Last week, I had to be in Chicago for a business meeting, so I flew in the afternoon before my meeting to meet with my friends from CNA Insurance. Highland Outdoor recently rewrote our entire liability, workmans compensation and auto with CNA, who is also a signifcant partner to PLANET, the association I am serving this year as President-Elect.

Tony James and John Tatum and I quickly toured “Big Red” - CNA’s headquarters that is part of the Chicago skyline, downtown in the Loop, then had a great dinner at Millenium Park.

Tony and I then jumped on the Red Line and went to the Northside to attend the Chicago Cubs game. We met a colleague of Tony’s and enjoyed a horrible Cub’s loss. For those that don’t know me too well, I’m a rabid Cub’s fan, and have been a Season Ticket holder for five seasons at Wrigley. (Sitenote: For any client who ever is in Chicago, please send me an email to see if our company tickets are available)

Highland Outdoor is proud to be a client of CNA, and we are excited to have excellent insurance coverage, to protect our company, as well as our clients. Although we strive to never have a claim (we have received GOLD Safety awards the last two years), it is comfortable to know we have an incredible company behind us if we ever do.

If you are a company owner, I would highly suggest CNA as a quality provider of all facets of insurance. Mike Wrenn, of Wrenn Insurance, wrote our policies and would be happy to quote them for you.

(Photo: Jason Cupp, Highland CEO and Tony James, CNA Insurance, at the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field)

We received this fax today from K-State’s Horticulture Department. Given the number of phone calls, emails and client inquiries about the potential damage to plants with the unseasonably cold weather (yes, that was snow we got on Friday night…), we wanted to pass it on. If you have any questions, please email Mitch, Brent, Jon or myself at the office for clarification.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: April 10, 2007

Contact: Dennis L. Patton, County Extension Agent, Horticulture (913) 715-7000

Dealing with the aftermath of the hard freeze on landscape plants

Olathe, Kan. – The early April freeze has taken a toll on local landscapes. Plants that were awash in spring color have no lost their pastel hue and, in many cases, turned a dull brown, white, or translucent green. Care should be taken before attempting to correct the freeze injury.

The best advice for the short term is to do nothing. Give the plants at least two weeks to recover. Pruning or removing leaves or branches may result in more long-term injury than just living with the current effects. This time period, depending on the temperatures, should give the plant time to develop secondary buds that will grow and result in a re-leafing of the plant. For each of the following groupings of plants, follow these guidelines in addition to the waiting period.

PERENNIALS

Perennial garden flowers such as iris, hosta, daylilies and other are in poor condition. Many of the leaves have turned white or dull tan as a result of the freeze damage. Perennial leaves that have completely discolored can be individually removed to help tidy up the plant. One word of caution; pars of damaged foliage that still have some healthy green tissue should not be removed. Some functioning plant tissue is better than none at all for long term health. Even though the plant may not look the best, this foliage will help generate energy for the plant. Hostas may be the best example of this. A few years ago a hail storm riddled the leaves. Some gardeners cute the plants back while others left the damaged foliage. A year later the plants that were not cut back were bigger and stronger.

For peonies, the early season varieties may have been damaged. Again, just wait before doing anything. If, after the weather warms, the buds are dark, sunken, or shriveled, carefully remove the bud down to the first leaf, being careful no to remove and energy-producing foliage.

TREES and SHRUBS

Trees and shrubs were also damaged. Succulent growth has blackened or turned brown. Do not prune or remove any branches or twigs until the new growth is visible. Woody plants will develop secondary buds that will go on and put out new growth. The development of this tissue may take a couple weeks or more, depending on the plant and weather conditions. Hastily pruning now may remove those secondary buds before they have a chance to fully develop. Once new growth has developed and is growing strongly, pruning can be done to remove any dead twigs. Even without pruning, the fine limbs that froze will eventually fall from the plant over time.

Plants that produce blooms on new wood should not be affects by the cold temperatures. The lilac bloom this spring may be sporadic. The first flush of shrub roses that usually occurs in late May could be delayed or less spectacular than usual.

