Woodfield Country Club - Boca Raton, FL - PGMS

March/April 2011 Volume 35, Number 2
Woodfield Country Club - Boca Raton, FL
A paver walkway leading to the pool area and Tiki restaurant is bordered by St. Augustine grass
which enhances the brilliant colors of the Geraniums, Blue Salvia and Snapdragons behind at Woodfield
Country Club. Silver Bismarck Palms and ever-blooming Amaryllis provide unique color and texture
as the path continues. Learn more about Woodfield Country Club and the other 2010 Green
Star Grand Award winners in this issue of the PGMS Forum.
(See page 6 for more details on the Green Star Grand Award recipients)

The Forum Newsletter is published
six times a year by the
Professional Grounds
Management Society
720 Light Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-223-2861 / Fax 410-752-8295
E-mail: pgms@assnhqtrs.com
www.PGMS.org
Board of Directors:
President Joe Jackson, CGM
President-Elect Donald Bottger, CGM
Vice Pres. John Van Etten, CGM
Treasurer Walter Bonvell, CGM
Past President Monica D. Higgins, CGM
Directors
Diana Bramble Rudolph
Mark Feist
Gerry Dobbs, CGM
John Dorion
Dennis Baker
Gerald Landby
Marion Bolick, CGM
John Burns, CGM
Ron Hostick, CSFM
Staff
Thomas C. Shaner, CAE
Executive Director
Jenny Smith
Society Coordinator
Monica Shaner
Financial Manager
Erika A. Williams
Director of Communications
Molly Baldwin
Communications Assistant
Opinions expressed in PGMS Forum
are the opinions of the authors and do
not necessarily express the opinions
or policies of the PGMS Board and its
membership. No part of this newsletter
may be reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission.
Joe Jackson, CGM
President’s Message
Looking Forward to Spring...
What a winter we’ve had this year. For many of us, this has
certainly been one for the record books. Snow, ice, sleet,
freezing rain and combinations thereof came with unsettling
regularity. Even the greatest fancier of wintry weather
at some point must have given in to the thought that
“enough’s enough.” Although this past winter has brought
many challenges for those in our profession, it is this kind
of seasonal unpredictability that good grounds managers
know and accept as an occupational reality and that carries
with it the responsibility of year round attention and preparation. Alas, spring is
just around the corner and with it will come the beauty, the glory and yes, even
those unpredictable challenges of spring. What a rewarding business to be in.
As we wrap up the first quarter of our Centennial anniversary, the celebration
continues in full swing. At the beginning of the year, we received a welcome
resolution from the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA)
honoring the longevity of our organization. Just recently, we received a similarly
pleasing resolution from PLANET, the Professional Landscape Network that
acknowledges this accomplishment and wishes PGMS continued success and
growth for the next 100 years (see pg. 9). Clearly, we value the relationships
that we have built with both APPA and PLANET over the years and we are
honored to receive such kind words of recognition. Inarguably, having good
relationships and establishing and maintaining meaningful partnerships are critical
as we attempt to provide the best service to our membership. As described
in the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) publication,
“Transparency: A Path to Public Trust,” a partnership occurs when a stakeholder
and an organization agree to work together toward a set of mutually beneficial
goals. Accepting this business acumen, we also enthusiastically applaud the
continued growth that PGMS has experienced this year with our Elite Partners
in Professionalism. We will leverage the strength and national reach of these
alliances to assist us in our efforts to positively impact and influence the
“Greening” industry.
Speaking of stakeholders, we must be for ever mindful of who occupies the
front seat in this discussion. That occupant is the individual member belonging
to PGMS. It is with this understanding of our responsibilities to all stakeholders
as well as our forefathers that the Board of Directors will engage in a strategic
planning session at the upcoming spring board meeting. This session will include
an assessment of our organization’s current status, an environmental analysis of
the Grounds Manager profession, the development of measurable organizational
goals and objectives, and a compilation of definitive action steps that will help
move PGMS progressively forward. The report generated from this session will
be available and presented in Louisville, Kentucky at our next annual conference.
But, before getting too far ahead of myself, let me step back and remind
everyone of the Regional Seminar and Site Visitation that is about to kickoff in
Springfield, Mo. Set for April 7–8, the Greater Ozarks Branch has put together
a program unparalleled in highlighting the pressing issues around the topic of
sustainability for the professional grounds manager. And, if you think that’s just
hyperbole, I suggest that you visit the PGMS website and judge for yourself. You
still have time to register.
On a final celebratory activity note, the Member-Get-A-Member contest,
2

which is chock-full of great prizes, will conclude March
31. You still have the opportunity to win an Apple iPad,
an all-expense paid trip to Bartlett Tree Laboratory for
Client Day, or an all-expense paid trip to PGMS School of
Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO among other great
and useful items. If you are a member who has yet to meet
the challenge, I urge you to do so within the closing days of
this initiative to help build a stronger professional society.
Enjoy the days of spring and “cheers” to PGMS.
Joseph Jackson, CGM
PGMS President
GVSU First Public University
to Receive Environmental
Submitted by Ken Stanton, CGM
Certification GVSU Grounds Supervisor
ALLENDALE, Mich.—Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is the first
public university in Michigan to be certified by the Michigan Turfgrass
Environmental Stewardship Program (MTESP).
The program is intended to promote and communicate best management
practices, to control potential sources of pollution, comply with
environmental laws and regulations, adopt pollution prevention practices
and reduce waste. Nine modules were completed to receive certification
on the main campus in Allendale, and included evaluating fuel storage
systems, groundwater and well protection, and use of green products
and recycling.
Ken Stanton, CGM, grounds supervisor at Grand Valley, said several
construction projects were involved to complete the modules. “We
installed a new, more efficient fueling station, a space that is used for
mixing and loading pesticides, and a new equipment
wash station that collects excess grass clippings from our
mowing equipment. All these developments will help
us to magnify sustainable efforts already taking place at
Grand Valley.”
Completion of the certification program was also
responsible for the development of a campus-wide
emergency response plan, as well as identifying storm
water management practices, that had been previously
developed to help eliminate erosion of the ravines on the
main campus in Allendale.
Achieving certification ensures that grounds and facilities
will be in compliance with applicable state and federal
environmental regulations.
For more about MTESP visit www.mtesp.org. For more
about Grand Valley’s certification, contact Ken Stanton at
stantonk@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-3852.
3

Top Landscape Plants for 2011
‘Limelight’ Hydrangea paniculata
8 Awards
LO & BEHOLD ® x ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia
4 Awards
Sweet Caroline series Ipomoea batatas
103 Awards
SNOW PRINCESS Lobularia hybrid
56 Awards
SUPERTUNIA ® Vista series Petunia hybrids
122 Awards
SUPERBENA ® series Verbena hybrids
70 Awards
Proven Winners is
proud to be a
4
www.provenwinners.com/professionals/landscapes/
Gold Elite Partner

