workers of Ontario an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a competitive environment.

Arborists, who are the frontline work-ers in the urban tree care industry, keep trees healthy and safe. They use special rope and saddle climbing techniques to safely ascend and work in a tree. An arborist employs a skill set that is physically and mentally challenging, and his role has never been more important as society recognizes the value of urban trees in the battle against climate change.

The competition featured 30 climbers from across the province. Twenty-five men and five women competed in the following prelimi-nary events: work climb, where a climber must move through the tree and complete specific work stations; speed climb, where the climber is timed ascending the tree using a special har-ness and climbing rope; secured footlock, which is a timed event where the climber must ascend the tree using the challenging “footlock” style of rope climbing; throwline, which measures the climber’s ability to install a climbing line into the tree canopy using a throw weight and

throwline, and aerial rescue, where the climber must ascend the tree and rescue an injured climber (a special mannequin is used).

The top four men and top two women from the preliminary events advance to the Master’s Challenge, where the competitor must ascend the tree from the ground, com-plete designated tasks and then descend, all within a specified time limit. All events are judged with safety being the top priority. The top finishers are crowned Ontario men’s and women’s tree climbing champions. They will vie against competitors from around the world for the 2010 ISA International Tree Climbing Championship in Chicago, Ill., on July 23 and 24.

Congratulations to the Ontario win-ners this year: women, Krista Strating from Arborwood Tree Service of Caistor Centre, and in second place Patricia Leier from the City of Hamilton. The men’s champion is Benjamin Sauve of Davey Tree Service of Burlington, second, John Ransom of Arboriculture Canada, St. Catharines, third, Brian Zylstra of the City of London and fourth, Sean Hoodort, City of Guelph.

LO members are top tree climbers


is valued at $46,000. “As you can see, it is a large endeavour. We are looking for sup-port from chapter members, suppliers and of course, home office,” said Solty.

The Chapter organizers are looking for support in various forms, such as plant material, boulders, river rock, concrete pavers and pre-cast concrete retaining wall material. “We are looking for landscape crews to install the vari-ous aspects of the project. As well, we will need some cash to purchase materials that are not donated, as well as paying for some labour that we can’t solicit,” says chapter president Michael LaPorte. The chapter also needs full crews to work on various portions of the landscape, as “it is not easy to have non-professionals (students and volunteers) install retaining walls, pavers and large plant material.”

Safety is on the top of the list for the volunteers. “We will be working with equip-ment, such as backhoes, skid steer loaders and stone saws. We would love to have the use of these donated, as well,” said LaPorte. Plans call for the volunteer workers to begin in late October.

Materials needed Materials needed by the chapter for phase one, include: 24 Colorado spruce (200 cm), six white spruce (200 cm), five Fat Albert spruce (125 cm), one serviceberry (50 mm), four ginkgo (70 mm), six Malus Dolgo (50 mm), six pin oak (75 mm), three Baby Blue Eyes spruce (100 cm), one Skyline locust (75 mm), three clipped Japanese yew (10 gal.), 13 silverleaf dogwood (2 gal.), 14 Glowing Embers hydrangea (2 gal.), 10 cutleaf stephanandra (2 gal.), 17 Miss Kim lilac, (3 gal.), 51 Karl Foerster grass (1 gal.), 5 nest spruce (3 gal.), 13 pinkspire summersweet (2 gal.), 21 golden mockorange (2 gal.), 560 sq. ft. of unit pavers, 140 face ft. of pre-cast retaining wall, 10 cubic yds. river rock, 15 lime-stone boulders, 20 cubic yds. mulch, 100 ft. of chain-link fencing. Also needed are a backhoe and skid steer, and donated labour to install trees, shrubs, mulch, river stone, unit pavers and retaining wall.

To volunteer, donate, or find out more information, contact Nick Solty, call 705-458-9111, or Mark Goodman at 705-730-8011.

Chapter NewsChapter News

Members of the Georgian Lakelands Chapter are once again busily preparing to volunteer their expertise and energy to help Gilda’s Club in Barrie. After last year’s success, the club is taking on even a larger project this year.

Gilda’s Club provides networking and support groups, workshops, offerings for chil-dren, teens and adults, educational seminars and social activities for people fighting a battle with cancer. It is a place where people of all ages gather to learn more about cancer, to share their experiences with others and, true to its namesake Gilda Radner, to find opportunities to laugh.

The chapter first became involved with Gilda’s Club as part of a project to build a house last fall. Proceeds raised from the sale of the house, that was started and completed by vol-unteers in just a few days and then auctioned off, went into helping to fund the main project, a drop-in centre at Gilda’s Club of Barrie. Once

Georgian Lakelands chapter continues to help Gilda’s Club of Barrie

it is finished, the drop-in centre will be run by a group of volunteers, along with health care professionals.

“We, as a chapter, chose this project because Gilda’s Club Barrie will serve all of Simcoe County, Parry Sound-Muskoka, Grey Bruce and Dufferin Counties,” says chapter past-president Nick Solty. “Even though this project is in the City of Barrie, it will benefit a large portion of the Georgian Lakelands Chapter. We are always trying to include as many different areas of our chapter, but because our chapter is geographically the largest in the province, it’s not easy.”

This is by far the largest project the Georgian Lakelands Chapter has ever com-mitted itself to. The landscape portion of the project has been divided into two phases. Phase one is slated to go in October of this year. It is valued at $75,000, while phase two

A cheerful mix of daffodils will bloom next spring at Gilda’s Club in Barrie. Thanks to a new Green for Life initiative, each LO chapter will receive a customized mix of white, orange and yellow Narcissus to plant in a community project. Pictured above, Denis Flanagan, LO director of public relations (centre) presents Georgian Lakelands past president Nick Solty and chapter treasurer Sheila Allin with a case of the Green For Life bulb mix.


Turf Products, Distribution Viking, Garden Creations of Ottawa, Greely Sand and Gravel, Upper Canada Chapter of LO, Stihl, Echo, Battlefield, Hertz (Matthew’s Equipment), B&T MacFarlane, Allan Johnston Repair and Sales, Kemptville College and Ritchie Feed and Seed.

Great support was also received from a good group of hard-working volunteers. They are: Dan Clost CHT, Rick Mowry CIT, Will Winson, Ben Winsor, John Taylor B.A., CHT, PMC, Stephen Anderson, Shane Jordan CHT, Richard Coleman CHT, Richard Rogers CHT, Chad Smail CHT, Jeff Scott CHT, Paul Doornbos CHT, CLP, Bill Steen, Trevor Cullen CHT, Chris Klingbeil CHT, Bill Bitz, Brad Koski CHT, David

Stewart CHT, Sonja Hirsig CHT, John Bloskie, Phil Lindsay CHT, Sally Harvey CHT, CLP, Sarah Johnston, Darrell Kekanovich CHT, Tim Kearney CLP, Jeff Lowartz CHT, Clifford Ruth CLT, CLP, Rachel Burt, Nina Vanderlinden, Chris Burns CHT, Lynn Lane, Welwyn Wong, Tim Dyer, Bruce Morton CIT, CIC, CID, CLP, and Kassie Harvey.

Keeping your chapter connected

Georgian Lakelands chapter continues to help Gilda’s Club of Barrie

All reports from the CHT certification pro-gram in Ottawa, on Aug. 13 and 14, reveal that it was a great success. The event took place at Kemptville College.

“Not only did we finally get some sun-shine for the first time this summer, but we now have 10 more CHTs in the Ottawa Chapter,” said project coordinator Rachel Burt. “We have never had such a successful event. We had a total of 26 candidates come out for the day and 10 left with either their first CHT designation, or some were up to their third.”

The site, which received highest com-mendation from the international observer, was in beautiful condition thanks to the committed industry volunteers who worked so hard in the weeks prior to the evaluations.

Those candidates, who are now quali-fied to put CHT after their name, include: Ornamental Maintenance - Lynda Blackburn of Garden Creations and Kennedy Johnston of Peter Knippel Nursery; Softscape Installation and Ornamental Maintenance - Dianna Dawson of Rockcliffe Landscaping; Softscape Installation - Serena Hubbs of The Scott Wentworth Landscape Group and Lindsey Ross of Garden Creations; Turf Maintenance - Derrick Boyd of Greenscape.ca, Chris Smith and Andrew Thompson, both of Ganden Landscapes; Hardscape Installation

Ottawa CHT certification is all-round success

and Turf Maintenance - Ryan Kearney of Garden Creations and Hardsape Installation - Rejean Gervais of Paysagement Trillium Landscaping.

In order to make it all possible, the CHT certification requires the assistance of gen-erous sponsors. In Ottawa, they included, Gro-Bark, Permacon, Ganden Landscapes, RJ Rogers, Geosynthetic Systems, Manderly

Those who took the opportunity to enjoy the annual Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast, left echoing that it was a tremendous success again this year. The event also had a record number of attendees.