Trees and shrubs may have incurred more damage than just twig dieback. There is the potential that the hard freeze may have also damaged bark tissue. This type of damage is much more severe, as it would affect the vascular system of the plants. If damage to the cambium bark layer did occur, then the main trunk or branches may develop dark sunken lesions later this growing season. This damage would restrict the movement of water up into the plant and the translocation of nutrients into the root system. As a result the plant will be weakened, possible resulting in a decline in growth or limb dieback which will make the pant more susceptible to borer injury.

FRUIT TREES

Unfortunately, the fruit trees were hit particularly hard. Most fruit trees bloom early and the freeze could have killed the vast majority of the flower buds. The more open or colorful the bud, the greater the chances it was lost. The tighter the bud, the more natural defense the tree had against the frost. Again, the greater concern is the potential damage to the cambium bark.

What can be done now? A light fertilization of perennial gardens now may help regenerate new foliage, depending on the plant. Established treed and shrubs will not benefit greatly from fertilization. Younger trees may benefit from an application of fertilizer. Watering throughout the summer of 2007 to stave off drought conditions may be the best remedy for the freeze injury. Adding additional stress the plants will only compound the injury.

For information about individual plant damage or the general care of your landscape plants contact Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Horticulture Hotline at (913) 715-7050 or e-mail garden.help@jocogov.org.

Today I’m fortunate to travel to Lansing, MI the Professional Landcare Network’s Student Career Days.  I’ll have an opportunity to witness some of the best collegiate talent in our industry - all competing against one another to win this years event.  Also, PLANET’s AEF will give out their annual scholarships to students who applied.  This event is always one of the most incredible events our national trade association puts on.  Here is the article that appeared this morning in MSU Today, Michigan State University’s campus newspaper.

Horticulture students from around the country to compete in unique event

by Jon Schultz, student writer

March 27, 2007 - Nearly 1,000 students from 55 universities nationwide will compete for bragging rights across 24 horticultural skills events during the Professional Landcare Network’s, or PLANET, Student Career Days.

The 31st annual event will be held March 29-April 1 at MSU.

Students will have the opportunity to hone their skills, meet prospective employers and seek employment opportunities in the green industry while showcasing their academic talents before hundreds of professionals.

The competitive events range from a timed arboriculture tree climbing challenge to a sales presentation, testing the students’ ability to work with hard-sell clients.

“Arboriculture has all the action, but the sales presentation is about how well they can think on their feet,” said Brad Rowe, an MSU associate horticulture professor.

In the arboriculture event, students take a written exam testing their knowledge of the tree and then are timed while they climb it using ropes and a harness. For the sales presentation, students face professional actors who play a customer looking for a low price.

“Any sales job will be like that,” said Rowe, the event’s faculty adviser. “You have to know how to deal with rejection. The actors are fairly tough, and many students aren’t used to being challenged by clients.”

Besides the competitions, there will be training workshops and a career fair, which take place following the 8 a.m. opening ceremony in the Lansing Convention Center on March 30.

PLANET spokesperson Lisa Schaumann said the horticulture and landscape industry is seeking skilled students to fill the high demand for top-notch workers.

The knowledge students gain from the activities will help advance the professionalism of the business, Rowe said.

“Having knowledgeable people within the industry is important,” he said. “Consumers sometimes can’t make a distinction between who’s qualified and who’s not.”

MSU ranked in the top 10 overall for the past five years, and Rowe said he hopes this year’s team of 19 students will continue the school’s success.

The event originated in 1975, when a group of MSU students entered into a friendly argument with Mississippi State University students about who had a better horticulture department.

The competitive spirit still remains, Rowe said.

“You get some of the best students from around the country participating in career days,” he said. “This event is a forum for sharing horticultural knowledge and best practices.”

NEWS Contact: Vicki Bendure, APR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (540) 687-3360 or

Lisa Schaumann

(540) 687-5099

THINK GREEN IN APRIL

— Professional Landcare Network Celebrates National Lawn Care Month—

HERNDON, Va., January 24, 2007 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) celebrates National Lawn Care Month in April by reminding consumers about the environmental benefits of a healthy lawn.