It’s Pruning Time for Young Trees
For most of us the grass has long since gone dormant, irrigation
systems have been winterized and the holidays are over. So,
what is there to do now before spring has sprung? The arborist’s
answer is... focus on tree pruning of course! Not just any tree
pruning, young tree pruning.
There are many advantages to pruning young trees. First, the
size of branches and, therefore, pruning cuts are smaller when a
tree is young; resulting in faster wound closure and less chance
for decay to get a foot-hold in the wood tissue. Second, since
the ratio of leafy crown to woody mass is high, a young tree can
tolerate live wood pruning better than a mature tree. Third,
young trees are often short enough to be pruned from the
ground with a pole saw reducing the need for heavy expensive
equipment and specialized certification to operate a bucket
truck. Fourth, because young trees can be pruned from below
and the resulting wood waste is less compared to mature trees,
the logistics in traffic control are much easier to handle and less
biomass is being transported to the landfill.
Winter is an ideal time to prune trees. The leaves are gone,
giving a clear view of branch structure, the hormones are more
or less inactive and for the most part, working conditions are
pleasant. As with any task, there should always be a reason and a
goal in mind.
Typical goals with young tree pruning include developing good
branch structure (or architecture), crown raising and tree health.
Good branch structure (with the exception of a few smaller,
bushier types of species) involves developing a single dominant
leader and good branch spacing. Double tops or co-dominant
leaders, are common in trees that have been topped in the
nursery, and one of the leaders should be removed while the
tree is still small.
Proper technique should be used to ensure good wound
closure and to prevent future problems. Pruning cuts should
always be made outside the branch bark ridge on the top side
of attachment to the trunk and the branch collar at the base of
the branch. Flush cuts are no longer acceptable and if made, the
pruning cuts can be found on any number of Internet sites, and
inexperienced personnel should be given copies. Stubs and flush
cuts are a sure sign of untrained or poorly supervised workers.
As for wound dressings, most of us know that they are not only
useless, but can also be harmful to the trees.
A great resource for specific information and illustrations
regarding pruning has been developed by Dr. Ed Gilman,
professor of environmental horticulture within the College
of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Florida.
An Illustrated Guide to Pruning (2nd ed.) is a must-have for any
arborist or grounds maintenance professional. Dr. Gilman’s
research and experience are the basis for the steps listed below
and provide clear, simple instructions on the proper techniques.
These instructions apply to shade tree species (oaks, maples,
elms, etc.) because these are the most predominant trees in our
communities and the ones having the greatest potential to cause
wide-spread damage during storm events.
First, and most important, observe the tree you are about to
prune and select the limb which should be the central leader.
Once identified, subordinate or remove the competing leaders.
Subordination involves reducing the length (size) of a competing
leader in order to slow or suppress its growth. This will allow
the central leader to assume a dominant role. The decision to
subordinate or remove depends on the size of the competing
leaders. Branches that are large in diameter in relation to
the trunk (over 50 percent of trunk diameter) typically do
not develop strong attachments and should be removed or
subordinated. Branches with steep angles of attachments often
develop included bark. These, too, are candidates for removal or
subordination. Over the course of time when the central leader
has become apically dominant (two to three years), return to the
tree to remove the remaining subordinated stem.
Photo Captions:
Left: One of these co-dominant stems should have been removed two or
three years ago. Also notice the bark inclusion starting to form between the
two stems.
Middle: Preserving the collar at the base of a branch ensures symmetrical
closure and prevents cracking.
Right: Topping or heading cuts are a surefire way to create poor structure in
a tree and cause future failure. Topping is never a good idea.
- Pruning Time: Continued on page 14 -
5

2010 Green Star Award Winners:
Congratulations to Seven 2010 Green Star
The Professional Grounds Management
Society (PGMS) has recognized 33
grounds management programs for excellence
in the Society’s 2010 Green Star Awards
Competition. The 38th Annual awards were
presented in Louisville, Ky. during PGMS’
School of Grounds Management, held Oct.
27-30 in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO.
This awards program brings national
recognition to grounds maintained with a
high degree of excellence. The Green Star
Competition complements other national
landscape award programs that recognize
outstanding landscape design and construction.
This year’s program acknowledged the
nation’s top grounds in settings ranging from
government buildings to universities. Overall,
PGMS presented seven Grand Awards, its
highest honor as well as 14 Honor Awards
in eight categories of competition. Twelve
programs were honored with Merit Awards.
Smithsonian Gardens
Category: Hospital or Institution
Smithsonian Gardens maintains over 180 acres of grounds surrounding 14 museums in
Washington, D.C. and three major support facilities in Suitland, Md. The Smithsonian
campus includes 15 acres of display beds and 48 acres of turf. The remaining acreage
consists of buildings and uncultivated natural areas. These public spaces incur constant
visitor use that requires continual maintenance in order to provide an excellent
experience for the millions of visitors to the Smithsonian Institution each year.
6

By Erika A. Williams
Award Winners
Disneyland’s “Rivers of America Project 2010”
Category: Amusement Park, Theme Park or Zoo
Disneyland’s “Rivers of America Project 2010” was a four-month construction
effort where Disneyland grounds crew members recreated the Rivers of America
waterway, which encircles Tom Sawyer’s Island into four distinct rivers. The rivers
include the Mississippi, the Potomac, the Rio Grande and the Columbia. Thousands
of shrubs and trees were added to recreate indigenous species of these very different
shorelines across America. Props, native Americans and animals were added to the
scene to emphasize the themed show overall.
The Christ Hospital
Category: Hospital or Institution
Landscaping has long been used to add beauty and create a welcoming atmosphere
at The Christ Hospital. The grounds crew added a new dynamic to its landscaping
design—creating landscapes that actually give back to the community. Three
completely new garden areas were developed with this in mind, each contribution in
its own way to not only beautify the environment, but make it a little better as well.
- Continued on page 8 -
7

Congratulations Award Winners!!
Pennsylvania State University
Category: University and College Grounds
Pennsylvania State University is situated on more than 800 acres and boasts over 130
acres of display beds. In the last two years, Penn State has committed to several special
projects, including a music courtyard and a koi pond. In 2009, the grounds crew planted
42,000 bulbs, 20,000 annuals and 600 trees. Despite challenges presented by limited
irrigation, snow removal, the use of organic alternatives and energy costs, the grounds
crew, led by Brian Phiel, has managed to create a beautiful campus for students, visitors
and faculty and staff.
Woodfield Country Club
Category: Park, Recreation Area or Playground
Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., is a family-oriented social and
recreational full-service private equity country club whose commitment is to create
a sense of community amongst its members by providing the highest quality goods,
services and facilities for enjoyment at all levels. The amenities include an 18-hole
championship golf course, a 20-court tennis complex and expansive lagoon-style
swimming pool. The grounds crew members are responsible for interior foliage and
floral arrangements, irrigation, pest control, hardscape cleaning, mowing, trimming,
plantings and landscape renovations.
- Continued on page 13 -
8
17

RESOLUTION
Whereas, PLANET cultivates and safeguards opportunities for
the dedicated professionals and companies who create and
enhance the world’s landscapes; and
Whereas, among the five PLANET Promises includes a pledge
to focus on expanding PLANET’s position as the partner of
choice; and
Whereas, the Professional Grounds Management Society’s
(PGMS) annual School of Grounds Management 20 year
longstanding gentleman’s agreement with PLANET’s Green
Industry Conference offers unlimited educational opportunities
to its members to ensure they are receiving the best education
the industry has to offer; and
Whereas, PGMS has become a leader in the Green Industry in
advancing the important topic of landscape sustainability to its
members so that those professionals can utilize their expertise
to help all of us improve the Earth’s environment; and
Whereas, PGMS was originally founded in 1911 as the National
Gardeners Association and as such celebrates its centennial year
in 2011,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED PLANET does hereby
salute PGMS on the celebration of its 100th Anniversary and in
so doing extends to PGMS best wishes for continued success
and growth for the next 100 years.
Greetings Grounds Professional:
The Philadelphia Branch of PGMS is planning a luncheon
meeting on March 10, 2011, which will be hosted by Michael
Fisher, president of Fisher & Son Company Inc.
When: March 10, 2011, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: World headquarter of Fisher & Son Co., Inc.,
110 Summit Drive, Exton, PA 19341
Topic: Preparation for Another Spray Season
• What is new in spray materials (Fisher and Son employee)
• Calibration and preseason check of equipment (Brian
O’Neill, Weeds Inc.)
• Keeping records, staying legal (PA Dept. of Agriculture?)
Join other Grounds Professionals for this timely topic,
presentation and discussion. Includes a delicious lunch!
• Free for PGMS members and guests
• $10 for non members
• Attendance APPROVED for Pennsylvania pesticide
recertification training credits (2) Core, (1) Lawn & Turf, (1)
Park/School Pest control
Space is limited so be sure to register early – no later than
March 3.
RSVP to Steve Dutill via e-mail - Steve.Dutill@Phila.gov
For more information, visit www.pgms.org/branchphilly/index.
DON’T DELAY! CONTEST ENDS MARCH 31!
Thanks to the following members who have already recruited new members:
There are only seven weeks left for you to join in on the PGMS
Member-Get-A-Member program that could land you with some amazing prizes!
Simply recruit one or more new members and your name will be in a drawing to win.
Visit www.pgms.org/MemberGetMember.htm for more details and start recruiting
today!
To make sure we recognize you when you recruit new members, ask the members
you recruit to download the application form which can be found at www.pgms.org/
MbrGetMbr-APPLICATION.pdf. Print it, write your name on the form as his/her
sponsor and fax, e-mail or mail it to PGMS. Remember, every member you recruit gives
you another chance to win.
Thomas Bates Marion Bolick, CGM Walter Bonvell, CGM Peter Brindle
Clif Clarno Tom Dew Larry Early Michael Gildea
Steve Gooch Hyacinth Ide Beau Mastrine, CGM Collison Stewart
Steve Wharton, CGM Michael Walsh John Burns, CGM
YOU can add your name to the list and be in the running for fabulous prizes. Rooted in 100 years of professionalism, PGMS is our
organization, and together we can double our membership.
9