The hosts, Bobcat of Hamilton, did not disappoint the crowd. There were Bobcat rodeos, free pony rides for the kids, a section for the kids to create their own unique pot of plants, face painting, a mini-remote control excavator, a DJ and a visit from Hamilton Bulldogs AHL hockey team mascot Bruiser. For $10, it was a real bargain to enjoy some of the area’s finest barbecued chicken. Nobody went hungry and the chicken was cooked to perfection by the chapter’s executive chef team. Well done!

Chicken Roast is a great successThanks again to all the wonderful spon-

sors this year: Bobcat of Hamilton, Permacon, Unilock, Oaks, Premier Biotechnologies, Windmill Power Equipment, Grand River Natural Stone, Vanderwoude Landscape Supply, Connon NVK, Brother’s Equipment Rental, Hamilton Bulldogs AHL team and Jan Gelderman Landscaping.

And great appreciation is sent to the amazing chapter executive for the great day! They are: directors, Erik Kuijvenhoven, John Bos, Patrick Evangelisto, John Harsevoort, Brad Malton, Jeff Smith and Deanna Van Varik, Tim Cruickshanks, president, Michelle Cocks, secretary, Walter Hasselman, provin-cial board rep, Bruce Wilson, treasurer, Fiore Zenone, vice-president, and Paul DeGroot.

Hard-working volunteers


Training Pays. 500% ROI on new

employees, first 6 weeks. Ask us how. We guarantee it.

Spotlight on Prosperity Partnership at LO’s Garden Expo booth

As your prosperity partner, we invite you to drop by and see us at Landscape Ontario’s Garden & Floral Expo 2009 - featuring Trends for 2010, October 20 & 21 at the Toronto Congress Centre.

VISIT US AT THE LO RESOURCE CENTRE, BOOTH# 875!

Meet with Landscape Ontario staff to learn more about upcoming professional development opportunities, association events and other industry initiatives. Complimentary coffee will be available for guests in the booth, in an environment for business and social networking.

We look forward to seeing you.

For more show information go to www.gardenexpo.ca.

Sobkowich Greenhouses in Grimsby opened its outdoor trial area and gardens for industry view-ing and evaluations at the end of July. Over 300 individual Proven Winners’ plants and combina-tions were on display, including all the new plant introductions for the 2010 season. Growers and retailers were invited to see how the plants per-form in a typical southern Ontario climate. Staff from Sobkowich Greenhouses and John Gaydos

Open air trial helps growers plan for next year

from Proven Winners were on hand to answer technical questions from the growers.

Several new releases stood out, includ-ing ‘Snow Princess’, a sterile, ever-blooming alyssum; ‘Pretty Much Picasso’ petunia, with magenta blooms edged with lime green, and ‘King Tut’ papyrus, that can grow four to six feet tall with large flower heads like exploding fireworks.


The LO family expresses sympathy to long-time member Bob Allen of RW Allen Horticultural Services in St. Thomas, whose mother Nell Allen passed away on Aug. 28.

Snow symposium numbers are best-ever

LO’s Snow & Ice Symposium continued its amazing growth with the 2009 version.

“This year saw the largest increase ever for the event,” said manager of the sympo-sium’s trade show, Gilles Bouchard. “It was very successful, the weather was great and participants had many good networking and education opportunities.”

This year 31 exhibitors showed their wares on the grounds of LO’s home office. This compares with the 15 exhibitors who took part in the 2008 trade show. The event was pre-sented by Twin Equipment, lunch was spon-sored by All Stone Equipment and the coffee mugs and coffee were sponsored by Kubota Canada. “It is with great sponsors like these that the event continues to be such a success,” said Bouchard.

A total of 92 registered for the sympo-sium. Of that total 30 took part in the Build

a Bid seminar. In a survey of the participants taken after the show, one comment was, “Lots to learn – will participate next year. I would recommend it to anyone in the snow indus-try. Twice a year would be better – once after snow season and once before.” Another said, “Learned a few steps to take and to move for-ward with upgrading the company.”

Speakers included Vince Arone of Pinpoint GPS Solutions, who led the technol-ogy session, Mark Bonner of the Ministry of Transportation, Paul Johnson, speaking on using liquid for anti-icing, Rob Kennaley, whose topic was liability and contracts, Chad Roglich of Cadillac Fairview, and Graham Zeisner of the Association of Ontario Supervisors, who both spoke on building cus-tomer relations, Jim Monk and Ken Jorgenson, whose topic was hands-on calibration and Ed Hewis, chair of the Snow and Ice Sector

Group, who updated participants on committee issues and events.

Exhibiting companies at the Snow and Ice Symposium included:

Advantage Products, All Stone Equipment, Amaco Equipment-Snow Dragon, Battlefield Equipment, Cliff’s Lawn and Garden Equipment, Drive Products, Durham Truck, Eastern Farm Machinery, ECO Solutions, Eco-Traction / Adox OKI Bering, Ed Stewart’s Equipment, Eloquip, Future Road Solutions, GC Duke Equipment, Green Tractors, Hitch City, Innovative Surface Solutions, Kenworth Toronto, Kooy Brothers Lawn Equipment, Kubota Canada, Machinability/Strongco Equipment, Modern Power Products, Nisco National Leasing, Para Mech Systems, Parker Hannifin, Pinpoint GPS, Pro Fleet Care, Total Equipment Rentals, Turbo Technologies, Turf Plus, Twin Equipment and Windmill Power Equipment.

Nathan and Michelle Helder of Waterdown have welcomed into their lives a healthy 7 lb., 5 oz. baby girl named Keziah Kristina. She was born on Aug. 6 at 5 p.m. Keziah is the couple’s first child. Nathan Helder is president of Jan Gelderman Landscaping. He serves as chairman of LO’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Welcome Keziah Kristina Helder

In memoriam

Mark Bonner explains MTO regulations on plow weights.

18 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009 RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337

Many More Cultivars and sizes available

Botanical Name 1 gal 2 gal 3 gal price price price


Hillen Nursery Inc.


Vines - 1, 2, 3 gal. Akebia quinata ‘Silver Bells’ 8.00 Ampelopsis glandulosa ‘Elegans’ 8.00 Aristolochia durior 6.00 11.00Campsis ‘Balboa Sunset’ 11.00Hydrangea anomala petiolaris 6.00 Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ 8.00 Lonicera X ‘Mandarin’’ 8.00 Lonicera per. ‘Belgica Select’ 8.00 Lonicera per. ‘Serotina’ 8.00 Polygonum aubertii 6.00 Parthenocissus quinq ‘Engelmannii 6.00 Parthenocissus tri ‘Veitchii’ 6.00 Evergreens - 1, 2, 3 gal. Azalea ‘Golden Hi Lights’ 13.50Azalea ‘Orchid Hi Lights’ 13.50Buxus microphylla 5.00 11.00Buxus semp. ‘Green Mound’ 5.00 11.00Buxus semp. ‘Green Gem’ 5.20 11.20Buxus ‘Green Mountain’ 5.00 11.00Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ 5.20 11.20Buxus micr.’Faulkner’ 5.00 Chamaecyparis pis ‘Filifera Aurea 5.00 11.00Chamaecyparis pis ‘Aurea Sungold’ 11.00Cotoneaster adpressus ‘Compactus’ 5.00 9.00Cotoneaster ‘Coral Beauty’ 5.00 7.00 Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Major’ 7.00 Cotoneaster microphyllus 5.00 9.00Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Repens’ 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Canadale Gold’ 7.00 Euonymus fort.’Emerald Gaiety’ 5.00 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘E.T.’ 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald n Gold 5.00 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Goldtip’ 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Sunrise’ 5.00 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Sarcoxie’ 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Surespot’ 7.00 Euonymus fortunei ‘Vegetus’ 7.00 Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Prince’ 5.00 11.00Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus media ‘Mint Julep’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus media ‘Pfitz.Compacta’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus procumbens nana 5.00 11.00Juniperus communis ‘Repanda’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus conferta’Blue Pacific’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Blue Horizon’ 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Blue Prince’ 5.00 Juniperus hor ‘Icee Blue’ 6.00 13.00Juniperus hor ‘Andorra Compact’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Torquoise Spreader 5.00 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Wiltonii’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Yukon Belle’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus hor ‘Youngstown’ 11.00Juniperus sabina 5.00 Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Carpet’ 5.00 11.00

