OLA Education Series / Plant ID July 15th, 2016 at Davis Tree Farm & Nursery in Valley City, Ohio

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The OLA Scholarship Golf OutingRegistration & Sponsorship Opportunities

PAGES 18 & 19

GrowingConcernThe

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E O H I O L A N D S C A P E A S S O C I A T I O N

J U N E 2 0 1 6

OLA Education Series / Plant ID July 15th, 2016 at Davis Tree Farm & Nursery in Valley City, Ohio

PAGE 7

The OLA Scholarship Golf OutingRegistration & Sponsorship Opportunities

PAGES 18 & 19

A project with that WOW factor results in happy clients who will refer you to friends and family, and this leads to future projects that will build your business for years to come.

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WOW, what a spring it has been so far! Mother Nature has been kind, most of us were able to get an early start on spring projects, and we’re now continuing to fill the pipeline with more work. And while consumer confidence is slightly down – at least according to The Wall Street Journal – all the contractors I speak with say clients are spending, and spending more than in the past, in many cases.

With that being said, we all seem to be as busy as ever, taking advantage of the climate, both natural and economic. And as the hours quickly add up, and the weeks start rolling into months, it’s imperative that we don’t forget to pause and take time out with our families, our teams, and more importantly – ourselves.

Having a proper work/life balance is important, not just for your physical and mental well-being, but it also helps to spur creativity and boost morale. Taking time away from work doesn’t always mean a week-long vacation, especially during the busy season. I remember a few occasions last year, we would bring the crews in early on a Friday and have a cookout at the shop. It was a nice way for everyone to unwind at the end of the week, before leaving to spend time with their

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

BALANCING ACT

BRYAN TAYNOR

“If you can take a weekend off, try not to play catch up on emails, or projects. I know it’s

hard not to … but try to focus on something other than work.”

Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc.

continued on page 6

families for the weekend. It also allowed time for us to build camaraderie amongst the staff. We all get so busy with our individual assignments and responsibilities that we sometimes forget to stop and take time to get to know some of the people we see every day.

If you can take a weekend off, try not to play catch up on emails, or projects. I know it’s hard not to – we all do it from time to time – but try to focus on something other than work. You’ll be amazed at how refreshed you feel come Monday morning.

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

JUNE 2016 WWW.OHIOLANDSCAPERS.ORG

OHIO’S PROFESSIONAL GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

OHIO LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION9240 Broadview RoadBroadview Heights, Ohio 44147Phone: 440.717.0002, or 1.800.335.6521Fax: 440.717.0004Web: www.ohiolandscapers.org andwww.myohiolandscape.com

EDITORRick Doll, Jr.

REGULAR WRITERSMichael J. Donnellan, King Financial, Inc.Jim Funai, LIC, Cuyahoga Community CollegeShelly Funai, Stan Hywet Hall and GardensSandy Munley, Ohio Landscape AssociationBobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, Bobbie’s Green ThumbBryan Taynor, Hidden Creek Landscaping, Inc.

ADVERTISING INFORMATIONSubmission deadline: 10th of the month, prior to the month of publication. For advertising rates, please call 440.717.0002, 1.800.335.6521, or email Rick Doll at rick@ohiolandscapers.org.

DISCLAIMERThe Ohio Landscape Association, its board of directors, staff and the editor of The Growing Concern neither endorse any prodcut(s) or attests to the validity of any statements made about products mentioned in this, past or subsequent issues of this publication. Similarly, the opinions expressed in The Growing Concern are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Landscape Association.

OFFICERSPresidentBryan Taynor President – ElectCathy Serafin, ASLA, RLA Treasurer Marie McConnell

Immediate Past PresidentSteve Moore

DIRECTORSEric Brubeck, ASLAAdam CapiccioniJames FunaiJacob GrimmNathan KowalsickDomenic Lauria

OLA STAFFExecutive DirectorSandy Munley Communications & Events ManagerRick Doll, Jr.

Membership CoordinatorNoreen Schraitle

ON THE COVERLandscape Ohio! Honor Award Winner for Residential Installation, LWB Design, LLC.

FEATURES

3 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Balancing Act

8 PERENNIAL FOCUS Anemone X Hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ Japanese Anemone

12 FOR SAFETY SAKE Safeguard Your Skid Steer Operators

16 PLANT OF THE MONTH Exochorda x macrantha Pearlbush

20 FISCAL FITNESS Real Estate Investment Trusts

24 FEATURE ARTICLE Meaningful Meetings

28 DIRECTIONS Are You Legal?

29 ADVERTISING INDEX

JULY

JULY 10-12, 2016 LEGISLATIVE DAY ON THE HILL This is a three-day experience in Washington, D.C. that educates landscape industry professionals about legislative issues currently affecting our businesses and provides an opportunity to participate directly in the political process by meeting with legislators. For more information contact the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly PLANET) at 1-800-395-2522 or visit landscapeprofessionals.org

JULY 15, 2016 OLA EDUCATION SERIES PLANT I.D.This Plant ID Clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews that will cover the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Zone 6 in Ohio. To Register, contact the OLA at 440-717-0002.