Celebrating Centennial: Tinkering the Soil Water
Home-Based Broth for the Garden Promotes Healthy Growth
Richard Ferris, April 1931
PGMS is publishing articles from classic issues of the Gardeners’ Chronicle in recognition of the Society’s approaching centennial. The article
is meant to highlight the issues and topics that grounds professionals faced many years ago and note the similarities or differences in the way
the industry is now. We welcome your thoughts and comments. Please post them online on the PGMS Facebook page.
If ever a growing plant
takes time off to worry,
ten to one it will be about
the soil water. Translated into
polite language, its remarks
in such circumstances would
doubtless bear a close family
resemblance to those of the new
boy at boarding school, who,
questioned as to his breakfast
coffee, feared having it cut off
altogether if he complained, and
yet wished to do credit to his
bringing up by truthfulness under
great provocation. He said: “Very
good—what there is of it; and
plenty of it—such as it is.”
Only, in the case of the plant, no
one would ever get an admission that there was “plenty,” where the soil
water is in question; for, unless it is the rankest kind of poison, no living plant
would concede, even in its sleep, that it ever had so much as half enough.
This deplorable state of mind on the part of a plant which has been
duly cherished, and all that arises from the fact that all the feeding it ever
gets comes by way of the soil water. Which implies that soil water isn’t
just aggregated rain. True enough; it isn’t. It is a kind of broth; and this
writing is intended to lay bare the most approved recipe for its concoction.
Doubtless, it is the part of grey-bearded wisdom first to find out just
what soil water is, au naturel, before we begin to add the condiments.
So, according to the scientists, there are three varieties of soil water.
According to the plant, however, there is only one; for the plant gets
none at all of the “hygroscopic” or persisting pore water, and precious
little of the “gravitational” water, which runs into the bowels of the earth
as fast as the natural drainage channels can carry it. The only water that
the plant can really depend upon is that which sticks around in the soil all
the time, through thick and thin, within reach of the roots. The scientists’
name for this is “capillary” water, which while an imposing word, hasn’t
a very clear adaptation in the connection.
But, to speak botanically, we are not quite up a tree. From the
old-time high school days, some of us will recall the terms adhesion and
cohesion; and these, when taken down from the back of the top shelf
and respectfully dusted off, will be found precisely what is wanted to
make plain the continuous presence of the soil water in the soil, and its
helpful movements, to and fro, therein. To make the matter still clearer,
let us preface our venture into natural philosophy with a very simple
experiment. Borrowing two of the children’s marbles (when they are
not looking), we dip one of them into water. The entire surface of the
marble becomes wet; that is, a film of water clings to the whole sphere,
no matter which way it is turned, and entirely regardless of the attraction
of gravitation, which tends to pull all the water to the underside of the
marble, and cause it to drop off. This clinging of the film of water is due to
that attraction between the marble and the water which is called adhesion.
Now dipping the second marble, hold it to touch the first one, still wet at
one side. Notice that just below the point of contact, a droplet of water
gathers. The lower surface of this droplet is arched upward, instead of
downward as a droplet of water commonly forms. This little drop off is
due to the cohesion which the particles of water have for each other;
a kind of attraction in which these particles pull at one another, causing
them to travel considerable distances, one step at a time, in the endeavor
to unite into one mass.
Here we have the whole story in a nutshell. What is called “capillary”
soil water is made up of these films of water which surround the individual
particles of the soil, together with the tiny droplets arching between
them where they touch. Obviously, the smaller particles of soil in a given
bulk, the greater the total area of surface to be wet, and the larger the
number of these droplets; and, consequently, the greater the quantity
of soil water that will be held in a kind of storage for the thirsting plant.
Another thing—if, instead of plain water, the marbles had been
dipped in milk, or molasses, or any other liquid denser than water, the
films which surrounded them would have been thicker and the droplets
much larger. As the soil water always has some mineral salts dissolved
in it, such a thickening would add somewhat to the bulk of “capillary”
water held in the soil.
The paragraph immediately preceding seems to suggest that the more
salts dissolved in the soil water, the better—on the score of the larger
volume of water thus stored against the needs of the plants. But here
comes into play the peculiar plant characteristic that it cannot feed at all
unless the “broth” is extremely weak, so that we have to watch out to
keep it watery enough. And then comes up the question, “What do you
mean by enough?”
Fortunately for us, our tireless fellow conspirators, the agricultural
chemists, have figured this all out. They say that 85 to 95 percent of the
substance of ordinary farm crops is just water; and that to deposit in its
proper place in the plant structure each pound of the remaining five to
15 percent (which is the dry matter of the crop), the growing plant has to
take from the soil and pass through its organism to the leaves (whence it
is evaporated into the air), from 200 to 600 pounds of water—the exact
amount depending upon the kind of crop it is. Thus, in the case of an
average acre of yellow corn, the dry material of the crop—that is, the grain
and dry cornstalks—will weigh about 3,400 pounds; and the weight of soil
water necessary to bring that crop to full ripening is close to 1,360,000
pounds; that is, about 85,000 pailfuls, distributed over the 43,560 square
feet of land surface there is in an acre. This figures out very nearly to two
pailfuls to every square foot.
At first glance, this is surely startling to think of. Where under the
firmament are we to get all this water? Well, that’s one thing we do not
have to fret about in these latitudes. Our usual rainfall, except during dry
spells, is three times more than any crop can use; and if we conserve it
by tillage and watchful mulching, no ill effects are likely to overtake us.
Now, let us say at once that it is the rain that is the foundation of the
broth we are to brew for the delectation of our growing plants. And rain,
as we know, is the purest natural water to be had. When it first starts to
fall, it may gather more or less of the dust sometimes floating in the air;
and, also, we always find in rain water some of the air itself which it has
dissolved on the way down. If it has fallen during a thunder shower, it
is likely to have also a little nitric acid in it—formed by the union of the
nitrogen and oxygen of the air by the passage of the lightening spark
through it. Still another ingredient of most rain by the time it reaches
the ground, and a very important one it is, as far as the growing plant
is concerned, is carbon dioxide, or carbonic acid gas. This constituent,
even without any nitric acid, gives the new-fallen rain power to dissolve
certain of the soil minerals, and so help to thicken up the soil water into
a more nourishing mixture for the plant roots.
- Celebrating Centennial: Continued on page 16 -
11

BARTLETT.
BECAUSE CUSTOMER SERVICE, JUST LIKE TREES,
SHOULD BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.
We’re Bartlett Tree Experts and we’ve been exceeding our customers’
expectations for over 100 years. No matter the size or scope of your
tree and shrub needs, our experts bring a rare mix of local service,
global resources and innovative tree care practices that makes
your landscape thrive. Trees add value to your property.
And Bartlett adds value to your trees.
For the life of your trees.
PRUNING . FERTILIZATION . PEST & DISEASE MANAGEMENT . REMOVAL
PLEASE CALL 877 BARTLETT 877.227.8538 OR VISIT BARTLETT.COM
12