Juniperus squamata ‘Blue Star’ 5.00 11.00Juniperus virginiana ‘Grey Owl’ 5.00 11.00Larix laricina 7.00 Microbiota decussata 5.00 11.00Metasequoia glyptostroboides 7.00 11.00Myrica pensylvanica 7.00 Picea abies 7.00 Picea abies ‘Nidiformis’ 5.00 11.00Picea glauca 7.00 Picea glauca ‘Conica’ 11.00Picea pungens ‘Baby Blue’ 13.00Picea glauca ‘Densata’ 7.00 Picea omorika 7.00 Picea pungens kiabob 5.00 7.00 Pieris jap ‘Mountain Fire’ 11.00Pinus mugo mughes 11.00Rhododendron ‘Northern Starburst’ 11.00Rhododendron Aglo(PJM) 11.00Thuja occidentalis 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ 5.00 11.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ 5.00 11.00Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’ 5.00 Tsuga canadensis 5.00 7.00 11.00Tsuga canadensis ‘Jeddeloh’ 13.50Tsuga canadensis ‘Pendula’ 13.50Taxus cuspidata ‘Aurescens’ 5.00 11.00Taxus cuspidata nana 5.00 Taxus media ‘Densiformis’ 5.00 11.00Taxus media ‘Hicksii’ 5.00 11.00Taxus media ‘Hillii’ 5.00 11.00Taxus media ‘Wardii’ 5.00 Yucca filamentosa 5.00 11.00Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’ 5.00 11.00 Deciduous Shrubs - 1, 2, 3 gal

Acanthopanax sieboldianus 7.00 Acer campestre 7.00 Acer ginnala 7.00 8.00Alnus rugosa 7.00 Amelanchier laevis 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa ‘Autumn Magic” 7.00 Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ 7.00 Buddleja ‘Ellen’s Blue’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Ile de France’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Nanho Purple’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Pink Delight’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Petite Plum’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘Purple Prince’ 7.00

Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’ 7.00 Buddleja davidii ‘White Profusion 7.00 Berberis thunbergi’Rose Glow’ 6.00 9.50 Betula papyrifera 7.00 Caryopteris cland. ‘Dark Knight’ 7.00 Cephalanthus occidentalis 7.00 Cercis canadensis 7.00 Cercidiphyllum japonicum 7.00 Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Nivalis’ 7.00 Chaenomeles superba’Texas Scarlet 7.00 Clethra alnifolia ‘Paniculatum’ 7.00 Clethra alnifolia ‘Pink Spire’ 7.00 Cornus alternifolia 7.00 8.00Cornus alba ‘Elegantissima’ 7.00 Cornus alba ‘Ivory Halo’ 7.45 Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ 7.00 8.00Cornus amomum 7.00 Cornus kousa chinensis 7.00 Cornus racemosa 7.00 Cornus stolonifera (sericea) 7.00 Cornus stolonifera ‘Bud’s Yellow’ 7.00 Cornus stolonifera ‘Kelseyi’ 7.00 Corylus avelana 7.00 Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ 16.00 Corylus avellana ‘Red Majestic’ 17.00 Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ 7.00 8.00Cotoneaster acutifolius 7.00 Cotoneaster horizontalis 7.00 Diervilla lonicera 7.00 Deutzia crenata ‘Nikko’ 5.00 7.00 Deutzia gracilis 7.00 Deutzia x ‘Strawberry Field’ 7.00 Euonymus alatus ‘Compactus’ 5.00 8.00 9.00Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ 7.00 Forsythia X int. ‘Goldtide’ 7.00 Forsythia int.’Lynwood’ 7.00 Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’ 7.00 Forsythia ‘Kumson’ 7.00 Forsythia ovata ‘Ottawa’ 7.00 Hibiscus syr.’White Chiffon’ 5.60 Hydrangea arbor. ‘Annabelle’ 7.00 Hydrangea macroph.’Forever Pink 7.00 Hydrangea macroph.’Nikko Blue’ 7.00 Hydrangea’Endless Summer Blushing 14.00Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ 14.00Hydrangea macroph.’Glowing Embers 7.00 Hydrangea macroph.’Merritt’s Beau 7.00 Hydrangea macr’Princess Beatrix’ 7.00 Hydrangea macroph.’Penny Mac’ 7.30 Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ 7.00 Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ 7.00 Hydrangea pan. ‘Little Lamb’ 7.60 Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ 7.60 Hydrangea pan.’Pinky Winky’ 7.60 Hydrangea pan. ‘Tardiva’ 7.00 Hydrangea serrata ‘Bluebird’ 7.00 Hydrangea serrata ‘Little Geisha’ 7.60 Hamamelis virginiana 7.00 8.00

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009 19RR 2, Mount Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 Tel: 519-264-9057 • Fax: 519-264-1337

Many More Cultivars and sizes available



Hillen Nursery Inc.

Ilex verticilata 7.00 Ilex vert.’Afterglow’F 7.00 Ilex vert.’Winterred’F 7.00 Ilex vert.’Southern Gentleman’M 7.00 Kolkwitzia amab ‘Pink Cloud’ 7.00 Kerria japonica ‘Pleniflora’ 7.00 Lonicera tatarica ‘Arnold Red’ 7.00 Lonicera xylost.’Clavey’s Dwarf’ 7.00 Lonicera xylost.’Emerald Mound’ 7.00 Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel 11.00Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ 11.00Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’ 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Innocence’ 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Natchez’ 7.00 Philadelphus schrenkii ‘Snowbelle 7.00 Philadelphus ‘Minn.Snowflake Dwar 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius’Coppertin 7.85 Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ 7.60 8.60Physocarpus opulifolius’Dart’sGol 7.00 Physocarpos opulifolius ‘Luteus’ 7.00 Physocarpus opulifolius’Summer Wi 7.85 Populus tremuloides 7.00 Prunus cistena 5.00 7.00 8.00Prunus virginiana 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Abbotswood’ 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Cor.Triumph’ 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Dakota Sunrise’ 7.00 Potentilla ferrari ‘Gold Drop’ 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Goldstar’ 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Pink Beauty’ 7.00 Potentilla frut ‘Tangerine’ 7.00 Quercus bicolor 7.00 Quercus robus ‘Fastigiata’ 7.00 Quercus rubra 7.00 Ribes alpinum 7.00 Ribes aureum 7.00 Rosa Bonica 7.50 Rosa Carolina 7.00 Rosa Henry Kelsey 7.00 Rosa X ‘J P Connell’(ex) 7.00 Rosa ‘Pavement Scarlet’ 7.00 Rosa rugosa 7.00 Rosa rugosa ‘Hansa’ 7.00 Rosa x ‘Champlain’ 7.00 Rosa X ‘The Fairy’ 7.00 Rubus odoratus 7.00 Rhus aromatica 7.00 Rhus aromatica ‘Low Grow’ 7.00 Rhus typhina 5.00 7.00 Salix bebbiana 7.00 Salix discolor 7.00 Salix eriocephala 7.00 Salix exigua 7.00 Salix gracilis ‘Purpurea Nana’ 7.00 Salix integra ‘Flamingo’ 7.00 Salix integra ‘Hakuro-nashiki’ 7.00 Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ 7.00

Salix nigra 7.00 Sambucus canadensis 7.00 Sambucus canadensis ‘Aurea’ 7.00 Symphoricarpos chenaultii ‘Hancoc 7.00 Spiraea alba 7.00 Spiraea arguta 7.00 Spiraea bumalda ‘Anthony Waterer’ 7.00 8.00Spiraea bumalda ‘Crispa’ 7.00 Spiraea bumalda ‘Froebelii’ 7.00 Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ 7.00 Spiraea betulifolia ‘Tor’ 7.00 Spiraea fritschiana 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Alpina’ 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Dakota Goldchar 7.00 8.00Spiraea japonica ‘Dart’s Red’ 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Goldmound’ 7.00 8.00Spiraea japonica ‘Golden Princess 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Magic Carpet’ 7.25 Spiraea japonica ‘Manon’ 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Neon Flash’ 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘Shirobana’ 5.00 7.00 Spiraea japonica ‘White Gold’ 7.00 Spirea tomentosa 7.00 Spiraea vanhouttei 7.00 Sorbaria aitchisonii 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia 7.00 Sorbaria sorbifolia ‘Sem’ 7.00 8.00Syringa hyac. ‘Pocahontas’ 7.00 Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ 7.00 Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’ 7.00 Syringa vulgaris 7.00 Syringa vulgaris ‘Beauty of Mosco 7.00 8.00Syringa vulgaris ‘Monge’ 7.00 8.00Syringa vulgaris ‘Sensation’ 7.00 8.00Tilia cordata 7.00 Tamarix pentandra 7.00 Viburnum dent.’Chicago Lustre’ 7.00 Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ 7.00 Viburnum lantana 7.00 Viburnum lentago 7.00 Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ 7.00 Viburnum recognitum/dentatum 7.00 Viburnum trilobum ‘Bailey Compact 7.00 Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’ 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ 7.60 Weigela ‘Elvira’ 7.60 Weigela florida ‘French Lace’ 7.60 Weigela florida ‘Minuet’ 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Purpurea Nana’ 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Rumba’ 5.00 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Victoria’ 7.00 Weigela florida ‘Nana Variegata’ 7.00 Weigela ‘Red Prince’ 7.00 Weigela ‘Polka’ 7.00 Weigela ‘Tango’ 7.00

