Landscape Architect Articles

LASN News April 198604-01-86 | News

An old nursery tries a new approach

The CLASS Fund meeting at Hines had over 100 attendees.

For years Landscape Architects have been going out to the wholesale tree nurseries to tag trees for their projects. Each tree is carefully selected and tagged as to its precide destination. Many times a certain limb is tagged north, south, east, or west to gain the ultimate effect. This is a time consuming process but when the price of a tree runs in the thousands of dollars, one can not be too careful in his or her selection. But what about the shrubs and smaller container trees?

In most cases the Landscape Architect will specify the variety and quantity of shrubs and pretty much leave the selection up to the landscape contractor. “We’re trying to change all that,” offered Clare Pinder, head of Landscape Architectural Sales at Hines Wholesale Nursery, El Toro, California.

“At Hines,” offered the New Zealand native, “the management has made a commitment to offer the same kind of service to the Landscape Architects that the wholesale tree nurseries are offering. We work with the L.A.’s in selecting plant material that will work in their project. We also take them out and show them new varieties or alternative plant material that might produce the desired effect.”

A division of Weyerhauser, Hines has 400 acres in El Toro, California, 200 acres in Vacaville, California and 200 acres in Houston, Texas. They also have access to Weyerhauser?EUR??,,????'???s tissue culture facility in Florida. According to Pinder, “We are now able to use tissue culture instead of the normal division method to propagate plant material. With tissue culture all the plants are genetically identical. This is especially helpful in our contract growing program.” It is also useful in introducing new varieties.

Clare Pinder stands by Hines?EUR??,,????'??? outside display garden

“When we decide to grow a new variety. by using tissue culture, we can take the most genetically sound plant and duplicate it as many times as we wish. We will soon introduce a new Day Lilly, Landscape Supreme Hemerocallis that was bred in four colors, will grow up to 18 inches tall, and will be a profuse bloomer. They will all be genetically the same.”

Hines is also increasing their support of the Landscape Architectural Profession. They recently hosted a CLASS Fund meeting that boasted over 100 attendees. The food and drinks were all imported from New Zealand. The event raised over $2,000 for the CLASS Fund and provided all with a uniquely enjoyable afternoon.

“We are really trying to listen to the Landscape Architects and meet their needs,” continued Pinder.” The management has dedicated themselves to meet the needs of the professional marketplace and... service is the key. I am constantly going out in the field with the Landscape Architect to tag specific lots or to showcase new varieties. We’ll even take the time to load a delivery so that all the plant material comes off the truck in the right order at the right place.”

In all it appears that Hines is making an effort to service the Landscape Architecture Profession. The Landscape Architect and Specifier News thinks that this deserves some recognition. More companies should recognize that Landscape Architecture is a profession in its own right. Good job Hines!

ASLA San Diego Donates Trees for Arbor Day

A $1,000 donation of trees was given by the San Diego Chapter of ASLA to San Diego’s “Landscape Beautification Project” in honor of Arbor Day, March 7. Frank Kawasaki, president, and Steve Estrada, visibility chairman, made the presentation (which also was the first private sector donation to this project) to City Councilman William Jones.

Urban Horticulture Offers Japanese Landscape Design Course

The Washington Center for Urban Horticulture is offering an introduction to Japanese Garden design course with emphasis on plants and symbolism. This three-day course includes lectures and a walk-through tour of a Japanese garden. The instructor is David Barnhill, a horticulturist, student of Japanese culture and former resident of Japan. Dates are Tuesday, April 8, Thursday, April 10, 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, 9 to 11 a.m. There is a $25 fee.

CECA Issues Water Policy Alert

The California Landscape Contractors Association has alerted its members to observe local water districts as they prepare to develop water conservation guidelines. Although all water districts in California, are mandated by law to establish water emergency guidelines for the next water shortage, often these districts will not consider the landscape industry if left unwatched.

“The water districts welcome our input and advice,” said Efraim Donitz, CLCA’s Water Management chairman who advised the giant Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in developing its policy. “Without our participation,” he said, “DWP policies would have been disastrous for our industry.” Water districts have no intention to hurt the industry but do not consider all the ramifications when settling emergency policies, according to Donitz. He advises members to contact the water districts in their areas and request two copies of their water conservation guidelines. Send one copy to him or his co-chairman Ronald Allison in Sacramento and the other copy to a local CLCA chapter for review. Contact Donitz at P.O. Box 3247, North Hollywood, CA 91609; (818) 766-3345 or Allison at 3837 Pasadena Ave., Sacramento, CA 95821; j (916) 971-0272.

Remember When

In the early days, I mean a long time ago, before concrete and asphalt were used in this industry (and before there was even an industry), several things were used for surfacing such as rock, stone, wood, hard “dirts” etc. We’ve come a long way since then. Of course we still use all these same surfacing from time to time, but its mostly for aesthetics.

We now have numerous methods of texturing concrete such as Bomanite stamping, artificial stone by several companies, tiles to beautify a landscape and in an emergency we even use grass.