Green Star Awards
- continued from page 8 -
UGL Unicco/University of Miami
Category: Athletic Fields
UGL Unicco/University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., was home to the Superbowl
44 NFC practice field and the 2009 ACC Championship Track Meet. Each field is
proudly presented to students and visitors alike. In the past two years, there has been
a track reconstruction, additions to the baseball stadium and over 20,000 square feet
of ground refurbishment.
Fordham University
Category: Urban University Grounds
The Rose Hill campus of Fordham University is located on 85 acres in the north Bronx
and is among the largest “open space campuses” in the city. Fordham is unique because
it borders several large parks and nature preserves, including The New York Botanical
Garden and the Bronx Wildlife Conservancy, while surrounded by a challenging urban
environment. The landscaping of the campus includes wide pedestrian walkways,
grass field open spaces, spectacular flower beds, and groves of mature trees, offering
students the ability to enjoy a park-like campus setting.
13

- Pruning Time: Continued from page 5 -
Second, Gilman recommends selecting lateral branches that
are growing too close together and removing them in order to
create a well-spaced, spiraled architecture (Gilman, pg. 188).
Any time multiple branches are growing close together on the
trunk while a tree is young, at least one should be removed to
accommodate branch growth and strong structure. When these
first two steps are complete, the tree should have a single trunk
with well-spaced, properly angled branches. For a picture of
what this looks like, download a free copy of the Florida Grades
and Standards for Nursery Plants at http://www.doacs.state.
fl.us/pi/pubs.html. Hopefully, you can prune trees to resemble a
Florida Fancy grade.
Third, determine what lower branches to remove. Raising the
crown of a tree as it grows will allow room to walk, mow or
see beneath it. If they are street trees, your local department
of transportation will thank you for this (hopefully). Dr.
Gilman recommends keeping two-thirds of the tree’s height
as canopy, so start by removing lower branches that fall in the
lower one-third. If the remaining branches still obstruct site or
pedestrian access, consider pruning those as well.
Lastly, any branches that have been broken, are dead, have
branch cankers and/or galls should be removed. This will help
reduce the incidence or spread of decay fungi and will keep the
tree healthy.
Please note that the steps listed above are meant as a guide and
each tree should be evaluated separately and pruned accordingly.
In addition, bear in mind that young trees should not have more
than 25 percent of the live crown removed in a year, so don’t get
too aggressive with pruning. If you do, the tree will respond with
The Toro Company was pleased
to recognize Casey Dallas as the
recipient of its annual Toro Super
Bowl Sports Turf Training Program.
In partnership with the National
Football League® (NFL), Dallas was on-site during Super Bowl
XLV helping the grounds crew prepare the field for the biggest
football game of the year.
Toro equipment and representatives have been involved in
preparing the stadium and practice fields for the Super Bowl for
over 40 years. Starting with the inaugural World Championship in
1967, the NFL grounds crew has relied on Toro for its expertise
in preparing the game field and multiple practice facilities. In
2003, the organizations partnered to establish The Toro Super
Bowl Sports Turf Training Program.
Through the Sports Turf Training Program, Toro and the NFL’s
Super Bowl grounds team collaborate to offer a program aimed
at enhancing the skills of emerging sports turf professionals.
This program provides hands-on experience in establishing and
maintaining safe playing fields. As this year’s recipient, Dallas
worked alongside Ed Mangan, NFL field director, and the Super
Bowl grounds crew at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington,Texas on
turf maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day
and halftime preparation and clean-up.
Dallas, a student a Kansas State University working toward a
14
vigorous sprouting in spring.
After two to three years of honing your technique in young tree
pruning, you will begin to see a difference in tree structure,
form and growth. Investing your time now to prune young trees
will save thousands of dollars in tree maintenance and storm
damage mitigation in the long run. It may be a hard sell to shift
labor resources to a new endeavor, but the argument in terms of
long-term cost savings should help convince your boss to make
this important investment in managing young trees.
Young trees, like young people need direction if they are to
succeed. A basic knowledge of pruning will help you and your
staff develop outstanding branch structure and healthy trees
that will succeed in the landscape for many decades. For more
information on proper pruning of young trees, contact the
International Society of Aboriculture at www.isa-arbor.com.
Co-authored by:
Liz Gilland is the new urban forester for the City of Camden, S.C. and
has been an ISA Certified Arborist for over 12 years. She previously
worked for the S.C. Forestry Commission as the state’s community
forestry coordinator.
Jimmy Walters is the president of Urban Forest Advisors, LLC
consulting company and has been an ISA Certified Arborist for over
15 years. He previously worked for the S.C. Forestry Commission as
the Piedmont region urban forester and is now assisting the agency
as the interim community forestry coordinator on a part-time basis.
Carroll Williamson is the land development planner for Richland County
and has been an ISA Certified Arborist for over five years. He previously
worked as the reforestation forester for the City of Columbia.
Toro Selects Winner of 2011 Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program
bachelor’s degree in agriculture, has focused his college studies
on horticulture and sports turf operations management. “Turf
managers face challenges every day in preparing fields to be
aesthetically pleasing, consistent and safe,” says Dallas. “As
the technology in the sport turf management industry rapidly
progresses, as a sport turf manager, I need to be ready to adapt
to these changes. The opportunity to participate in Toro’s Super
Bowl Sports Turf Training Program gave me the knowledge and
experience to better understand how to promote good turf
management techniques.”
With an extensive history of supporting student scholarships and
educational activities, Toro is proud to offer this unique learning
experience. “We’re excited to partner with the NFL once again
to provide this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Casey Dallas,”
said Dale Getz, CSFM, sports fields and grounds sales manager
at Toro. “This program reflects our interest in helping students
in turf programs learn what it takes to maintain safe playing
condition at all levels of competition.”
“Toro continues to play an instrumental role in helping us
maintain a safe, high-quality playing field year after year,” said
Mangan. “Toro mowers, vehicles and equipment help us prepare
for each Super Bowl, and the company’s expertise in turf
management, whether it’s natural or artificial turf, has helped us
create a field that can withstand the most demanding situation.”
*Super Bowl is a registered trademark of the NFL.

facebook.com/cub-cadet
Great Factory Financing Available
@Cub_Cadet
Meet the
league leader
in versatility.
© 2011 Cub Cadet
The University of Akron InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field
CUB CADET VOLUNTEER 4x4 UTILITY VEHICLES
What gives this UV the power and versatility to take on anything? Plenty of reasons, including the superior versatility to add
more than 40 different attachments. And a 1,400-lb.** towing capacity that lets you confi dently haul the heaviest payloads.
Plus, a dual A-arm suspension and coil-over shocks deliver a smooth ride over any terrain. All of which puts powerful utility
into the Volunteer utility vehicles.
Go to cubcadet.com/pgms to find your nearest dealer and unbeatable factory financing, including 0%*.
* Not all buyers qualify. See dealer or cubcadet.com for details.
** Includes operator, passenger and bed capacity.
cubcadet.com/pgms
15