More than 30 million acres of lawns exist in the United States. It’s estimated that these lawns remove five percent of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and provide a significant amount of oxygen. Lawns also trap more than 12 million tons of dust and dirt annually. Healthy lawns trap and filter rainwater and they protect from erosion. Additionally, they provide a cooling effect in summer months and help boost energy efficiency.

Healthy lawns play an important role in home sales and they have a huge impact on “curb appeal.” Realtors report that homes with beautiful lawns and landscaping can increase property values by 15 to 20 percent.

As spring arrives, 30 million acres of lawns across the nation are becoming green and growing. The return of warm weather, green grass, and flowering plants makes April the ideal time to celebrate the benefits of turf.

Lawn care companies provide jobs and significant financial benefits for the economy. A Harris Interactive survey reports that U.S. households spent more than $11.6 billion on lawn care in 2003. These figures represent 12 percent growth from 2002, and this growth is expected to continue.

“Homeowners understand that their lawns and landscape are a valuable investment,” states Jim Martin, CLP, president of PLANET. “With low mortgage rates and increased housing starts, homeowners are making significant financial investments in their properties, knowing they’ll see a return. Homeowners report returns on investment of 100 to 200 percent.”

Aside from economic and aesthetic benefits, a well-maintained lawn provides many environmental benefits, including:

· Oxygen production — turf’s power to generate oxygen has a major impact on the environment. A 50 foot x 50 foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four.

· Cooling effect — grass is a natural air conditioner. Eight healthy front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning — enough for 16 average homes.

· Pollution control — turf traps dust and smoke particles from the atmosphere, which helps keep the air cleaner. Grass also converts carbon dioxide to oxygen, a process that helps clear the air.

· Water quality — dense, healthy grass slows down and filters runoff, removing contaminants and trapping soil. Fresh, filtered water returns to the underground water supply.

In addition to being beautiful, lawns have a positive impact on the environment. Homeowners can be proactive in April by working with a lawn care professional and putting together a lawn care program that ensures that their lawns will be healthy and beautiful throughout the year.

PLANET is the association of members who create and maintain the QUALITY OF LIFE in communities across America. With more than 4,200 member companies and affiliates, these firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals. For more information on PLANET visit LandcareNetwork.org or call the PLANET office at (800) 395-2522.

Last month, I attended the Professional Landcare Network’s Executive Forum in (not so sunny and not so warm) Bonita Springs, Florida.  The topic was a thought-provoking one - Lean Management.  The idea of Lean Management comes from Toyota, who has nearly perfected the waste-orientation of building cars.  Ever wonder why the Japanese automakers make money every day, when we read negative financial headlines about their American counterparts.

Many of my friends in our industry have instituted Lean Management as a business principle in their companies.  In a simple definition - Lean identifies and reduces, or eliminates waste.  Waste is then defined as anything that does not deliver value to the client.  Sounds pretty awesome.  Since I returned from Florida, I’ve noticed waste at every turn.  I guess that is not a bad thing, but it sure has me thinking.

So…  today we’re doing something pretty exciting…  We’re doing a Lean Management Project here at our office.  Not a full force 5S or Kaizen event, but an effort to look at our office itself and identify and reduce, or eliminate waste that does not deliver value to our client.  Our team has “taken two days off” from their normal duties (within reason) and we will be working here at the office in a couple of different arenas:  organizing our personal office spaces, organizing the common office spaces, throwing away things we don’t use that often, labeling the location of different items, putting all of our files in one central locations (except ones that we are currently using), etc.  We’re all excited, and it’s stretching us to deliver more value through our business by eliminating waste.

We’ll keep you posted as things develop.

One element of lean we’re already instituting:  we’re attempting to turn our entire accounting system over electronically.  By providing us your email address, we’ll send your invoices and statements via email.  Then, you can have your credit card on file, so we will charge your card monthly, thus eliminating paper, envelopes, stamps, checks, etc.  Everything is automated.  Of course, if there is ever a billing concern, you can just CALL the office, and we can make the appropriate adjustment.  Lean Management - you can certainly see the value, and we’re excited to deliver it to you as we embark on Lean Projects throughout the year.