Botanical Name 5 gal priceEvergreens - 5 gal. Chamaecyparis nootk ‘Green Arrow’ 36.00Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ 36.00Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’ 19.00Juniperus scop. ‘Blue Haven’ 16.00Larix laricina 17.00Metasequoia glyptostroboides 25.00Metasequoia glyp. ‘Goldrush’ 40.00Picea abies ‘Acrocona’ 35.00Picea glauca ‘Conica’ 28.00Pinus mugo mugo 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ 19.00Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant’ 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’ 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ 19.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ 19.00Tsuga canadensis 33.00 Deciduous Shrubs - 5 gal.Acer palmatum’Bloodgood’ 51.00Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum 51.00Acer palmatum ‘Garnet’ 51.00Acer rubrum 25.00Cercis canadensis 19.00Cotinus coggygria’Royal Purple’ 18.00Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ 35.00Hydrangea mac.’Endless Summer’ 21.70Hydrangea pan. ‘Compacta’ 17.00Hydrangea pan. ‘Grandiflora’ 17.00Hydrangea pan. ‘Kyushu’ 17.00Hydrangea pan.’Limelight’ 17.00Magnolia loebneri ‘Leonard Messel’ 25.00Magnolia ‘Susan’ 25.00Magnolia stellata ‘Royal Star’ 25.00Populus tremuloides 16.00Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’ 25.00Spiraea bumalda ‘Flaming Mound’ 13.00Spiraea bumalda ‘Goldflame’ 13.00Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’ 16.00Syringa prestoniae ‘Donald Wyman’ 16.00Syringa pres’James Macfarlane 16.00Tilia cordata 17.00Viburnum ‘Emerald Triumph’ 18.00Viburnum trilobum ‘Compactum’ 16.00 Botanical Name 15 gal priceEvergreens - 15 gal.Chamaecyparis nootkatensis’Pendula’ 49.00Metasequoia glyptostroboides 41.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Brandon’ 41.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’ 41.00Thuja occidentalis ‘Wintergreen’ 41.00Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove’ 41.00


For Bareroot and Container Grown Trees• Native • Shade • Ornamental

148 Lynden Road, P.O. Box 190 Lynden, Ontario L0R 1T0

Tel: 519-647-3912 • Fax: 519-647-3720 www.winkelmolen.com

Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd.

GOLDEN HORSESHOE CHAPTEREco Landscape DesignMike Thiessen6 Junkin StSt Catharines, ON L2R 1N3Tel: 905-658-5656Membership Type: Active

Hydro-RainJohn Mytroen234 - 17 McLeod RdNiagara Falls, ON L2G 7K3Tel: 905-834-4442Membership Type: Associate

Watson Building SuppliesRobert Elliot3191 Mainwayburlington, ON L7M 5H3Tel: 905-749-0035Membership Type: Associate

LONDON CHAPTERD & D Commercial Property Maintenance LimitedMary Decloet21 McMillan CrtIngersoll, ON N5C 4H3Tel: 519-425-9801Membership Type: Interim

Cam EdgarMembership Type: Horticultural

Lisa MacDonaldMembership Type: Horticultural

TORONTO CHAPTERCamrob EnterprisesRobert Campagna5289 Hwy 7. PO box 56666Woodbridge, ON L4L 8V3Tel: 905-794-2792Membership Type: Active

Lorco Property MaintenanceCory Davis61 Canal StKeswick, ON L4P 1K6Tel: 905-989-9937Membership Type: Active

Grant KielbiskiMembership Type: Horticultural

WINDSOR CHAPTERVince MurphyMembership Type: Horticultural

NEW MEMBERS

Receive weekly e-mail updates from LO

To reduce the volume of e-mail alerts being sent to members, Landscape Ontario staff now bundles the association information together in a quick read called LO This Week. This e-mail gives members advance notification of association events, as well as chapter activities. The electronic update has been sent out weekly since November, 2008, but currently only goes to one e-mail address per member company.

We invite all LO members to help us disseminate information to your staff by adding their e-mail addresses to our contact list.. Add as many staff addresses as you like.

Please contact Susan Therrien with your e-mail address list, [email protected], or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.

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Sign up to receive your own copy of LO’s weekly

e-mail update

LO This Week gives you advance notice

of association events and chapter activities.

Contact Susan Therrien [email protected], or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.


Sign up to receive your own copy of

LO’s weekly e-mail update

Contact Susan Therrien [email protected]

Sign up to receive your own copy of

LO’s weekly e-mail update

LO This Week gives you advance notice

of association events and chapter activities.

Contact Angela [email protected],

or call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 305.


It’s YOUR association.

Don’t miss the LO AGM

Wednesday, Jan. 13


By Kristen McIntyre CHTProject and event coordinator

As an association, LO takes great pride in our members and the work that they do. I beam with pride whenever asked

about our Awards of Excellence winners, such as when an anxious reporter calls to request a photograph or two for publication or broad-cast.

We display examples of our members’ great work wherever possible, whether it is on a poster or marketing piece at a trade show, a larger-than-life image at a consumer festival like Canada Blooms, or the pages of this very magazine. To put it simply, our members are professionals who do excellent work, and set the standard for the rest of the industry.

Having said all of that, unfortunately we do receive complaints from consumers and the trade alike, which often takes the wind out of everyone’s sails.

As a trade association, Landscape Ontario’s function is to improve and advance the industry as a whole. We do not have for-mal authority to deal with consumer com-plaints. Complaint issues are very complex. Subjectivity, miscommunication, differing per-spectives on quality of work, personality con-flicts, no access to contract documents, lack of job-specific information, pending lawsuits between parties and potential legal exposure all make it very difficult for the association to become involved. In addition, we have no participation in the members’ day-to-day operations. Our only authority is the power to revoke membership.

Official complaint processLandscape Ontario has an official complaint process. It is meant to be a catalyst to stim-

Complaints: Are customers always right?

ulate mutual understanding and benefit for all involved. Within the process, we hope to facilitate communication and encourage both parties to engage in a respectful dialogue that will lead to an amicable resolution.

Complaints are only accepted in writ-ing. We then forward the correspondence to the member, while encouraging both parties to resolve the matter. All responses are shared with appropriate stakeholders, and if disputes cannot be resolved, all correspondence is kept on file. Three unresolved disputes in a year will trigger a membership review. We cannot become involved with pricing disputes, nor complaints that are already within the legal system. Our involvement is offered solely as a public courtesy.

Communication is both the usual cause of conflict and the prime tool for addressing and managing a dispute. Sometimes it’s not whether you win or lose an argument, but how you conduct yourself during the argument, that dictates the outcome. We encourage all of our members to keep the lines of communication open and make every effort to resolve issues with their customers, before they require our involvement.

All Landscape Ontario members are encouraged and expected to adhere to our Statement of Conduct, Principles and Ethics. The statement outlines the most impor-tant principles of ethical and professional conduct. For the entire Statement, go to www.landscapeontario.com/c?c=140.

Please look for our upcoming annual win-ter seminar brochure that outlines educational opportunities related to better communication and conflict management.

Kristen McIntyre may be contacted at [email protected].

Tel.: (905) 563-8133 • Fax: (905) 563-7526 Visit us at: www.limestonetrail.com

ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED

GARDEN BUILDINGS

GAZEBOS AND SHELTERS

Limestone Trail.indd 1 1/26/2007 10:57:05 AM

Greenlife Garden Care + Landscaping of Ottawa was featured in a magazine article in the U.S.-based Walker Talk, a bi-annual pub-lication by Walker Mowers. The three-page article is an interview with company owner Sarah Johnston and her son Dave.

The company was also featured in the September 2007 issue of Horticulture Review.

Ottawa member featured in U.S. magazine

Sarah Johnston is president of Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter.

The Walker Talk article may be found online at www.walkermowers.com/vol34/index.html. Click on Flying high in Canada.


The Ontario government’s Bill 118 will become law on Oct.26. When it does become official, it will be illegal to use a hand-held device while operating a motor vehicle.

Drivers who text, type, email, dial or chat using any hand-held device will face fines of up to $500 upon conviction. As well, if a GPS unit is not properly affixed to the dashboard this will also contravene the new law.

Police have the leeway to lay a careless driving charge under Bill 118. Careless driving carries a minimum penalty of six demerit points and a maximum $2,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Following a three-month period that begins October 26, the province says that the focus will be on educating drivers. Police will begin issuing tickets on Feb. 1, 2010.

Four member companies of Landscape Ontario were recipients of awards by Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA).

Total Facility Solutions and Clintar Groundskeeping Services, both of London, and Markham Property Services, were all safety award winners, while Snow Logic Snow and Ice Management of Kleinburg was awarded the Business Excellence Award. The award was handed out this summer in Louisville, Ky. at the annual SIMA symposium.

Snow Logic is a division of 4 All Seasons, a company that provides property maintenance, landscape design and build to the industrial, commercial, retail and high-end residential markets. The competition for the award included a large number of American companies.

LO members win SIMA awards

Snow Logic president Mark Scida began the company in 1988 with a push lawnmower and an after-school grass cutting schedule. Over the past 20 years, Scida has grown the company to its present size that has over 30 team members and increased sales of over 500 per cent.

Recently the snow and ice management side of the business has grown to the point where Scida has brought on a partner, Richard Faccio, in an effort to manage the new growth and maintain the high level of customer ser-vice.