- Celebrating Centennial: Continued from page 11 -
When the rain water with its dissolved materials has gotten well down
within the soil, and has been pulled about, this way and that, by cohesion,
until it is quite evenly distributed, old Dame Nature has come to the end
of her rope—and here is where we come in with our superior intelligence
and meddlesome disposition. Mostly by blind experiment, but somewhat,
too, by ingenious analysis, we have arrived at the knowledge that a
growing plant, to do its best, must have in the soil water a limited supply
of three things that it cannot get anywhere else—and without which it is
very likely to contribute unnecessarily to our already large enough burden
of disappointments. These three things are learnedly designated by the
agricultural chemists as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. But that
does not settle anything as far as the plant is concerned. The plant is not
a chemist; it is a most fastidious epicure. Though the chemists specify
“ammonia” as an exceptionally good form in which to supply nitrogen
to the plant, Mr. Plant haughtily refuses even to smell of it. The plant will
take its absolutely essential nitrogen only in the form of a “nitrate”—that
is, in a combination of nitric acid with some mineral salt; it may be soda,
or potash, or at a pinch, even with lime. Strange as it may seem, the
placid-looking plant is the most obstinate creature in the world. It never
gives in. If its demands are not met in toto, it not only lays itself down
and dies, but seems to take a defiant pleasure in it.
In the face of this unyielding attitude, nature has devised a way of
keeping things going. Given the ammonia, she gets to work her own
private chemists, the soil bacteria to change that ammonia which the
plant cannot use into nitrates which it can use. First, one family of bacteria
turns the ammonia into nitrites; then an entirely different bacteria family
oxidizes the nitrites into nitrates. All this takes time, and lots of it, even
when there are bacteria enough present in the soil to do the work;
if not enough, more time must be allowed for them to increase and
multiply, until they are equal to the task. This is why some frank dealers
in fertilizers will offer you an ammonia fertilizer on the score that it is
“long-lasting nitrogen.” It is indeed long lasting—in the same sense that a
tough beefsteak is long-lasting—because you cannot eat it. The plain truth
is that while the ammonia is being thus transformed into an acceptable
nitrate, the plant is going without nitrogen entirely for the first week, or
two, or three, and does not get all the nitrogen there is in an ammonia
fertilizer until five or six weeks have fled into the past.
Now, think! There are only just so many days in a growing season.
Let us put the question as it really is: How many of these earliest warm
days of spring can we afford to sacrifice in waiting on the doings of some
bacteria—which, indeed, may not be there at all? And why, when we
know the plant insists upon nitrates, should we spread ammonia salts
around, and then sit by until something happens?
With the phosphorous ingredient, we are in even a worse fix, for if
we are growing flowers or fruit, phosphorus is absolutely indispensable,
and there is nothing else that can take its place—with or without the
aid of the soil bacteria. As it happens, all the phosphorus available to us
gardeners is second-hand or worse. Many previous generations of plants
have made use of it, and animals ate of these plants, and while so doing,
stored away the phosphorus in their bones, and from their cast-off bones
we have to get back that phosphorus as best we can. This is why bones
are ground up into bonemeal and boneflour with the idea that when this
fine bone is put into the soil, the plants can get back the phosphorus in
some magical way for themselves. A vain notion! For the phosphorus in
bones is in a chemical deadlock which cannot be broken by any known
process of nature. It is true that finely ground bone dug into the soil will
pep up growing plants noticeably; but do not let us be deceived—that
result is due not to its content of phosphorus, but to the two or three
percent of nitrogen in the animal matter of the bone structure. We can
get this same effect far more quickly and more effectively with a nitrate.
Here is the plant fact; the particular form of phosphorus which we must
have if we are to grow flowers and their succeeding fruits—a form freely
soluble in water, so that the plant roots can take it in and add it to the sap—
cannot be gotten from bone until it has been dissolved by the powerful
16
acids of the chemist, and the bone thus changed into “superphosphate”
(also known in the fertilizer trade as “acid bone phosphate” and more
rarely as “dissolved bone”). Upon this delectable substance the plant is
eager to begin to feast without a day’s delay.
With the third requisite, the potassium, the conditions are in pleasing
contrast with those of the other two. All the salts of potassium are
quickly soluble in water, and the plant can use any one of them without
preliminary fixing.
Having now thrashed out all the pertinent facts, we are ready to
begin our tinkering. For the foundation of our broth, there are the two
pailfuls of water to the square foot of land surface, figured out on the
acre of corn. Assuming that nature will not fail to provide during the
season, as is its wont, that much soil water in and beneath each square
foot of our garden area, the problem is to calculate how much of the
three essentials—nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potassium—we must
work down into so much soil to give every plant feeding in that space a
square meal for each day of the growing season. Whether there is, or
not, a partial supply of these foods already in the soil cannot be learned
without a long and tedious chemical analysis. It is simpler to argue that
the cupboard is bare. If there should happen to be any left-overs from
last year’s feeding, we are so much to the good.
So, to furnish the nitrogen constituent, let us take nitrate of soda, which
is inexpensive, and exceedingly quick in action—which means that plants
are fond of it. For each square foot of garden bed, the proper amount
is one-half a level teaspoonful; and this is not to be given all at once, but
at three different times, at intervals of four weeks, beginning with the
first really warm days of summer. The phosphorus will be in the form of
superphosphate; the proper quantity for each square foot being one level
teaspoonful—given all at once, along with the first dose of the nitrate.
The potassium is best supplied in the form of sulphate of potash. In the
ordinary mixed fertilizers sold in the stores, the potash is in the form
of muriate; and this is well enough for fruit trees and for most garden
vegetables, but many plants we grow for their flowers sicken with it. The
amount needed is just half as much as of the nitrate, and all of it goes in
at once with the superphosphate.
To get these condiments surely and completely into the soil water,
the simplest instrument is the watering pot. Fill this with water, and for
each pint it holds add one dose of the superphosphate and the potash,
and the one-third modicum of nitrate allotted to the first feeding. Stir
vigorously. Stir again—three or four times. Take off the spray-cap from
the pot, and pour the broth over the soil as evenly as possible, one pint
upon each square foot of soil. It will help a lot if a scattering of holes four
inches deep is first made in the ground with a dibber. After the pouring,
go over the surface with a deep raking, and then sprinkle freely with clear
water. Plants may be set out in a bed, so treated, as soon as the sprinkled
water has distributed so that the soil is not muddy anywhere.
If the soil to be fed is already set with plants, the operation will have
to be restricted to filling four-inch holes made with a dibber between
the plants, and at least five inches away from any plant stem. And it will
require a little more care in seeing that each square foot gets just its
point of broth, and no more. After filling the holes full, cover them with
a handful of earth. While this tinkering of the soil water is done preferably
at the beginning of the growing season, it is of advantage at any time
when conditions indicate that the plants are halted in luxuriant growth.
A flowering plant, to do its best, must be a little more than thrifty all the
time. If it is not, in 95 cases out of a hundred, it means that you and I
have not done what only can do with the soil water—and we cannot lay
the blame on anything else.
And then, with the consciousness of duty well done, we may leave the
rest to Providence—all except those other two modicums of nitrates,
which we had much better tend to ourselves, when their time comes
around.