(Special thanks to The Ariens Company and JP Horizons for delivering Lean Management as a principle to our industry.  Read more about PLANET’s Executive Forum in a recent article in Landscape Management)

As an avid fan of baseball, and landscaping, I found this article I read online tonight absolutely fascinating…

Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Could Be Baseball’s First Billionaire Player Because of Rock Quarry

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

VERO BEACH, Fla. —

Matt White, a journeyman pitcher trying to make the Los Angeles Dodgers, could become baseball’s first billionaire player.It has nothing to do with his arm. He owns a rock quarry in western Massachusetts.

White, who has appeared in seven big league games in nine professional seasons, paid $50,000 three years ago to buy 50 acres of land from an elderly aunt who needed the money to pay for a nursing home.

While clearing out a couple acres to build a home, he discovered stone ledges in the ground, prompting him to have the property surveyed.

A geologist estimated there were 24 million tons of the stone on his land. The stone is being sold for upward of $100 per ton, meaning there’s well over $2 billion worth of material used for sidewalks, patios and the like.

Of course, that doesn’t factor in the expenses involved in processing the stone and transporting it for sale.

“It sounds bogus even saying those numbers,” White said. “I’m just a small town guy trying to get to the big leagues. It’s beyond comprehension.”

The news has prompted some of White’s teammates to refer to him as “The Billionaire,” but the 29-year-old left-hander isn’t counting his money just yet.

“There are a lot of questions,” he said. “It takes time, it takes money, it takes machines. There are professionals who handle that stuff.”

White’s father has been involved in selling the stone, but it’s presently a small-time operation.

“I guess you could say the property is for sale,” White said with a chuckle. “We’ll have to see how things turn out. I don’t even know where to start. I’m in the process now of getting in touch with business-savvy guys, finding out how much to ask.”

White said he doesn’t feel like he’s wealthy, which he isn’t quite yet.

“Not at all. I don’t live like a rich man,” he said. “I’m a minor league guy who’s played winter ball to make ends meet.”

Dr. Peter Pannish, an adjunct professor in the department of geosciences at the University of Massachusetts, surveyed the property several months ago. He said he believes the stone was formed about 400 million years ago.

“It’s basically a slabby rock that can be used for sidewalks, building faces and stone walls,” Pannish said from his Amherst, Mass., office. “You can use it for a lot of other things, like flagstone on a patio. There are some sidewalks right here on campus that are made of that same rock.”

Pannish said he believes White could sell his property for several million dollars, or more.

“As far as hundreds of millions, I doubt if that’s possible because of all the expenses that would have to be considered,” Pannish said. “But it could be quite a bit of money. He probably needs a mining engineer or an economic geologist to come up with a good evaluation.”

White has received inquiries about making national television appearances, and has even been contacted about a possible movie. He is represented by Herbie Zucker of Zucker Sports Management in Chicago.

But for now, White is concentrating on his day job. And that’s no surprise, considering pitching in the big leagues has been a lifelong dream.

“They say lefties bloom later than righties. I keep telling myself that,” he said. “I’m here to make the big-league team. I feel confident about that, absolutely. I’ve had some pretty good years in Triple-A.

“I plan to play baseball until I can’t play anymore. My goal is to play in the big leagues, regardless of what happens with the rock quarry.”

White signed a minor league contract last December with the Dodgers — his eighth organization. He has appeared in 254 minor league games, 136 of them starts.

White pitched in three games each for Boston and Seattle in 2003, and one for Washington in 2005, going 0-2 and allowing 18 earned runs in 9 2-3 innings.

The Boston manager in 2003 was current Dodgers skipper Grady Little.

“The kid has a genuine love for the game,” Little said. “He’s quite a competitor, he’s always striving to get better. It’s not about money for him. He’s prepared himself well coming into camp and he’ll be going after somebody’s job. He’ll be given an opportunity.

“It’s a tough hill to climb. We have 28 pitchers in camp, we’ll leave spring training with 11 or 12. Before it’s over, we might need 20. He’s in there trying to get a job.”

With that, Little smiled and said: “Along the way, if anybody needs landscaping stone, we know where to find it.”