JULY 20, 2016 LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN TEST / WRITTEN ONLY Held on the campus of OSU ATI in Wooster. For more information, contact Jan Elliott or Kim Sayers at the Ohio State ATI Business Training and Educational Services office at 330-287-7511 or 330-287-0100, or visit LandscapeCertifiedOhio.org.

JULY 21, 2016 LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN TEST /FULL TEST Hands-On and Written Test. Held on the campus of OSU ATI in Wooster. For more information, contact Jan Elliott or Kim Sayers at the Ohio State ATI Business Training and Educational Services office at 330-287-7511 or 330-287-0100, or visit LandscapeCertifiedOhio.org.

AUGUST

AUGUST 4, 2016 OLA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC Join us for a fun day of golf, networking, food and liquid refreshments at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station. For more information contact OLA at 1-800-335-6521, or visit OhioLandscapers.org.

AUGUST 9, 2016NGLCO FIELD DAY This year’s field day will be again hosted by Chalet Debonne Vineyards in Madison, Ohio. For more information, contact Annette Howard at 440-241-7969, info@nglco.com, or visit nglco.com.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 19-21, 2016 LANDSCAPES 2016 Formerly known as the Green Industry Conference (GIC), this is a large landscape and lawn care industry educational conference held in Louisville, Kentucky in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO and Hardscapes North America trade shows. For more information contact the National Association of Landscape Professionals (formerly PLANET) at 1-800-395-2522 or visit landscapeprofessionals.org

OCTOBER 19-21, 2016 GIE+EXPO AND HARDSCAPES NORTH AMERICA These two tradeshows are co-located at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky and are held in conjunction with Landscapes 2016. Indoor displays along with a vast outdoor equipment demo area make this a fun show to attend. October 19 is reserved for dealers only. For more information to go to gie-expo.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

UPCOMING OLA MEETINGS, EDUCATION SEMINARS, AND OTHER GREEN INDUSTRY EVENTS

With the 16th Annual OLA Scholarship Golf Classic right around the corner, we are still looking for companies interested in sponsoring the event.

For more information, please see page 19, call the OLA offices at (440)-717-0002, or email Noreen Schraitle at Noreen@ohiolandscapers.org.

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 5

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Simply turning off your phone for a couple hours in the evening while you have dinner with your spouse or friends can do wonders, too. Your spouse will undoubtedly appreciate the undivided attention! This can be particularly hard for me, as I’m always striving to provide the best customer service possible, and in doing so, try to make myself available as much as possible. Technology has made it so easy for us to always be accessible, but this is a perfect example of where boundaries and expectations need to be set.

Another reason why it makes sense to recognize the importance of a reasonable work/life balance is so your team feels appreciated. As an owner, or manager, if you respect that balance – understanding that time away with family is important – it makes it easier to empathize with your labor and how important that time is to them, as well. With the labor market the way it is, a proper work/life balance will be a key selling point to employees and potential recruits.

So, before you or your team suffers from burnout, take a break. Step away and remember the real reason why you work so hard. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and take a little time for yourself. The work will be there when you get back!

continued from page 3

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PLANT ID CLINICMake checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147

Register online, by mail, phone or fax • Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 Website: www.ohiolandscapers.org

Register On Time, Payment Received on, or Before 7/05/16 OLA Members $69 NON Members $99Register Late, Payment Received After 7/05/16 OLA Members $99 NON Members $129

This Plant ID Clinic is a hands-on training opportunity for you and your crews that will cover the basics of Plant ID for plants typically used in Zone 6 in Ohio. Many of the plants that will be covered are on the plant list for the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test, including: perennials, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, as well as trees and shrubs – both evergreen and deciduous.

Those who should attend are plant installation staff, maintenance staff, garden center staff, foreman, and anyone studying to take the Landscape Industry Certified Technician’s Test.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This seminar is hands-on training with live plant material. Attendees will need to bring their own notepad and pen, and will need to dress appropriately for outdoor practical training. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. Register early as class size is limited and will sell out quickly. Register online by going to www.ohiolandscapers.org and clicking on the EDUCATION button.

Cancellations made 8 to 14 days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% cancellation fee. NO refunds will be issued for cancellations less than 7 days prior to the course, no shows, or cancellations on the day of the course. If, for any reason, the course is cancelled, enrollees will be notified, and fees refunded in full.