Over the past three years, Snow Logic was able to capitalize on Mother Nature’s unpredictability by offering its customers spe-cific solutions, such as specialty snowplows, to drastically reduce costs.

“When the opportunity to win an award that promotes business excellence was pre-sented, we jumped on it,” said Scida.

“It was a real honour to win the business excellence award and share it with the Snow Logic team and our customers. We are very excited about our business model and hope to increase our customer base by continuing to give service that goes beyond their expecta-tions,” said Scida.

As of Oct. 26,hand-held devicesbanned in OntarioFrom left, Mark Scida and Richard Faccio of Snow Logic accept their award from SIMA president

Larry Dail.


Pest status, damageSpecies with sucking mouth parts occasionally injure plants and transmit plant diseases. Skins from developing nymphs are commonly associ-ated with an infestation. Removal of sap from the mesophyll or vascular tissues (phloem and xylem) and injection of toxic salivary secretions (e.g., proteinaceous fluid clogs in the vascu-lar tissues) during feeding activity. This causes leaves to develop yellow or clear stipples, spots or leaf portions that are visible on the upper leaf surface. Yellowing and browning of injured leaves is often called ‘hopperburn’ or ‘tip burn.’ Injured leaves can fall prematurely. Some spe-cies cause terminal growth of injured plants to become curled and stunted. Heavily injured plant parts or plants can die. Egg-laying habits can also cause some plant injury.

MonitoringYellow or orange sticky traps can be used to monitor leafhoppers. Traps must be checked daily, so that rapid changes in the population can be detected. Timing is critical for this pest. The sticky trap method is effective to detect major increases in the leafhopper population.

Chemical controlThe most commonly used chemical pesticides are APM 50 W, Guthion 50 WP, Sniper 50 W (with a minimum re-entry period of 48 hours), Methoxyclor 240 EC, Orthene, Pyrate 480 EC, Sevin XLR plus, Imidan 50 WP, Tristar 70 WSP.

To reach Francesco Pacelli, call 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2377, or email [email protected].

Francesco PacelliNursery technical analyst

Leafhopper is a common name applied to any species from the family Cicadellidae. Leafhoppers belong to one of the larg-

est families of plant-feeding insects. There are more leafhopper spe-cies worldwide than the combined species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.

Leafhoppers feed by sucking the sap of vascular plants. They are found almost anywhere these plants occur, from tropical rainforests to Arctic tundra. Several

leafhopper species are major agricultural pests. Many leafhoppers are handsomely coloured and patterned, while others are camouflaged green to blend with foliage. When disturbed, they run in a sideways motion (especially nymphs). As the name implies, they also leap from plant to plant, although adults can fly. The leafhoppers are divided into about 40 subfamilies.

AdultsLeafhopper adults are elongated, wedge-shaped and somewhat triangular in cross-section. They jump and fly off readily. Depending on species, they range in size from 2.5 to 3.4 mm and their bodies are yellow, green, gray, or they may be marked with colour patterns. Nymphs resemble adults, but are wingless. They can run rapidly, occasionally sideways, and hop.

EggsEggs are laid on leaves or stems in the upper part of the canopy and hatch in about 10 days. Eggs

Francesco Pacelli

Know your pests and diseases: Leafhopperare yellowish and curved and cylindri-cal with tapering ends and creamy white in colour, less than 1 mm in length. Generally, the shape of the egg depends on the species of leafhopper.

Life cycle Most species over-winter as eggs. They are inserted into leaf veins, shoots or stems of host plants. Wingless nymphs hatch from eggs in about 10 days and begin feeding on the tender new growth of their host plant. They develop through five stages (instars) over a period of 12 to 30 days, leaving shed skins in the feeding area. As nymphs grow larger, they develop wing pads. Most leafhop-pers produce one generation per year, but some may develop up to six. Some species, such as potato leafhoppers, do not over-winter in Ontario. Each spring adults are carried by wind currents from the southern Gulf states and across the Great Lakes into Ontario. The first adults arrive as early as mid-May and con-tinue to arrive well into June.

Habitat and food sourceSpecies can be somewhat spe-cific to certain host plants. As a whole, leafhoppers feed on leaves of a wide variety of plants, including many types of grasses, flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, shrubs, decidu-ous trees and weeds. The rose leafhopper, Edwardsiana rosae (Linnaeus), feeds primarily on plants of the rose family, although foliage of other woody plants (blackberry, Cornus, oak, Prunus, Populus, raspberry, Ulmus, Acer and others) serve as food. The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), feeds

on legumaceous plants like alfalfa, as well as apple, birch, chestnut, maple and others. Species in the genus, Erythroneura, feed on sycamore leaves, as well as apple, grape and willow. The aster, or six-spotted leafhopper, Macrosteles quadrilineatus (Forbes) feeds on vegetables and annual flowers and spreads the aster yellow virus to woody plants like periwinkle and Thunbergia species.The honey locust leafhopper Macropsis fumipennis feeds on Gleditsia species. Nymphs and adults feed on the underside of leaves. Some leafhoppers are readily attracted to lights.

Leafhopper.

Leafhopper nymph.


CONTAINER NURSERYAND NOW

GREEN HOUSE MIXESDelivered in bulk or 2 cubic yard bins.

COMPOSTED PINE BARKLow pH, C/N balanced, custom screened.

The potting bark used by Ontario's top container growers.

LANDSCAPE MULCHES“Enhance”

Coloured mulches, Processed Pine, Cedar & Hardwood Mulches

OVER 25 YEARS OFGROWTH & SERVICE

Tel: (519) 885-3411Fax: (519) 885-6742www.gro-bark.com

A co-operative effort by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph will study methods to create a new and improved petunia.

The research team includes Dr. Daryl Somers, research director of applied genomics at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, with col-leagues Dr. Theo Blom from the University of Guelph and Wayne Brown from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. It is a five-year project with the goal to improve the quality and production of the petunia.

“The amount of water that petunias require is a problem that causes difficulties for retailers, and unnecessary losses for growers,” says Dr. Somers. “We will search for value-added traits such as drought tolerance and reduced dormancy to improve the quality and production of orna-mental species. This research will also position Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and the University of Guelph for continued success in breeding of both ornamental and vegetable species.”

Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO of Vineland, says, “By utilizing research part-nerships we are able to apply leading edge science to tailor a solution.”

“The University of Guelph is committed to building a research part-nership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre that makes a dif-ference to horticultural businesses across the country. We also expect that the science generated through this agreement will have impact within the international research community,” said Dr. Kevin Hall of the University of Guelph.

Research to develop a better petunia

The schedule is ready for the 45th annual IPM Symposium in 2010.The first event will take place on Jan. 11 at the Doubletree Hotel, 655

Dixon Rd., in Toronto, followed by the Ottawa presentation on Feb. 23 at the Travelodge at 1376 Carling Ave. On Mar. 2, London’s Best Western Lamplighter Inn will host the IPM Symposium, while the final event will take place on Mar. 9 in Barrie at the Holiday Inn on Fairview Road.

This year’s theme is Successful Plant Health Care: Roots of Success. Each symposium begins at 7:30 a.m. with registration. IPM chairman Mark Goodman will open the proceedings at 8:00 a.m. Following an update from MOE officials, a panel of lawn care operators will hold a one hour ses-sion entitled, How I Survived the Ban. Other planned sessions include The Municipal Scene, Turfgrass on Steroids, Innovative Products in the Pipeline and Your 2010 Toolbox. Proceeds from the events will go towards lawn care research, or suitable alternatives.

The cost to pre-register is $70 per person (GST included) and on-site registration is $95 (GST included). Registration closes at least one week prior to the above-noted seminar dates.

To register for the a symposium go to www.horttrades.com/ipm2010.

IPM symposium schedule announced

It’s a fact now, Green for Life is written in stone. Actually it’s written in stone in a number of locations, thanks to the generosity of Randy Adams of Adams Landscape Supply in Kitchener. The LO member has donated the engraved stones to commemorate LO’s new branding program. Many will remember the cover photo of the May 2009 issue of Horticulture Reviewfeaturing the students of J.W. Gerth Public School in Waterloo with the stone that graced their newly refurbished playground. Recently a stone arrived at the LO home office, where Adams presented his gift to Sally Harvey (left), LO’s manager of education and labour development, and Tony DiGiovanni, LO’s executive director (at right). Adams says he will arrange to create a similar stone for any chapters interested in having such a piece to commemorate a special project.

HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009 25HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009 25


equipment and replace it with a fabricated rectangular steel plate. Use locking wheel nuts to keep it in place.

• Communicate with local law enforcement when starting work at a new location.

• Find a local 24-hour site, such as a gas station, to park unattended equipment.

• Change the ignition so that only your key will start the equipment.

• Develop a security plan that includes keeping your site well lit, controlling access to the site, immobilizing equipment by removing rotors, batteries, etc., and get employees involved and responsible for security.

• Make one person responsible for signing for key deliveries.