Because of the numerous pavings available, we have hundreds of creative names for pavers and paving processes. Now let’s really think about pavers and maybe even research in some of our back issues and answer our question of the month:

Name as many bricks of stone surfaces called by people’s names. If you’re having trouble, we accept names of cities, states and countries. Send answers to Bob Stover, P.O. Box 1654, Costa Mesa, CA 92628.

On the Move

S&F Publishing, publisher of The Landscape Architect and Specifier News, thanks to your support and dedicated readership, has grown and to compensate has moved to a bigger and better office in Santa Ana, California. The new address is 1580 E. Edinger Ave., Ste. L, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Our new phone number is (714) 953-6763.

UC Irvine: Award Winning Extension

Outstanding extension landscape education programs have become part of the University of California, Irvine’s standard curriculum. At the recent 1985 ASLA Convention, it was honored as the recipient of the “Extension Landscape Architect Award,” an annual; recognition from the association to landgrant universities.

This coming quarter promises to be no different as registrations begin for extension courses in xeriscape and graphic design.

For the resource-minded professional, “Introduction to Xeriscape: Dry Climate Landscaping,” is a five-week course surveying xeriscape landscape techniques emphasizing water conservation. Topics include proper use of drought tolerant plants, turf grasses, low gallonage irrigation systems and future water management techniques for Southern California. Classes begin May 21 on Wednesdays, 7 to 10 p.m. through June 25. “Drip Irrigation Design” will study the latest concepts in the design, installation and maintenance of drip and low gallonage systems culminating in layout drawings and specifications by students. “Drought Tolerant Plants I” will look at dry climate trees, shrubs, ground covers | and vines suitable for the Southern California area.

Although the complete graphic design program may have courses, which would not apply to the landscape architect, individuals may sign up on a course-by-course basis with consent of instructor. “Environmental Graphics,” being offered this spring, will study how to communicate a sense of mood, give directions and/or visually alter architectural space through the use of color, letterforms and symbols. Topics include architectural signage and packaging and exhibition design. Classes meet April 9 through June 11 on Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m.

For more information about either program and other classes offered, call 714/856-5414.

Warren’s Turf Nursery Kicks Off Conference

Dr. Hank Wilkinson, from the University of Illinois and a member of the Warren?EUR??,,????'???s Turf Advisory Board, ponders an audience question during a presentation at the company?EUR??,,????'???s recent Kick-Off Conference.

Warren’s Turf Nursery, Inc., a national supplier of turfgrass sod and related turfgrass products, recently held its annual kick-off conference in Napa, California. Key members of Warren’s field management team from across the U.S. attended technical and educational sessions highlighted by the Warren’s Technical Advisory Board round table. This discussion, led by board members Dr. Hank Wilkinson, University of Illinois, Dr. Dick Duble, Texas A&M University, and Dr. Jack Butler, Colorado State University, covered several topics including efficient irrigation, and how to prevent summer fungus diseases.

ASLA Awaits Reply on Adopted Position

The American Society of Landscape Architects’ Board of Trustees has formerly issued a position statement opposing the policy taken by the American Institute of Architects regarding the qualifications of a landscape architect. The ASLA awaits a reply “any time now” from the AIA, according to an association source. As published in a recent California Council of Landscape Architects newsletter, the ASLA based its opposition on the following:

The magnitude and complexity of problems inherent in environmental planning and design require the continued collaboration among design professionals who, through education, training, experience, testing and licensure, are qualified to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
The ASLA accredits 55 degree granting programs in major colleges and universities which provide extensive education and training essential to prepare landscape architects for professional service.
Landscape architects are educated and trained in the arts and sciences with particular emphasis on understanding natural systems, natural resources and land use planning which fulfill a distinct role and responsibility in the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
The necessity for landscape and architectural registration has been recognized since 1953, adopted in 39 states and validated through the judicial process.
There has been a long-standing history for support of landscape architectural licensure by chapters of the American Institute of Architects.
Licensing laws for landscape architects assure a standard of competency necessary for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare; and there is no evidence that landscape architectural licensing laws in any way restrict or inhibit the practice of architecture.

CCLA Seeks Allies Against Prop. 51

The tort reform or “deep pocket” initiative has gained enough support to qualify it for the June California ballot. If passed, Proposition 15 would overturn the present “joint and several liability” rule which requires persons or firms, only marginally at fault in a personal injury case, to pay a total court judgment. Presently, if those primarily at fault have no assets or insurance, the lesser “at-fault” defendants are made responsible for the whole award

The initiative provides that an individual defendant would be required to pay monetary losses, but this would be on a proportionate share for “pain and suffering” basis.

The California Council of Landscape Architects asks for support in two ways. First, it asks all industry members to contribute financially to the initiative. All contributions may be sent to Tax Payers for Fair Responsibility, Neilson, Hodgson, Parrinello, Meuller, 1030 15th St., Ste. 250, Sacramento, CA 95814, ATTN: John Hodgson.

Secondly, the CCLA asks professionals industry-wide to encourage others to support the proposition on the June ballot.