Can a Festival of Lights be “Sustainable”
by Christopher S. Weavil, CGM maintenance supervisor
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation/Tanglewood Park
bulbs. They used some of the following information to formulate
the decision to purchase the LED technology.
Incandescent
LED
Bulb Lifespan (hrs) 1,200 50,000
Wattage 5 0.5
Cost per bulb .25 3.25
KW of power used over 50K hrs 60 25
Cost per KWh @.20¢ $12.00 $5.00
Bulbs needed for 50K hrs of use 42 1
Equivalent 50K hr bulb expense $10.50 $3.25
Total Cost for 50k hours $22.50 $8.25
The Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights has been an annual
holiday season destination in Forsyth County North Carolina
every year for the past 19 years. As the Festival of Lights looks
towards its 20th Anniversary the Forsyth County (NC) Parks &
Recreation Department’s Tanglewood Park staff began to think
“how can we make this event better and more economical in
these tight times?”
Tanglewood Park was once the estate of Mr. & Mrs. William
Neal Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was the brother of R.J. Reynolds
and worked as a director for R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
until the death of his brother when he became the Chief
Executive of the company. His estate, Tanglewood, was donated
to the citizens of Forsyth County as Tanglewood Park in the
1950s. Tanglewood has operated as a park ever since that date.
Currently, Tanglewood Park is the largest park in Forsyth County
(N.C.) Parks & Recreation Department’s nine-park system.
Tanglewood boasts just over 1,300 acres and is the largest single
parcel of land in Forsyth County.
The Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights is one of the southeast’s
largest holiday light shows. The Festival of Lights boasts “nearly a
million lights in over 72 animated thematic displays.” The Festival
of Lights runs each November-January at Tanglewood Park and
averages between 200,000-250,000 visitors to the approximately
fifty (50) day festival each year.
In 1991, Tanglewood, operating with a startup grant from the Z.
Smith Reynolds’s Foundation, lit up the holidays with what was to
become a four-mile holiday light extravaganza. At that time and
up until very recently the lighting technology was almost totally
incandescent. In the beginning we used both C-9 (7 watt) and
C-7 (5 watt) incandescent bulbs. As time progressed so did the
Festival. Tanglewood standardized their bulb inventory to only
C-7 five watt bulbs by 2001.
As the years moved on, so did technology. Around 2006 and
2007, LED technology became available, in limited fashion, for
the light displays Tanglewood purchased. LEDs were new and
not 100% understood. But staff liked the sustainable aspects for
the environment, especially as a park. Staff, however, did not like
the associated costs.
So Tanglewood began looking at the LED technology and finally
purchased a single large display, comprised of over 1,000 total
The new technology was quite different to get used to. First, the
first generation LED bulbs had indestructible prismatic lenses!
What a plus; NO broken bulbs; think of the labor saving, not
to mention all of the other tasks that could be accomplished.
Indestructible lenses are good, unfortunately however, the lenses
were all the same color: clear. In LED’s, the diode makes the color,
not the lens. Can you imagine having to change a bulb and then
guess what color it is? Well, you say, LED’s last over 50k hours!
Why would you have to change them in a new display? Well, those
first generation bulbs worked fine, they were just loose in the
wiring socket and fell out during transport! Another drawback to
the first generation LED’s was having 12V transformers in the mix
of electrical gear, these were problematic as well.
As time went along staff learned to deal with and handle the
issues with the first generation LED bulbs and wiring. With
LEDs, you get an amazingly crisp, stark color. Animation of the
display became much easier, which added depth to the show.
In 2010, Tanglewood purchased their newest LED display. With
the new technology, several issues had been addressed. Bulbs
don’t fall out any more! If they do, they are easily changed since
the lens is now the same color as the light emitting diode itself!
Also, the 12V transformers have been taken out of play since
the transformers are now small enough to put into the base of a
C7 sized bulb! This last leap has the greatest possibilities, due to
the fact the bulbs with transformers in the base can be used to
retrofit ANY existing older displays, with no special wiring.
As seen from the math above, there is a savings of about 36%
when using LED’s bulbs vs. incandescent. The annual electricity bill
for the show was a total of approximately $50K. Who would not
love a savings of $18K per year? Tanglewood has also looked at
our labor estimates and will have approximately an 85% reduction
on bulb changing labor once retrofits are completed. (Tanglewood
burns bulbs about 12 hours a day for 50 days, so that’s 80 years
worth of life expectancy!) Think about the possibilities!
In conclusion, in our age of sustainability, it is important to look
at your operation, don’t let it look at you. There are a multitude
of things that can be done to cut costs, reduce waste, etc. In my
case I did not take the time to stop and look and see what could
be done. With a little time, a little effort, and of course a little
money, you can make a difference. Not only will the difference
be felt now, but for generations to come. As a grounds manager, I
feel it is my responsibility to be a good steward of the land in my
care and to make that land better for all generations to come.
17

Automate your maintenance.
Go Wireless!
Capture equipment
hours automatically.
Together with the myTurf Fleet
Management System, the myTurf Wireless
functionality simplifies and automates
your equipment maintenance operations
and ensures your maintenance is done
in a timely manner. Contact your Toro
Distributor at 1-888-222-8676 today or
visit myturf.com for more information.
visit myturf.com
©2011 The Toro Company. All rights reserved.
myTurf_Ad_PGMS_thirdpg_2_11.indd 1
PGMS Welcomes Our
Newest Members!
Mike Arnold
Flail-Master
Brian Ashorn
Texas A&M University
Terry J. Beard
Beard’s Landscape Co.
William F. Bittle, III
Mino Park District
Amy Bledsoe
City of Columbia
- Forestry &
Beautification Div.
Joe F. Boggs
Ohio State Extension/
Entomology
Kelly Bonham
Finn Corporation
Tom Bythell
University of N.C. -
Chapel Hill
Donna L. Chronic
GA Institute of
Technology Landscape
Services
Derek Clay
Guilford Civil
Township-Hendricks
County
Deborah Dramby
University of MD;
Google
William E. Dugger
University of Mary
Hardin Baylor
18
Debra Eichenberger
HACC Central PA’s
Community Coll.
Malcolm Floyd, Jr.
Seaside Farm Proper
Chris Freeman
Sox & Freeman Tree
Expert Company
David W. Gagnon
University of MD
Stephen Gissy, II
E-Landscape Specialty
Solutions LLC
Robert W. Goebel
National Management
Resources-CIU
Scott Hartz
Mennonite Home
Communities
Karl Hensley
Lafayette Parks and
Recreation
Scott A. Hosier
University of MD
Benjamin Huntington
Pleasant View
Gardens
Alfred H. Jackson
Lone Star College -
Cy Fair
Karl Jacobs
The Christ Hospital
John. A Mowbray
University of MD
2/14/11 7:41 AM
Rain Bird’s 2011 Intelligent Use of Water Film
Competition Announces Call for Entries
Environmentally-focused Film Competition Seeks Short Films Highlighting the
Need for Responsible Water Use
Rain Bird’s 2011 Intelligent Use of Water
Film Competition is now accepting entries
from amateur and experienced filmmakers
who want to raise awareness of the need
for effective, efficient and responsible
water use. Now in its fourth year, the
Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition
is open to all narrative, documentary,
animated, experimental short films of one
to 10 minutes in length. These films should
creatively explore methods and ideas about how to responsibly manage and use Earth’s
most precious resource.
A judging panel of film and water experts will review films submitted via the
competition’s website, www.IUOWFILM.com. Finalists will win a trip to Los Angeles,
where they will be guests at a formal screening event hosted by wildlife expert, Jack
Hanna, a 30-year veteran of documentary films and TV shows.
“As a person that has spent the better part of my life documenting the beauty of
wildlife and the habitats in which they live, I can appreciate the incredible power that
film has to open minds, create an emotional connection and bring about change,”
said Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus (Ohio) Zoo and Aquarium and host
of the syndicated television series Into the Wild. “When I travel around the globe, I
get to see firsthand just how strong the connection between water and life is. I am
excited to once again have the opportunity to join Rain Bird in raising awareness of
the fragility of all life and the need to find sustainable solutions that will preserve all of
Earth’s inhabitants.”
Following the screening of the finalists’ films and a roundtable discussion with the
filmmakers and judges, two winners will be announced and awarded cash prizes of
$6,000 for the Jury Award and $3,000 for the Audience Choice Award.
This year’s competition will also feature a $6,000 Green Industry Award, which will
- Film Competition: Continued on page 24 -

ECHO Joins PGMS as Newest Elite Partner
ECHO-USA is helping
PGMS kick off its 2011
Centennial celebration by
expanding its support to become a PGMS Bronze Elite Partner
in Professionalism.
“Our Elite Partners are particularly helpful in the expansion
of the Certified Grounds Manager and Certified Grounds
Technician professional designation programs,” pointed out Joe
Jackson, CGM, president of PGMS. “They are also instrumental
in the support for the annual PGMS Green Star Awards grounds
recognition program.”
Echo joins Platinum Elite Partners John Deere and Cub Cadet;
Gold Elite Partners Bartlett Tree, Davey Tree, and Proven
Winners; Silver Elite Partners STIHL and Toro; and Bronze Elite
Partner Midwest Rake Company in its support of PGMS.
By becoming a PGMS Elite Partner in Professionalism, green
industry suppliers can meet specialized marketing needs.
Benefits include e-mail marketing, advertising, feature articles
in the PGMS Ground Management Forum, and the Grounds for
Thought e-news, sponsorship of the PGMS School of Grounds
Management at the GIE+EXPO, two regional visitation
programs and more.
For more information on Echo, visit www.echo-usa.com.
The Tools
of the Trade
Professional landscapers put their trust in the quality of STIHL.
STIHL has set the standard for the power and reliability professional landscapers need
for their toughest tasks. And with innovations in fuel efficiency and user comfort, STIHL
keeps you going to get the job done.
Discover the difference STIHL can make at STIHLusa.com
© 2011 STIHL Inc.
19