Tougher measuresSome of the tougher, more expensive measures may include: • Fence-in your equipment.• Use engine immobilizers, so the equipment

cannot be moved.• Etch all of the major parts with your name

and other pertinent information.• Use alarm systems.• Provide video surveillance.• Use tracking systems with devices that

have been specifically developed for heavy equipment, such as Pinpoint GPS or Boomerang. According to the OSWCA, the recovery rate for stolen construction equipment without tracking systems is less than 10 per cent.

• Hire a reliable watchman/guard service.• Protect your trailers with high quality anti-

theft locks. Ductile cast iron and stainless steel are often used to manufacture the best locks.

To protect your tools, keep them in a locked box situated out of sight, don’t leave tools at the jobsite and use etching on your more valuable tools.

Some suggestions are virtually cost-free, while others may require an investment. However, sometimes a serious problem needs serious solutions.

Darren Rodrigues may be reached at 416-494-9883, ext. 361, or [email protected].

HORT PROTECT

By Darren Rodrigues Sinclair-Cockburn Financial Group

Theft of construction equipment is an ongoing problem. Construction compa-nies and experienced contractors know

that heavy equipment is a big target for thieves. It is easy to sell, and has a low recovery rate. Often the stolen items are shipped out of the province, and many times outside Canada.

The cost to replace stolen equipment is not the only consequence of theft. After a theft, contractors may not be able to complete proj-ects without the necessary equipment, and/or held liable if the stolen equipment causes dam-age to persons or property.

In this article, you will find potential solutions that may work along with your exist-ing loss control practices.

Low cost approachesThese common sense suggestions cost very little, but can be effective. Every operation that uses heavy equipment should employ most of

Protect your equipment from thievesthese suggestions:• Use Crimestopper decals, available

through the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA). Some criminals are put off by the warning.

• Maintain accurate inventory records, recording all serial numbers and knowing all the details about each piece of equipment, such as manufacturer, model number, year built and product identification number.

• Register your equipment with the manufacturer. Call them in case they come across your stolen equipment while doing repairs, or are offered it for sale.

• When equipment can’t be fenced-in, park it close together, preferably in a circle with smaller equipment in the centre.

• Chain smaller equipment to larger equipment.

• Have a welder inscribe your company name on the frame, bucket, boom and other major components.

• Remove a wheel from stationary


Protect your equipment from thieves

Visit Garden & Floral Expo and join Landscape Ontario as we thank and recognizethe following companies who have exhibited

at the show since its inception:

BROOKDALE TREELAND NURSERIES LTD

Camilla House

CONNON NURSERIES/AVK NURSERY HOLDINGS

ECO WOOD PRODUCTS LTD

HANEY POTTERY SALES LTD

HOLLAND IMPORTS INC

HORTICULTURAL MARKETING INC

MANCHESTER PRODUCTS

MASSARELLI’S

MCKENZIE SEEDS

MCP MANUFACTURING LTD

MEYER by westbrook floral ltd

Pacific Rim Brackets LTD

Paridon Horticulture (1979) Ltd.

PEFFERLAW PEAT PRODUCTS INC

PERENNIALS HOUSE

PREMIER HORTICULTURE

QUEST PLASTICS LTD

Sheridan Nurseries Ltd

SPECIALTIES ROBERT LEGAULT INC

STINCHCOMB NURSERIES

TWD LAWN & GARDEN PRODUCTS

VANHOF AND BLOKKER LTD

WILLOWBROOK NURSERIES INC

WOOD’N THINGS

10th AnniversaryGarden & Floral Expo

Canada’s fall buying show for the green & floral industries

LANDSCAPE ONTARIO

10th Anniversary

&

www.gardenexpo.ca


OMAFRA NURSERY AND LANDSCAPE BULLETIN

By Jennifer LlewellynOMAFRA nursery crops specialist, andMichael CelettiOMAFRA plant pathologist

Over the last few years, pear trellis rust has been found in the landscape at several locations in southern Ontario.

This disease causes very striking, orange-red lesions on ornamental and fruiting pear trees by mid-summer (Figure 2, 4).

It is caused by the fungus Gymnospor-angium sabinae (G. fuscum). You may know the genus Gymnosporangium, since other species of this fungus cause cedar-apple rust, cedar-quince rust and hawthorn rust on orna-mentals. Like many rust diseases, two hosts are required to perpetuate pear trellis rust from year to year. Juniper is the perennial host and pear is the summer host. The disease can be particularly damaging on pear, result-ing in complete defoliation and crop loss if the disease is not managed.

The life cycles of Gymnosporangium rusts are complex, often involving alternate

Pear trellis rust found in several Ontario locations

hosts (heteroecious) and various types of spores, so bear with us. It is important to note that pear trellis rust does not overwinter on the pear. So, if you are a nursery that grows pear trees and you find Gymnosporangium rust on the trees, it will no longer be infected once the leaves drop. Therefore, pear trees are not likely involved in the long distance spread of this disease through nursery stock. But, not so the juniper hosts. The disease over-winters in subtle swellings, or galls on infected twigs and branches of susceptible juniper species (J. sabina or Savin juniper) as seen in Figure 1. You can take our word that it is very difficult to detect these galls when they are in the dormant state. In the mid- to late-spring, after a warm, wet period, the galls on the juniper produce tiny dark horn-like growths that become covered with an orange to orange-brown gelatinous mass called telia (Figure 3). The telia release windborne spores (basidiospores) capable of infecting susceptible pear leaves. These wind-borne basidiospores can be dispersed up to six km. After a few days, the gelatinous telia masses fall off, leaving creamy-white scars behind on the swollen galls (Figure 2). After

a week or two, the scars close and the galls shrink down to the dormant state.

Once the basidiospore reaches a sus-ceptible pear leaf, infection takes place. The first symptoms of infection are tiny, yellow-orange spots on the pear leaf. The spots even-tually enlarge and become crimson red along the margins, making them very noticeable in early summer (Figure 4). In the centre of these orange-red lesions are tiny, raised pimple-like structures called pycnia (Figure 5). The pyc-nia exude a sticky sugary substance that con-tains sex spores. The sticky substance attracts insects that transfer sex spores from one pyc-nia to another, resulting in fertilization.

At the end of August, the undersides of the orange-red leaf lesions begin to swell with brown blisters (Figure 6). In late summer, tiny lantern-shaped growths (aecia) protrude from the blisters on the underside of the leaves (Figure 7). The aecia contain spores (aecio-spores) that can only infect susceptible juniper hosts. These aeciospores are windborne over long distances and may eventually land on a susceptible juniper host twig, where infection occurs. As the fungus grows within the juniper

Figure 1 - Pear trellis rust in dormant state on juniper

Figure 2 - Scars after telia masses fall off juniper branches


twig, a swelling or gall is produced in which the fungus overwinters. Reports indicate that the swellings or galls on juniper do not produce telia until two years after infection. Similar to other Gymnosporangium rusts, galls on juniper are perennial, they continue to pro-duce telia for several years and become larger over time.

Thankfully, not all species of junipers are

susceptible to this disease. Juniperus horizon-talis, J. communis and J. squamata seem resis-tant to pear trellis rust and can be grown near pears without concerns for this species of rust. The fungicide, Nova, is registered in Ontario to control rust diseases on pear and juniper. However, some of the fungicides applied to control other diseases may have some impact on pear trellis rust. Fungicides should be applied to protect pear foliage when the juniper hosts are sporulating (Figure 3), similar to the timing of fungicides for other Gymnosporangium dis-eases. The best way to minimize this disease is to keep alternate hosts a distance of at least one kilometre. Inspect juniper plants periodi-cally and prune-out any suspicious swellings or galls. Pear growers should also ensure that susceptible juniper hosts are removed within at

least one or two kilometres from the orchard.By the 1970s, this disease was widely

distributed in Europe, Asia and North Africa. The geographic distribution of this disease in North America started out quite small. Pear trellis rust was first recorded in Canada (B.C.) in the 1960s. Prior to that it was only known to occur in one county in California. At that time, there were no other known sites of this fungus in North America, so the disease was regulated as a quarantined pest in hopes of eradication and slowing its spread. B.C. developed a cer-tification program for pear and juniper nurs-ery stock, based on clean stock, sanitation and a large separation (one km) between the two alternate hosts of juniper and pear. During the late 90s, pear trellis rust was detected in Washington and from there, the U.S. and Canadian governments considered de-regu-lating this disease. Since then, the disease has become more common in the lower mainland of B.C. and now we are seeing it in southern Ontario.

Jennifer Llewellyn may be contacted at 519-824-4120, ext. 52671, Fax: 519-767-0755, or [email protected].

Figure 3 - Telia on juniper

Figure 4 - Early lesion on pear leaf

Figure 5 - Pycnia seen on pear leaf

Figure 6 - Aecial cups

Figure 7 - Aecial cups spore on the underside of pear leaf

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A project to make Ontario highways more environmentally-friendly could have broad and far-reaching positive effects on the economy of the horticulture industry.