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July 15, 20168:30 am to 3:00 pm

Davis Tree Farm & NurseryValley City, Ohio

Instructed byWendy Moore

Davis Tree Farm

Bridget ComesPortage Lakes Career Center

Russ Luyster, OCNT Impact Grounds

Maintenance

OLA EDUCATION SERIESOLA EDUCATION SERIES

PLANT I.D.PLANT I.D.

PERENNIAL FOCUS

ANEMONE X HYBRIDA ‘HONORINE JOBERT’JAPANESE ANEMONE

BOBBIE SCHWARTZ, FAPLDBobbie’s Green Thumb

Their habits are very similar, and they feature attractive, large, divided or lobed foliage. All grow 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall, which makes them an excellent background for whatever is planted in front of them. Blooms appear in late August to early September as singles or doubles, and in shades of white and pink, according to the specific cultivar.

The Perennial Plant Association has named Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ as its 2016 Perennial Plant of the Year. I’ve had this single white – 2 to 3 feet – in my garden for years. For those who prefer doubles, there is ‘Whirlwind’, a bit taller at 3 to 4 feet. There are also several pink cultivars ranging in hue from pale pink to deep pink. A.hupehensis

‘September Charm’ (September Charm Anemone) is a single that displays rosy-pink blossoms, which are darker on the outside and silvery-pink on the inside, giving the impression of a bicolor. My experience is that this cultivar grows under almost any circumstances, including a great deal of shade. A.hupehensis ‘Prince Henry’ and Anemone x hybrida ‘Pamina’ are virtually indistinguishable. Both are deep pink doubles that grow two and a half feet high.

If you want pale pink, try the double Anemone x hybrida ‘Party Dress’ or the single Anemone x hybrida ‘Queen Charlotte.’ Both will grow 3 feet tall.

The queen of the fall shade garden is Anemone x hybrida (Hybrid Anemone, zone 3) and its related species, A.vitifolia ‘Robustissima’ (Grapeleaf Anemone) and A.hupehensis var. japonica (Japanese Anemone). There is a great deal of confusion about which ones are which, but for our purposes, it is irrelevant since they now seem to all be consolidated into Anemone x hybrida.

continued on page 11

2016 Perennial Plant of the Year, Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert.’

8 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 8

If you love this perennial but don’t have space for tall, spreading ones, try one of the cultivars in the Pretty Lady Series. They only grow 12 to 16 inches tall and tend not to be as rambunctious. ‘Emily’ has double, light pink flowers; ‘Julia’ has double, vivid pink flowers; and ‘Diana’ has single, lavender, pink flowers.

These Anemones are very adaptable. I’ve grown them in full sun, part sun, part shade and a lot of shade. As long as they get at least 3 hours of direct sun or filtered light all day, they will thrive. They are not picky about soil either. They do need some moisture on a regular basis; otherwise, the leaves shrivel. Do not plant them in water-logged soils. Give Japanese Anemones plenty of space; they are vigorous, but easy to dig if they spread further than you would like.

In my shady side garden, ‘Honorine Jobert’ charmingly rambles with Tricyrtis hirta (Japanese Toad Lily). In my front sun garden, I’ve used ‘September Charm’ with Asclepias

incarnata ‘Cinderella’ which blooms a month before. In my back sun garden, ‘September Charm’ serves as a background for Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’ and Rudbeckia ‘Pot of Gold.’

Happily, this long blooming, fall perennial is also deer resistant so I’m sure you can find a place in your landscape for it.

Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb in Shaker Hts., Ohio, is a landscape designer, consultant, freelance writer, and lecturer whose specialties are perennial gardens and fourseason landscapes.

She currently serves as chair of the ONLA Plant Selection Committee. She can be reached at (216) 752-9449.

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FOR SAFETY SAKE

SAFEGUARD YOUR SKID STEER OPERATORS

A skid steers’ size and versatility make them one of the most common pieces of equipment on construction sites, so productivity is vital. Failing to follow specific safety practices can lead not only to reduced efficiency, but also to serious personal injury and property damage.

OPERATE WITH CAUTIONThe nature of any construction site brings with it unique skid steer safety concerns. Utilizing manufacturers’ machine safeguards is one aspect of safe skid steer operation. However, many safety measures fall onto operators and how they use and service the machines.

The most common safety concerns include operating in congested areas and areas with variable stability.

“Know what’s around you when operating a skid steer,” says Zupancic. “Crowded construction sites are full of objects and people. Operating a skid steer while raising and lowering a bucket, moving and turning, an operator needs to understand and be aware of their surroundings.”