Coloring is Still Fun
by Amy Bledsoe
I must confess that my love of color developed very
early in my life. In kindergarten everyone in the class had
an eight count box of crayons, which was dutifully kept
in a cigar box along with a pair of round tipped safety
scissors, a bottle of glue, a few pencils, and an eraser. I
was never particularly obsessed with staying within the
lines when I colored. Instead, I loved to scribble the colors
across the paper and overlap the colors with each other.
Sometimes the colors combined to make a new and
pleasantly different shade
of color. At other times I
would layer on multiple
layers of colors right on top
of each other and then use
my fingernail to scratch off
places to reveal the hidden
colors underneath. Alas, my
pictures were not usually
chosen by the teacher to
hang for display on the hall
bulletin board! My solace
came in the way of the
64-count crayon box that
was given to me in second
grade. Oh, the good times
I had with that! It was
very apparent which hues
were my favorites. I very
quickly wore them down to
tiny nubs. The colors that
I shunned were the ones
that stood tallest in the box.
They were those “boring”
colors of black, white, grey,
and tan. I loved bright colors
best, but learned quickly to
appreciate the varying hues
of the same color.
As a landscape designer, I’m still coloring only now
plants are my crayons. Each winter I look forward to the
horticulture industry’s trade shows. I can’t wait to see the
vendors’ displays of plants and see what breeders have
come up with new for the landscape. I may have been
caught salivating a time or two over something that caught
my eye. Is there a twelve step program for people like me?
I drive the vendors crazy asking questions about their plant
materials. How tall and wide does it grow? Is it deciduous?
How cold hardy is it? When does it flower and for how
long? I really can’t help myself. It’s a sickness I’ve had for a
20
long time.
“I must confess that my love of color
developed very early in my life. In
kindergarten everyone in the class
had an eight count box of crayons...
As a landscape designer, I’m still
coloring, only now plants are my
crayons.”
As landscapers it’s easy to fall into a rut with the plant
materials. We tend to fall back on the same old standby of
junipers, hollies, Indian hawthorns, liriope, daylilies, and
azaleas. There’s nothing wrong with using these plants.
They’re great plants that perform well in our climate.
However, if you can’t name more than a six plants beyond
your standby list of plants, you’re in a rut. Maybe you
can name a few plants, but don’t know any of the plant
cultivars. For example, you
may have heard of abelias,
but you say you don’t use
them because you like to use
more evergreen plants, and
besides, they get too big for
foundation plantings. Surprise!
Many of the new cultivars are
evergreen and have wonderful
colors in their foliage. Many
years of breeding has brought
them down to useful sizes
for landscapes. Check out
for yourself the cultivars of
Abelia called “Kaleidoscope,”
“Rose Creek,” “Mardi Gras,”
“Confetti,” and “Twist of
Lime.” Abelias will bloom
freely from spring until
frost, and the flowers are
attractive to hummingbirds.
Loropetalums are another
example of a plant that
breeders have been busy
developing. No longer are they
just green with white flowers.
There has been an explosion
of red-leafed varieties with
pink flowers. Their diversity of size makes their potential
for landscape use staggering. Become familiar with cultivars
such as “Zhuzhou Fuchsia,” “Burgundy,” “Ruby,” “Pizzazz,”
“Purple Pixie,” “Purple Diamond,” “Plum,” “Suzanne,” and
others. Thanks to magazines, TV, and the Internet your
potential clients are hearing about them and wanting them
thanks to clever marketing strategies. Don’t be in danger of
being in a plant rut. Make time to attend trade shows and
investigate the wonderful new plants that are out there.
Amy is the Landscape Designer with the City of Columbia,
South Carolina Division of Forestry and Beautification.

Inside a New Generation
of ZeroTurn Mowers
Zero-turn mowers improve the efficiency and productivity
of any grounds crew and are an absolute necessity on the
job. However, traditional lap-bar controlled zero-turns
aren’t always the most intuitive machines. They can be
difficult to use and feature front caster wheels that make
them less stable on slopes and hillsides. That’s why Cub
Cadet developed a game-changer in the ZTR market with
its patented Synchro Steer technology. Their new system
replaces lap bars with an easy-to-use steering wheel, foot
pedal controls and steerable front wheels for added stability
on slopes and hillsides.
Confidence Through Control
Although some users may still prefer lap-bar ZTRs, for
beginners, they can be intimidating and difficult to learn
and may even lead to costly turf damage during the training
process. Since very few pieces of machinery are controlled
by lap bars they can sometimes take a lot more time to
master. Comparatively, a steering wheel is something the
average worker encounters at least once a day. The familiar
platform makes even the first-time operator productive and
confident with little to no training.
Zero-Turn Maneuverability
Like any other zero-turn, Synchro Steer systems offer
the same level of maneuverability, versatility and zero-turn
functionality as lap bar units. In fact, zero-turns with Synchro
Steer actually offer a more precise turn than anything on
the market. With full directional control over all wheels,
including the front, Synchro Steer units actually use the
angle of the front wheels to establish turning speed. That
means when a complete zero-radius turn is made, all four
wheels are actually moving at different speeds based on the
direction of the front wheels. This enables Synchro Steer
machines—like Cub Cadet Commercial’s TANK S—to
make the tightest possible turn. This also means that when
navigating flat land, slopes and hillsides, all wheels offer
traction.
Tame Turfing
Unlike traditional zero-turns that rely on an experienced
operator to control the speed and direction of the wheels,
the Synchro Steer system makes it easy by taking out the
guesswork. The Synchro Steer system does just what it
says and actually synchronizes all four wheels to eliminate
turfing. This is especially important in soggy or damp terrain.
Additionally, Cub’s system virtually eliminates the “plowing”
effect—forcing the front wheels to horizontally push through
turf. This is accomplished by giving the operator complete
control over all wheels—including its steerable front. With
caster wheels it is possible and often a reality for them to get
stuck in a side position from rough terrain, bumping, jarring
or even the loss of traction on slopes and hillsides. When
that happens, each stripe of freshly cut grass also includes
an ugly rut caused by the forced forward movement of
the caster. Synchro Steer technology makes it easier to
navigate difficult terrain and virtually impossible to plow
grounds with the front wheels.
To experience this ground-breaking technology offering
gas-, diesel- and liquid propane-powered options, stop by
www.CubCadetCommercial.com to find the closest dealer
and schedule a demonstration.
21

WE HAVE
“EXPERT” IN
OUR NAME
FOR A
VERY GOOD
REASON.
Davey has been preserving and
protecting trees since 1880. That’s a
wealth of tree health care knowledge
that can effectively work for you.
When you’re faced with tighter
budgets and fewer people to handle
more, the Davey professionals can
tackle the tough jobs with timesaving
efficiency, safety and security.
Contact The Davey Tree
Expert Company Today.
Call 800.445.8733 or visit
www.davey.com
• Diagnostic
Tree Care Expertise
• Quality Tree Pruning
• Deep-Root Fertilization
• Pest Management Services
• Large Tree Moving
• Expert Consultation
• Complete Research
& Technical Support
• Fully Insured
• Coast To Coast
& Canada
22