An open house, held at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre on Sept. 3, revealed details of a pilot project to study survivabil-ity of greenhouse-raised trees bred locally to withstand the tough conditions found beside Ontario highways.

Through a partnership between Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and Landscape Ontario, the provincial government has agreed to fund the pilot project.

Ontario Minister of Transportation Jim Bradley was a surprise visitor at the open house. “I assure the continued co-operation of MTO with this project,” said the minister. “My ministry approved $1-million to fund this proj-ect, and I and the Ontario government consider it money well invested.”

Chair of Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Donald Ziraldo, introduced the day’s speakers and thanked the many part-ners, including nurseries, Willowbrook and Sheridan, and horticultural suppliers.

LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni has campaigned for the concept of increased tree plantings along highways. In his speech

Open house at Vineland introduces exciting project to green Ontario’s highways

to the audience of over 60 people, he stated, that MTO landscape architect Nick Close approached him with the idea over one year ago. The idea was promoted, resulting in the creation of a North American Centre for Highway Greening at the Vineland centre. After Vineland and MTO were brought together, it wasn’t long until the project took off and flour-ished. “I am not aware of any other research project such as this one,” said DiGiovanni.

Dr. Hannah Mathers, senior research fellow at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre and associate professor at Ohio State University, is studying appropriate species to survive the high stress environments presented along highways. She noted that the greening of the highways project only succeeds if the trees can survive. “That is where this project comes in,” said the researcher.

Developing new Ontario industryThe other issue for Dr. Mathers is working to grow tree liners in Ontario. “It’s a $60 mil-lion business that centres mainly in Oregon,” she said. “With the use of retractable-roof greenhouse technology, Ontario can capture a portion of the multimillion dollar small-tree market. We traditionally have imported these trees. This will foster stronger local produc-

tion and drastically reduce the carbon footprint produced by the shipping process.”

Vineland constructed a special greenhouse by Cravo Equipment on the grounds. There are currently more than eight species of trees within the retractable-roof greenhouse.

Francesco Pacelli, nursery tech-nical analyst with Landscape Ontario, who has been helping Dr. Mathers at Vineland, notes that two other sites outside Vineland are part of the MTO project. Willowbrook Nurseries and Sheridan Nurseries are growing trees for the project.

All the species used for this project are salt tolerant. Next spring, all the trees from the three locations will be planted at the intersection of Highway 401 and 427. “We plan to track all those trees on the highway site. We will label them according to their origins, whether they are from Vineland, Willowbrook, or Sheridan, or from other nursery bare root trees,

and keep tracking them for at least a couple of years. We will also plant them randomly on the site, in order to determine a fair test on their ability to withstand the harsh conditions,” said Pacelli.

“We (Landscape Ontario) are very pleased to partner with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre on this study. Finding ways to increase tree survival along our highways will greatly improve air quality and decrease pollution levels by trapping carbon dioxide,” said DiGiovanni.

“This project stands as an excellent example of Vineland’s partnership approach to research and innovation,” stated Dr. Jim Brandle, CEO of Vineland.

The minister said the project fits well with the MTO’s move to become greener in its operations. “We are attempting to make Ontario highways more esthetically attractive, while at the same time benefiting the health of our citizens. This project meets those two criteria, with the added bonus of using Ontario-grown trees, which in turn improves our economy.”

We will all see evidence of the project in the spring of 2010 at the intersection of Canada’s busiest highway and the 427. Many hope it’s just the start to green Ontario’s high-way system.

It was a proud moment for all those who worked to initiate the project to green Ontario highways. In photo, are some of the key players who were instrumental in bringing the project to reality. From left, Dr. Jim Brandle, ceo of Vineland, Bob Adams, president of LO, Jim Bradley, Minister of Transportation, Tony DiGiovanni, LO’s executive director, and Don Ziraldo, chairman of the Vineland board of directors.


LEGAL ISSUES

Rob Kennaley

Winter maintenance contracts: Managing slip and fall claimsBy Robert KennaleyMcLauchlin & Associates

Last month, we discussed the possibility that a crisis in insurance for winter main-tenance contractor operations either is, or

may soon be, once again upon us. In that regard, I wrote what contrac-tors can do to manage the risks associated with winter maintenance con-tracts, through contracts and at the job site. This month, we will discuss what contractors can do to protect themselves after a claim arises, as well as how contractors

may get involved to address problems from a more broad-based perspective.

The best contract in the world may not, of course, protect the contractor from being sued for a slip and fall. Claims might be advanced against the contractor where he has done abso-lutely nothing wrong. Where a claim is made against a contractor, it is important that the con-tractor properly manage that claim.

Be promptFirst, in order to respond to notice of a slip and fall claim on a timely basis, the contractor must promptly open correspondence from his client and/or the insurer. Second, a contractor who receives notice of a slip and fall claim should never discuss the claim with the claimant, or the claimant’s representatives, until the contractor has informed his insurer of the claim, and even then, only with the insurer’s written consent. If the contractor does enter into such discussions or negotiations, the insurer can take the posi-tion that it has been ‘prejudiced’ by the contrac-tor’s conduct, and deny coverage. The point to remember in this regard is that the insurer, because it may be obliged to provide a defence and indemnification in relation to the claim, is entitled to manage the negotiations and com-munications surrounding the claim, in order to protect its position.

The insurer should be provided with a copy of the winter maintenance contract, along with the documentation the contractor would rely on to show that he performed his work as required. This would include all records relating

to the performance of the work in question, as well as all documents supporting the fact that a reasonable system and policies were in place to ensure that the work was properly performed. This would also include documentation of the contractor’s training programs for employees and subcontractors. Copies of any policies or procedures that have been signed-off on by the personnel who performed the work in question, should also be provided to the insurer. Finally, any communication between the contrac-tor and the client, with respect to the services, should be provided to the insurer. Most important in this regard are any documents which speak to the contractor’s scope of work, to limitations on the contractor’s ability to manage the risk of a slip and fall, or to cli-ent decisions about which ice melting products to be used, where and in what quantity. This is because such documentation may tend to show that the client decided to do less than what might have been done to prevent the slip and fall in question. For example, if you have proposed the use of liquids or time release formulas as a better option to manage the risks, and the client has declined the option, this decision should be confirmed in writing and documentation in this regard provided to the insurer in the event of a claim.

Right to settleAll of the above is towards putting the insurer in the best possible position to defend the claim. Insurers, however, generally have the right to settle a claim on behalf of the insured. It is also true that, even though the obligation to man-age the risk of a slip and fall starts with the cli-ent (who is the occupier at first instance under the Occupier’s Liability Act), insurers have at times agreed to make settlement contributions on behalf of contractors without assessing the extent to which it was the client, and not the contractor, who decided to minimize the scope and nature of ice melting applications.

It is therefore important that the contrac-tor make the insurer aware of his position as soon as possible. If the contractor believes he has met his contractual obligations, with-

out negligence, the contractor should state this in writing. The contractor should make it clear that, in his view, he is not liable and that he wishes the insurer to defend the claim on his behalf.

Accepting settlementsUnfortunately, even where the contractor has met his contractual obligations and has done nothing wrong, the insurer might pay out on

the claim for business reasons, given the costs and risks associated with protracted litigation. The contractor’s only option, which is often but not always available in such a circumstance, is to accept the amount of the settlement offer from the

insurer himself, and use those funds to defend the claim himself. In that circumstance, how-ever, all the legal costs will be to the contrac-tor’s account and should the contractor be found liable, it will be the contractor who is respon-sible to pay the claim.

Winter maintenance contractors, who are concerned about the state of the industry when it comes to contractual issues, such as rising premiums in the insurance market, the ability to get insurance at reasonable rates, or the potential for payouts when they are not at fault, may wish to become active in groups such as Landscape Ontario and its Snow and Ice Management Sector. Topics such as those discussed above are constantly on the radar of this group, which continues to look for bet-ter ways to manage the risks associated with a contractor’s snow and ice management operations.

Robert Kennaley practices construction law in Toronto. He speaks and writes regularly on winter maintenance issues and assists clients across North America in the drafting of con-tracts. He can be reached for comment at (416) 368-2522 or at [email protected]. This material is for information purposes and is not intended to provide legal advice in rela-tion to any particular fact situation. Readers who have concerns about any particular cir-cumstance are encouraged to seek independent legal advice in that regard.

“Documentation may tend to show that the client decided to do less than what might have been

done to prevent the slip and fall in question.”