STABILITY ON SLOPESTo operate safely around a jobsite, skid steers need to be stable. As with any self-propelled machine, a skid steer is most stable when its center of gravity is kept within its base of stability. To avoid tipping on steep terrain, while hauling unbalanced loads and making abrupt turns, it’s important to understand the grade, ground and site conditions, as well as the abilities of the machine.

“There is a direct correlation between safety and productivity with regard to skid steer loaders on a construction site,” explains Shawn Warkenthien, product safety manager, Bobcat Company. “Safety-trained skid steer operators are not only better operators from a safety perspective, but they also operate more efficiently and achieve the best performance from their machines,” he says.

continued on page 15

12 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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continued from page 12“To reduce potential risks when operating uphill, downhill or across a slope, operators should always keep their bucket as low as possible when traveling on any surface,” says Jamie Wright, product manager, Terex Construction. “If steep angles must be traversed, operators should travel up and down the slope directly; never across it at an angle. Also, speed and weight will have an effect on the machine’s stability when crossing these types of terrain so always travel at the slowest possible speed, and limit the load size when negotiating slopes and hills.”

“Operators should follow the SAE standard for measuring the rated operating capacity of their skid steer,” notes Zupancic. Traditionally, a skid steer’s rated operating capacity is 50 percent of its tipping load. Regarding attachments, operators should closely consider the rated operating capacity of the skid steer plus the attachment.

“There is no mechanism to prohibit a skid steer’s tires from coming off the ground,” Zupancic stresses. “It’s up to the operator to understand the rated operating capacity. Also, as operators move up and down the slopes, they should always keep the heavy end of the loader pointed uphill. With no load in the bucket, the heavy end is the rear. With a loaded bucket, the front is heavy end.”

ATTACHMENT SAFETYMany attachments can be used on skid steer loaders to make them very versatile. However, there can be a danger associated with that versatility.

“First, only use attachments that are approved by the manufacturer for use with your skid steer loader, and follow any additional warnings and instructions pertaining to the specific attachment,” says Warkenthien. In many cases, a manufacturer provides an attachment manual separate from the skid steer manual.

Also choose the appropriate attachment for the job. “Attachments are application specific,” notes O’Brien, “and some applications [such as demolition] require specific attachments and skid steer options to safely perform the job.” A scrap grapple used to pick up demolition debris, for example, can allow debris to fall back on the machine. Guarding should be considered to keep material out of the cab. Most manufacturers offer enclosure kits for specific applications.

“Make sure the attachment is properly connected to the coupler of the skid steer loader before operating,” Warkenthien adds. “Check that the skid steer’s coupler pins or wedges are fully engaged into the attachment frame.”

“Many attachments are hydraulically powered,” notes O’Brien. “If they have a hydraulic coupler, the operator has to get out of the cab to install the attachment.” Case provides Connect Under Pressure (CUP) manifolds that release pressure into the standard case drain as auxiliary hydraulic lines are plugged in. This approach eliminates the need for any tools in connecting and disconnecting hydraulic lines.

“The most important aspect of attachment safety is matching the attachment to the skid steer’s lift capabilities,” says Wright. “You never want to exceed the rated operating capacity, or flow capacities, of the loader. Overloading the operating capacity or hydraulic rates can cause the unit to tip forward or cause hydraulic components to fail.”

MAINTENANCE MUSTSA skid steer is basically a power source which operates a front-end loader. A common safety concern arises with raised lift arms moving while performing maintenance. Most manufacturers’ skid steer loaders come equipped with a lift-arm support designed to prevent the arms from falling. If the lift arms need to be raised for service or maintenance, an operator should always support the lift arms per the manufacturer’s instructions, and never walk under raised lift arms unless they are properly supported.

Also, many skid steer loaders, including Terex models, are designed with a tilt-up cab for easy access to the machine’s critical components. For safety purposes, this feature is also equipped with a lock-out mechanism, which should be engaged during maintenance.

As an added safety feature, John Deere skid steers include a lockout system that can be engaged from inside the cab. “If the arms need to be in the raised position, the operator can lock it out from inside the cab, then get out safely underneath the loader arms,” says Zupancic.

To reduce the chance for burns, maintenance should be performed once the machine has cooled down completely; preferably at the start of a work shift.

Warkenthien summarizes safe skid-steer maintenance: “To maximize safety when servicing a skid steer, fully lower the lift arms or engage the approved lift arm support device(s). If lift arms need to be raised, make sure to engage the proper lift arm support device provided by manufacturer. Before servicing a skid steer, always stop the engine, release all hydraulic pressure and allow hot parts to cool.”

Reprint rights granted by Greg Udelhofen, VP of Content, Equipment Today and ForConstructionPros.com.