Member Profile
This section is to help members become
familiar with each other through a brief
interview. Time and time again, our members
state networking amongst ourselves is the greatest aspect of membership. I am honored to introduce Denny
Baker, formely from Cinicinnati State Tech. Denny has not only been a speaker at our GIE classes, but has
served on PGMS committees and now serves as a board member representing the North Central Region. I
encourage you to contact Denny, he is an absolute wealth of information (dennybaker1215@hotmail.com)!
John Van Etten: Hi Denny, I was glad to see you join our board of directors this past October. I’ve had a great time getting to know
you over the past few years by working with you on the educational and certification committees. Can you describe what you are
currently working on with CGT certification?
Denny Baker: This has been an exciting project! The winter weather has given me a great opportunity to focus on completely
revamping the CGT certification process. I felt that the CGT system needed to be updated to reflect the current knowledge and
practices of today’s green industry. The new system will incorporate six topical areas of required knowledge structured in what I call
a “training guide outline.” These six areas of required knowledge are Turfgrass Management, Landscape Tree Management, Landscape
Shrub Management, Flowers in the Landscapes, Soils-Texture and pH Impact on Plants and Sustainable Landscape Practices. I believe
this new process will enhance the applicant’s involvement because it requires research to be conducted on the Internet as a study
mechanism to prepare them for the actual testing procedure. The actual cost to PGMS for this new process will be greatly reduced and
it will also be a training ground for those interested in progressing towards their CGM certification. I have finished about 90 percent of
the project and the entire certification process should be completed by spring.
JVE: Denny, over the years I’ve met many members. I am always intrigued by what got them interested in the green industry and what
inspires them. Please elaborate on your career.
DB: What a great RIDE. As a kid I enjoyed mowing at home and had several mowing jobs for spending money and to help with
school tuition. In April of 1971, I left an office position performing purchasing and accounting functions for $2.75/hr and started with
a company called Chem-Lawn Corp. making $4. Wow, $160/week was a killer salary doing something that I always enjoyed, that
was GOOD money back then. I was very blessed to move up in the organization quickly and became a branch manager in 1976. My
passion for the green industry is as strong today as it was back in 1971.
JVE: I know you are recently retired from Cincinnati State. Are you busier now than when you were working?
DB: Absolutely. Each day I have prepared a “to-do” list for myself—please note that I make my own list and not my wife! Throughout
the winter, I’ve kept busy with many projects at my daughter’s house, around my own, helping a couple of neighbors, working on the
CGT certification program and most importantly, spending quality time with my grandchildren. Filling up the first 10-12 hours of each
day is never a problem. Realistically, I look back and wonder how I actually had time to work for a living.
JVE: Even being retired you are still actively engaged in your profession and your involvement with PGMS. Was that part of your plan?
DB: I think back about five years ago and I can honestly say that was not part of a “plan,” it was an evolution brought on by my
continued passion for the industry and my desire to stay connected with good people that have common interests in the green
industry. PGMS is an organization. However, it’s the PEOPLE that make it what it is today as it was in its infancy 100 years ago. I’m
very proud of being a member of PGMS.
JVE: I have always visualized retirement starting every day at 5 a.m. mowing greens, enjoying the sunrise every morning on a golf
course, then eating a mid-morning breakfast with my wife!
DB: John, that is awesome. I believe everyone should have dreams, without them we would not have anything to work toward and
look forward to after retirement begins.
JVE: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
DB: I enjoy woodworking, camping and above all spending time with family.
JVE: Denny I know you enjoy PGMS committee work. What other committees have you served on and tell us about those experiences.
DB: I have also been active with a local organization called the Tri-state Green Industry Conference. This is a one-day complete green
industry training conference that provides many educational seminars in several areas of the green industry serving Ohio, Indiana
and Kentucky. I have co-chaired this conference for the past seven years along with Tom Smith of Spring Grove Cemetery. The
organizational committee is comprised of 12 people from various areas of the green industry. This again is about being involved with
good people with common interests and great knowledge. I’m always learning from those around me within this group as well as PGMS.
JVE: I know you and your wife just had another grandbaby. Tell us a little about your family.
DB: I have been happily married to the same gal (Kathy) for the past 37 years, we have four great children, Denny, Beverly, Lisa and
Kurt. Raising a family of four surely had some challenges, however, I can only recall the great times we had together when they were
young. They in turn have blessed us with seven grandchildren. Number eight is due in August. I can honestly say, “Life is good and
God is great!”
JVE: Thank you for your time, it’s always a pleasure.
DB: You’re welcome, John and thank you for your time and dedication to PGMS.
23

- Film Competition: Continued from page 18 -
be presented to the finalist’s film receiving the most votes from professionals
who work in the green industry, such as landscape architects, landscape
contractors, irrigation contractors and golf course superintendents. The Green
Industry Award will be presented in partnership with the Questex Media Group,
publishers of leading landscape and building publications including Athletic Turf,
Golfdom and Landscape Management. Industry professionals will cast their votes
on a separate website hosted by Questex.
In addition to the return of Questex Media Group and FilmL.A. as Intelligent Use
of Water Film Competition partners, The Chronicles Group, GOOD magazine
and the Southern Nevada Water Authority have also partnered to support the
competition in 2011.
A representative from each organization will also serve on the competition’s
judging panel, where they will evaluate the submissions based on their ability
to creatively address the issue of responsible water use. The 2011 competition
judges are:
• Doug Bennett, Conservation Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority
• Ben Jervey, Contributing Editor, GOOD Magazine
• Patrick Roberts, Group Publisher, Golfdom and Landscape Management magazines
• Philip Sokoloski, Manager of Communications, FilmL.A.
• Jim Thebaut, Chief Executive Officer, The Chronicles Group, Inc.
All entries to the Intelligent Use of Water Film Competition must be submitted
electronically no later than 11:59 PM (PDT) on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011 for
consideration. More information about the competition and entry requirements
is available at www.IUOWFILM.com. Visit Rain Bird’s Facebook page to share
thoughts and ideas with other filmmakers.
Parks and Grounds Supervisor - Garner Public Works Dept. (Garner, N.C.)
Seeking an organized, quality-focused first-line supervisor responsible for the
planning and daily maintenance of 12 municipal parks and surrounding grounds at six
public buildings.
PGMS Welcomes Our
Newest Members!
Vincent Marrocco
Morris Arboretum -
University of PA
Ashley McLeod
Heritage Landscape
Services, Inc.
Greg Miller
University of
Cincinnati
Mark Moon
University of N.C. -
Chapel Hill
Robert Navolis
Lovett Private School
Archie Nesbitt
George Mason
University
Erik Nilsson
University of MD
Phil Olsen
The College of
Wooster
John I. Owenby
Cabarrus County
Schools
Brian Pennell
City of Miamisburg
Joe Proskine
Ace Tree Movers, Inc.
Paul Rigsbee
University of N.C. -
Chapel Hill
Kevin S. Rubbelke
Minot Park District
Derrynger Nall
Zachary Schultice
Laurel Creek Country
Club
Marty Sillito
Texas A&M University
Timothy O. Spoerl
Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company
Larry B. Sprinkle
Evergreen Enterprises
Landscaping
Jeanine Standard
Proven Winners
Chase M. Straw
University of
Kentucky
Stephen Van Lowe
University of MD
Jim Watcher
The Watchman
Group, Inc.
Michael J. Walsh
Georgia Tech
Joshua Weaver
University of MD
Erin Bolger
Carin Celebuski
Angela Grandstaff
Christoper S. Hipp
Ron Holden
Vincent King
Sonia Mullen
Jeffrey Stortz
PT Laborer - Park Planning & Education/Maint. Unit (Durham, N.C.)
Seeking 16 laborers to perform general maintenance duties, mowing and trimming grass,
and other special assignments for the City of Durham Parks and Recreation Department.
Facilities Manager - Dumbarton House (Washington, D.C.)
Seeks a FT Facilities Manager to serve as the primary maintenance staff person, and
manage the security and maintenance systems of the historic house museum, offices,
and 1.2 acre landscaped grounds.
General Foreperson - College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, Mass.)
Direct, coordinate and participate in activities of assigned subordinates to landscape
and maintain the college grounds. Operate a variety of vehicles and equipment.
Requires degree in horticultural field; 8-10 years grounds experience; Mass. Pesticide
Applicators license; Mass. Medical Card; Mass. Hoisting Engineers License; and
ability to lift 100 lbs (with assistance).
FT Grounds Staff - Bonita Bay East Golf Club (Naples, Fla.)
FT permanent grounds staff. Help maintain clubhouse grounds including trash
removal, weeding, mulching and planting. Prefer previous golf course experience but
can train. Requires ability to work in weather extremes and lift up to 50 lbs. High
school diploma or equivalent and bilingual preferred. Must be able to maintain a tidy
appearance. Benefits include health, dental, uniforms and golf.
For more information on these opportunities, visit www.pgms.org.