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ONTARIO LANDSCAPING LIMITEDExperienced landscape labourers required to perform manual work. To assist in cultivating, digging and planting of trees. Labourer hourly rate $15.00. Also required driver – class A licence, Z cer-tificate and mobile crane operator 0-8. Driver hourly rate $17.50.Seasonal employment starting April 1/09 to Nov 30/09. Job Site Keswick, Ont.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING INFORMATION All classified ads must be pre-paid by VISA or Mastercard. Rates: $42.00 (GST included) per column inch Min. order $42.00. 10% discount on 6 consecutive insertions of the same ad. Annual rates available. Box Numbers: Additional $10.Confidentiality ensured. Deadlines: 20th day of the month prior to issue date. (eg: June issue deadline is May 20th). Space is limited to a first come, first served basis. To advertise: E-mail your ad to Robert at [email protected] or fax to (905) 875-0183. Online advertising: Website only ads are available for $42.00 (GST included). Website ads are posted for 30 days and are limited to 325 words. View these ads and more online at:

www.horttrades.com/classifieds

SELL YOUR MAINTENANCE CONTRACTSEstablished landscape company interested in buying a small or medium-sized landscape company with interior or exterior maintenance contracts.

Please fax info to:416-757-3845

NURSERY STOCK

Sheridan Nurseries is actively searching for a:

Store Manager - MississaugaPosition Summary:

The Store Manager will ensure that all opera-tions are carried out in an efficient and profitable manner; will develop and implement processes, systems and activities pertaining to operations, marketing, customers and employees, and will ensure that customer service is maintained at the highest standards possible.

Accountabilities:This position involves overall supervision of the store operation including:• Sales production• Staff Supervision and Coaching• Labour Utilization• Inventory Control• Budgeting• Administration• Operations and Expense Management• Marketing and Store Presentation

Skills Required:• Quality experience in retailing• Proven customer service and sales skills• Demonstrate excellent leadership and supervision skills• Computer literacy is an asset• This person is required to work days, evenings and weekends as scheduled.

Interested candidates are invited to apply in writing to:

Jim MacLeodSheridan Nurseries

R.R.#4, 12302 10th LineGeorgetown, ON L7S 4S7

Fax: [email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview

will be contacted.

AUCTION SALEFriday, October 23 at 10:00 am

Location: 4664 Ontario St. Beamsville Ontario L0R 1B4

Visit the OutFront Portable Solutions Fall Cleanup Auction Sale. Surplus/used garden centre fixtures, fencing and portable structures:• Used garden center carts, benching and shelving• Used portable security fencing and crowd control fencing• Large assortment of flower pot stands with various accessories• Surplus trade show fixtures• Various prototypes of shelving and carts and shelters• Used cart corrals and cart corral prototypes• Lean-to and portable structure prototypes• Used portable structures and tents• Various portable sign structures• Large assortment of mesh and solid vinyl tarps and curtains – various sizes and coloursSurplus machine shop equipment and supplies will also be placed on auction.

Note: Check out our website @ www.outfrontps.com to view

the products that we manufacture and for a complete auction list.

1-905-563-9790, ext. 230

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES


ADVERTISER’S INDEX

COMPANY PAGE PHONE WEBSITE

Agrium ..................................................................5 ..........800-461-6471.....................................www.prohort.ca

braun Nursery Ltd ............................................3, 28 ....... 905-648-1911 .......................... www.braungroup.com

Canadale Nurseries Ltd ......................................2 ..........519-631-1008.............................. www.canadale.com

Connon Nurseries NVK .....................................35 ......... 905-628-0112 ..................www.connonnurseries.com

Dutchmaster Nurseries Ltd ................................36 ......... 905-683-8211 ......... www.dutchmasternurseries.com

G & L Group (Draglam Salt.) .............................22 .........416-798-7050......................... www.draglamsalt.com

Gro-bark (ONT) Ltd ............................................24 ......... 519-885-3411 ................................www.gro-bark.com

Hillen Nursery Inc ............................................18-19 ......519-264-9057

Landscape Safety ..............................................16 .........877-482-2323...................www.landscapesafety.com

Limestone Trail Company Ltd ............................21 .........905-563-8133........................www.limestonetrail.com

M. Putzer Nursery ...............................................8 ..........905-878-7226....................putzernursery@primus.ca

MS Sprayers .......................................................13 .........800-767-2050................................www.msspray.com

NewRoads National Leasing .............................21 .........866-414-8151................. www.newroadsleasing.com

Nisco National Leasing ......................................12 .........888-634-9559....................... www.niscocanada.com

R.M. Adams Trucking Ltd ...................................33 .........519-744-0151..........www.adamslandscapesupply.ca

Sipkens Nurseries Ltd ........................................16 .........866-843-0438................. www.sipkensnurseries.com

Stam Nurseries ...................................................26 .........519-424-3350....................www.stamsnurseries.com

Stonemen’s Valley Inc ........................................17 .........905-841-8400..................www.stonemensvalley.com

Uxbridge Nurseries Ltd .......................................6 ..........877-655-3379................www.uxbridgenurseries.com

Vanden bussche Irrigation .................................11 ......... 800-263-4112 ...................www.vandenbussche.com

Winkelmolen Nursery Ltd ...................................20 .........519-647-3912.........................www.winkelmolen.com

Zander Sod Co Ltd .............................................29 .........877-727-2100............................www.zandersod.com


PROSPERITY PARTNERS

Jacki Hart

Change happens and old habits die hardBy Jacki Hart CLPProsperity Partners program manager

Whether we like it or not, things change. The manner in which we go about our daily tasks may change naturally, a

bit at a time, or by immediate and enthusiastic consensus. However, when you realize you must start to make significant changes in how ‘things get done,’ and add a group of surprised or resistant people into the mix, change can be hard to implement, and even harder to make stick.

I often hear how best intentions to improve a business are thwarted by unwilling team mem-bers and the old habits of routine. The hardest part about change in the workplace lies in get-ting everyone to buy into, and maintain, the new system. I speak from experience in my business. I assure you that changes can become permanent and engaging for the entire staff, when the whole team understands and sees the benefits that result from the new way of doing things in a certain way. It might take more work upfront to imple-ment permanent and beneficial change, but in the long run, you will be miles ahead by following your new road.

Providing that the key leader in the business steps back to see the big picture and set a vision for improvement, change is good. The fastest way to make sustainable change is to create and communicate a clear vision of what it will be like for everyone when it becomes permanent. Being clear about what will and won’t be different, and the benefits from the change will create a climate of excitement and respect. As long as everyone affected sees the benefits of the new way, they will become engaged in the process.

If, on the other hand, change is declared and imposed upon unwilling or confused people, it always will result in a constant struggle and res-ignation with staff giving up and going back to the old way. This year, and for the next few com-ing, change is necessary. This has never before occurred in our generation, and therefore needs to be sensible, effective and sustainable.

Featured company: Kontiki ConstructionOur feature company this month has undergone

many changes through its expansion over the past 33 years. A succession from one generation to the next is typically fraught with resistance to change. As you will read here, Tim McLeish, general manager of Kontiki, has learned to step back and work ON his business and hone his vision for his family-owned company through the Prosperity Program. By doing so, he found new ways to integrate sensible and sustainable changes for the future success of his business.

Kontiki Construction (operating as Kontiki Mature Landscape Specialists) was established in 1976, and focused on large tree sales, large tree moving and residential design/build. It now has five to 10 employees, depending on the season.Q. What is your company vision, and what

are you ultimately attempting to create?A. Our business vision has changed

dramatically over the years. My father started the company with one tree spade. We have grown from there to having multiple crews at work each day. This means our focus has gone from keeping one person happy to trying to create an enjoyable working environment for all our employees. As a company, we strive to complete high quality work and provide first class customer service at a profit level that provides growth for ownership and employees.

Q. What are the core values that are non-negotiable in your everyday business dealings?

A. Competence, integrity, honesty and excellence. I try to apply these to all aspects of the business (customers, suppliers and employees).

Q. What things most often keep you awake

at night? A. Professional

operations keep me awake at night. Having the right people, equipment and materials at the right place and time are keys to any success. Our competitors are working just as hard as we do to make things better and faster.

Q. What stuck with you the most from the Prosperity Partners Introductory seminar?

A. I was amazed to find how much time I spent working in the business and how little time on the business. Many of the problems I was struggling with were really, after discussion with other participants, a result of me not allowing staff to do things themselves. Even after many years, I was still spending too much time being a technician/manager. I have learned to step back a bit, delegate differently and to leverage the strengths of my team, rather than micro-manage them.

Q. How have you been able to apply the things you learned to improve your business?

A. We have really tried to make a conscious effort to create more and more systems in what we do, as well as focus our efforts on what we do well. This takes tremendous commitment, especially in a business with a long-entrenched culture. Work is beginning to flow much smoother from sales to operations, allowing both divisions to be more productive.

Q. What are your next steps to improve your business, and did the program help you to clarify them?

A. I continue to try to spend more time being a visionary and less time being a technician. The program was great. It showed me what my personal strengths and weakness are and where I need to focus my efforts.

I hope you will join the hundreds of busi-ness owners who are benefitting from this unique training. Join the Prosperity Partnership with seminars in every chapter around the province this fall and winter. Please go to www.horttrades.com/prosperity to find out more.

Jacki Hart may be contacted at [email protected].

Tim McLeish, general manager of Kontiki.


OCTOBER

36 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 200936 HORTICULTURE REVIEW - OCTObER 15, 2009

Documents

Horticulture Review - October 2009