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 15

PLANT OF THE MONTH

EXOCHORDA X MACRANTHAPEARLBUSH

JIM FUNAI, LICCuyahoga Community College

A newer addition to our home arboretum, and one that we have noticed jumping out in many of our May garden travels, we have a plant that could push against the heavy use of Azaleas in our industry. This isn’t to say that Azaleas don’t have a place in the garden – they are surely a mainstay – but many times we force them into locations. Honestly, how many times have you put an Azalea in a location where it just shouldn’t be? Or, what may be a better question is, “Have you had many Azaleas die on your jobsites?” If the answer the second question is “Yes,” then you likely should count that towards your answer to the first question. While it’s true that Azaleas are tough plants, they really do need specific conditions to thrive, especially as it pertains to the soil.

Blooming around the same time as Azalea is our plant of the month, Exochorda x macrantha. This much lesser known plant

deserves your attention for its beautiful blooms of 6 to 10 flowers in long racemes of pure, bright white. The common name, Pearlbush, perfectly describes its flower buds, which appear as little, white pearls in slightly, pendulous clusters in early May, opening to 1.5 inch, five-petal blooms, much like its cousins in the family Roseaceae.

Where Pearlbush excels is in its adaptability to planting conditions. Approaching Spirea-like toughness, this plant can tolerate a wide range of soil, from fairly dry to somewhat wet, but prefers good drainage. And while it prefers a slightly acidic soil, it can tolerate closer to a pH of 7.0.

Lighting conditions are more adaptable than that of Azaleas as well, ranging from full-blasting sun to a fair amount of shade,

Most months, the two of us are ahead of the game in predicting which plant will be of interest by the time this article makes it into your hands. This time around, we couldn’t help but write about a plant which has already bloomed, because if we waited until next year – honestly – we’d most likely forget!

SHELLEY FUNAI, LICStan Hywet Hall and Gardens

Perfectly described, Pearlbush’s flower buds appear as little, white pearls in pendulous clusters.

16 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

PLANT OF THE MONTH

without impacting the bloom performance. Odds are, you probably know what happens when you try to force an Azalea into all of these different conditions!

Perhaps the biggest drawback we can offer for Pearlbush is the lack of color options. The plant is a pure white, and that is all it offers. With many clients certainly being drawn to the pinks, lavenders, and purple hues of Azalea, making the substitution can be a difficult sell.

For best impact, we suggest embracing the bright, white flowers and planting these in masses along the middle to front of the shrub border. On the other hand, they would also make a strong backbone to a 50 mph bed. We find the most commonly available cultivar is ‘The Bride,’ which has arching branches in the 3 foot to 6 foot tall range, spreading a bit wider than it is tall. In general, it seems to us that on drier soil the height stays lower, while on a moister, well-drained soil, it reaches into the taller part of its range.

Fruits are about as ornamental as Spirea, showing as little, dried, brown capsules. It is likely that most people wouldn’t even notice the fruits, but they can be removed for the most discerning of them, without any harm to the plant. In truth, this shrub almost

does better if you ignore it. If you plant this in the proper location where it can reach mature height, it will keep producing a strong, spring flower show, without needing periodic or annual cutbacks, like some of our other flowering shrubs.

A strange trait of this member of Roseaceae is a surprising lack of insect or disease issues. Even when planted in a tougher site, this plant just keeps performing. Think of how many times you wished you had another plant that could offer such low maintenance. And used as part of a succession of blooming, this shrub will add a great, mid-May bloom, fading just as the late-May to early-June onset of flowers occurs in the garden. Consider adding this great garden gem to your collection of low maintenance plants and your client will be thrilled!

Jim Funai is full-time faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, a NALP accredited associate of applied science in hoticulture degree program offering many paths to higher education in the green industry. He is pursuing a PhD in Landscape Engineering and Forestry and is a Licensed Arborist. Shelley Funai is Grounds Manager at Stan Hywett Hall and Gardens in Akron, Ohio, which offers a historic estate designed by Warren H. Manning and a beautiful manor house museum. She is Landscape Industry Certified in Ornamental Plant Care. Both are graduates of The Ohio State University. Contact Jim and Shelley via email at hortsquad@gmail.com.

Pearlbush in full bloom, mid-May thru early-June.

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 17

Firm _______________________________________________________ Contact ____________________________________________Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________________City ________________________________________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _______________Phone (______)____________________ Fax (______)____________________ Email ___________________________________________

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Make checks payable and send to: Ohio Landscape Association, 9240 Broadview Rd, Broadview Hts., OH 44147Register online, by phone, mail, or fax: Phone 440-717-0002 or 1-800-335-6521 • Fax 440-717-0004 • www.ohiolandscapers.org

Register Today! ... On or Before July 11 – $95 per personAfter July 11 – $105 per person Number of Golfers ____ X $ ___ = $ ______

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Sponsorship OpportunitiesWe are excited to be holding our 16th annual golf outing at Mallard Creek Golf Club on August 4, 2016. But, we need your help to make it a success! This event helps to generate funding for our scholarship program, targeting qualified students interested in a vocation within the green industry. Call us to find out more about sponsorship features and benefits.

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REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS

However, the financial crisis and resulting market crash in 2008 put a big dent in that kind of thinking. Domestic REITs lost an average of 39.6% in 2008, and globally, REITs fell a whopping 46.4% that same year, roughly tracking the losses in other equities. They also subsequently rebounded much as stocks did, with domestic REITs gaining 31.3% in 2009, and another 27.1% in 2010. Indeed, some analysts have questioned whether REITs are as ‘alternative’ or ‘non-correlating’ as they had been assumed to be, at least, considered a class.

That said, there is great diversity within REITs, with holdings ranging from everything from office towers, apartment

buildings and shopping malls, to hospitals and biotech research labs, industrial buildings and temporary storage facilities, or even timberlands. And depending upon the particular REIT, the drivers of growth and income generation can be quite at odds with what is driving the general equities markets.

Take apartment houses, for example. While the financial crisis and the ensuing leap in joblessness was pulling the rug out from under home prices – with record numbers of foreclosures, housing developments stopped in their tracks, and mortgages almost impossible to obtain – the apartment sector was booming.

Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, are publicly traded companies that invest in real estate and earn money from the income on those properties. Yet, unlike the rest of the companies in the equities markets, REITs – by law – are required to pass through some 90% of their profits to shareholders as dividends. This makes them, at least in terms of yield, similar to bonds. Investors have turned to REITS both for their yield and because, historically, they have not shown much correlation to the equities markets, making them good alternative investments.

MICHAEL J. DONNELLANKing Financial, Inc.

FISCAL F ITNESS

continued on page 23

20 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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22 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

As the economy starts to show signs of recovery, and companies start to hire, demand for office space improves. That puts upward pressure on rents and office REIT income improves, and with that, dividends. An improving economy, and more jobs, also boosts malls, as more people start shopping again.

Hotels offer a different relationship to the broader economic picture. As the economic outlook weakens people start canceling vacation plans, and businesses reconsidering whether they have to travel for in-person meetings when they could talk on the phone, and hotels slump. Conversely, when the economy is booming, more people travel and spend money in hotels.

Another way to invest in real estate is through healthcare REITs, which invest in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare related properties. Most are less cyclical and have steady streams of dividends.

In September of this year, Real Estate is going to be included as a new sector in the Global Industry Classification System and MSCI and S&P Dow Jones indices will also implement the change. They will begin recognizing Real Estate as its 11th standalone sector comprised of Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts and Real Estate Management & Development companies. The tremendous growth and popularity of publicly traded real estate as a standalone asset class, has prompted this change. Real Estate is currently a sub-sector in the Financial sector.

Here is a list of the 10 current sectors that Real Estate will be joining. Many investors use these to help diversify their assets.

- Energy - Materials - Industrials - Consumer Discretionary - Consumer Staples - Healthcare - Financials - Information Technology - Telecommunication Services - Utilities

Talk to your financial and tax advisors to see if real estate should be a portion of your portfolio.

Michael J. Donnellan is President of King Financial, Inc., with offices in Strongsville and the M3 Wealth Management office in North Royalton, Ohio specializing in stock selection and retirement planning. Contact him with questions or comments. Phone:(440) 652-6370 Email: donnellan@m3wealthmanagement.com

Securities and advisory services offered through L.M. Kohn & CompanyRegistered Broker/Dealer Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB10151 Carver Rd. Suite 100 – Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 Phone:(800) 478-0788

cont inued f rom page 20

FISCAL F ITNESS

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 23

MEANINGFUL MEETINGS

It is the job of the leader of any meeting to provide an atmosphere where everyone leaves energized and focused, regardless of the topics discussed. When a meeting is properly prepared and facilitated, even the most serious discussions can be appreciated and built upon sending participants away feeling like they were part of a positive gathering.

No team will benefit from any one accomplishment more than learning to energize their meetings and training sessions, making

each meaningful and a worthwhile investment of everyone’s time. Following are many thoughts on meetings. Whether it is a management team, a professional or community organization or even a dinner conversation with the family, it should be your goal to make the most of that meeting. How can you make sure each person gets up and leaves energized and feeling closer to everyone they just met with? How can you communicate in any “meeting” in a way that builds relationships and gets positive results? The challenge is on . . . Make your meetings count!

“Schedule a meeting!” Do those three words make you cringe, gripe or turn and run the other way? Unfortunately, all of us have participated in lots of meetings that have abused or misused our time, making one of the most critical elements of group cohesiveness and dynamics become a dreaded must. The fact is that effective meetings are the lifeblood of any thriving organization, providing the opportunity to communicate and move forward as a team.

FEATURE ARTICLE

continued on page 26

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24 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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REASONS FOR HAVING A MEETINGThere are generally three main reasons that we meet:

1. Share Information – This should be the main focus of the meeting. As the facilitator, realize that retention is limited. Remind everyone that we have a tendency to overload individuals with information that they cannot act upon and that is not the purpose of the meeting. Although new information is important, it should only have 25% of the emphasis.

2. Build Morale – Leaders need to create a feeling in the group that lifts the spirits. Look for opportunities for recognition, rewards, surprises, fun, and stimulating conversations. Make deposits into the “Emotional Bank Accounts” of the group and take advantage of the dynamics that result. Even in an environment that needs improvement, 25% of time should be spent in morale building.

3. Change Behavior or Problem Solving – Every meeting should insure that certain performance objectives are discussed and met. In the heart of the meeting you should attack group performance, planning and problem solving. One goal might be to change or direct the behavior of meeting participants. Activities should be utilized that get the participants walking out of the meeting doing something different than they had done previously.

PREPARING FOR THE MEETINGBelow are some tips to help you prepare for a meeting.

• If possible, meeting length should be kept to no longer than one hour. Remember that participants have attention focused outside the meeting confines and their energy should remain channeled. If you stretch the length of your meeting time, you risk losing their attention and dilute the power of your focused objectives for that particular meeting.

• Seek a meeting time and location to maximize effectiveness. The meeting environment needs to be created to maximize group dynamics. Prepare the room in advance to demonstrate importance.

• Why is imperative to have a pre-printed agenda? 1. Clear, set objectives. 2. Tightly managed timelines. 3. Give participants ability to prepare. 4. Provide assignments to balance workload.

BUILD PARTICIPATIONThe leader has the responsibility of facilitating participation in each meeting. This should be done early in the meeting by taking part in an activity that encourages interaction. A fluid icebreaker that gives each individual a chance to get an early win is an excellent way to kick off a meeting. The meeting atmosphere must model behaviors that recognize and value involvement. Group problem solving is an excellent way to foster communication.

PUTTING FUN IN THE MEETINGEach meeting should provide an environment that makes the participants want to attend. The responsibility for putting fun in the meeting should be shared by the group. Keys to making the meeting fun are:

• Ensure that the purpose of the meeting is spelled out to the participants.

• Provide a warm welcome to each participant.• Utilize outside sources to present to the group.• Create a magic moment in each meeting (recognition,

humor, reward, learning opportunity). Do something that is fun, energizing, and out of the ordinary in every meeting. It doesn’t have to be much, but participants will anticipate the next meeting according to what they experienced in the last!

• RECOGNIZE, RECOGNIZE, RECOGNIZE! Provide opportunities for participants to reinforce each other. Have participants signal the individuals that went above the call of duty to present awards or affirm accomplishments.

• PROVIDE FOOD WHENEVER POSSIBLE. People love to eat and it always adds fun to a meeting environment. LET THEM EAT THEIR CAKE!

• End with a fond farewell, focused on morale building.

It is crucial that you leave the individuals smiling when your meeting concludes. If at least 25% of your meeting built morale, chances are people will be smiling when they leave. Your meeting tone can present a sense of purpose and can be very serious, but realize that if the participants leave feeling down, that will be the one thing they’ll remember about the meeting. Provide an opportunity to conclude the meeting with a lift.

FEATURE ARTICLE

cont inued f rom page 24

26 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

HELPING THE MEETING STAY THE COURSEIn each meeting it is crucial to be able to lead the pace of the meeting to accomplish objectives.

• Ensure that a pre-printed agenda is distributed so expectations are established.

• Always start meetings on time to demonstrate the importance of everyone’s time.

• Strive to stick to the format of the agenda. • Talkative participant management is crucial. They have to

feel that they are not being controlled, so you may want to call on less talkative individuals and steer conversations to balance participation. Thank each individual for contributions and call upon individuals to engage the introvert.

• Individuals that have personal problems should not monopolize meeting time; again, thank them for their contributions and tell them that their issue does not impact the group and you would be happy to put time aside right after the meeting to discuss their issue.

• Create an open dialogue to insure you get to the heart of the issues.

Whether it is in a business, community setting or a personal family summit, it’s good to remember the definition of the word meeting when you are about to participate in one. A meeting according to Webster is “a coming together,” and all of us know that coming together is critical to staying together, growing together and succeeding together. The next time you have the chance to plan or take part in a meeting, do your best to make it great and be glad you can come together and communicate about the future!

If you want to learn more about the power of PEOPLE SOLUTIONS THAT DRIVE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE, contact: JP Horizons Inc., 7245 Mildon Drive, Painesville, OH 44077, Phone: (440) 352-8211, Fax: (440) 352-8225, E-mail: jim@jphorizons.com, Website: www.jphorizons.com

A meeting is “a coming together,” and all of us know that coming

together is critical to staying together, growing together and

succeeding together.

The Growing Concern x June 2016 x 27

ARE YOU LEGAL?

If you are thinking, “I am not a nursery, I don’t need a Nursery Dealer’s License,” you may be wrong. If you sell plant material as part of the installation of a landscape, you are required to have a Nursery Dealer’s License from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Whether you purchase your plants from a wholesale nursery, local garden center, or even a big box store, you must be licensed to resell those plants.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture safeguards our state’s plant material. Growers have a different licensure and undergo periodic inspections to be sure their plant material is healthy before it is sold locally, or shipped out of state. Other states do the same thing. This helps to stop, or at least slow down, the spread of pests and diseases. The fee for licensing of growers and sellers helps to fund this protection. The license is purchased through the Ohio Department of Agriculture and costs $125 per calendar year. The application is a very easy, one page document. The URL is a little long so just Google ‘Ohio Nursery Dealer’s License,’ where you will find complete information.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is also the licensing body for Commercial Applicator’s Licenses and Pesticide Business Licenses. Again, you may say, “I don’t apply pesticide,” but if you use a product that contains an herbicide (RoundUp®), a pesticide (GrubEx®), or pre-emergent for hire, then you need to be licensed. Your company must hold a Business License and have an Licensed Applicator(s) to apply or supervise the application of these products. It does not matter where you purchase the chemicals, if they are granular or liquid, if they

are organic, or if the homeowner purchases them; you must be licensed to apply these chemicals for hire.

This licensing is a little more complex. To get an Applicator’s License, you have to pass a test. And to keep it, you have to complete continuing education. This is important for public safety. The ODA wants to be sure applicators understand the products they are using.

To hold a Pesticide Business License, you need to have the required insurance coverage. Recently, the ODA has clarified the coverage that it requires. Matt Beal, Chief of the ODA’s Division of Plant Health recently sent out letters to licensed businesses that said, “This clarification was made due to the fact that ODA became aware that pesticide businesses had exclusions in their commercial general liability policies which excluded coverage for the property in which the business was applying pesticides. The clarification was the result of many meetings with pesticide application associations, insurance associations and many insurance companies.”

The revised rule in Ohio Administrative Code reads, “Every pesticide business shall have in force a commercial general liability insurance policy and, either a separate professional liability insurance policy or an endorsement covering the properties under the care, custody, and control of the pesticide application business as it relates to the application of pesticides, including but not limited to the damage to the actual properties the pesticide business is treating or working on . . .”

SANDY MUNLEYExecutive Director

The Ohio Landscape Association

DIRECTIONS

continued on page 30

couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a long time member. He had received correspondence from the Ohio Department of Agriculture about his need to get a Nursery Dealer’s License. He contacted me because he

was shocked that after being in business for fifteen years, he had never heard of a Nursery Dealer’s License, and he wanted to be sure he really did need it. If he was unaware, I imagine that we may have other members who are unaware, as well.

A

28 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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0715 Boyas HALF .indd 1 6/4/2015 6:02:54 PM

DIRECTIONS

This means that your actual work must be covered. For example, your employee was supposed to use a selective broadleaf herbicide on a property, but accidentally used the wrong product and killed an entire lawn. This new insurance would cover that error as faulty workmanship.

This new insurance does not replace the coverage that you have always needed for your Pesticide Business License, it is IN ADDITION to that coverage. Many insurance companies do not offer coverage for faulty workmanship, but it is available. If you need assistance finding an insurance provider that can help you with this, please give me call at 440-717-0002, or send me an email: sandy@ohiolandscapers.org.

The ODA really is our friend and does a darn good job when you consider the budget restraints it operates under. Their goal is to protect the public and our plants. Let’s be sure we are all doing our part to follow the law and help them meet that goal.

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30 x Official Publication of The Ohio Landscape Association

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NAGEMENT CLIN

IC

SAVE THE DATEST. MICHAEL’S WOODSIDE, 5025 EAST MILL ROAD, BROADVIEW HTS., OHIO 44147

9240 Broadview Road

Broadview Hts., OH 44147-2517

06/16