Landscape Contractors and arborists can combine to make a great team. You know what a Landscape Contractor is ?EUR??,,????'??? you are one! The Associated Landscape Contractors of America says its members are a unique blend of landscape maintenance, installation, and design/build contractors and interior landscape firms. But, what is an arborist? Arborists are just as diverse. While some may have college degrees in horticulture, urban forestry, or arboriculture, most are schooled with on-the-job training. Yes, some arborists climb and prune. Others work in municipal planning departments, still others in vegetation management with utility companies, and a few in arboreta. Some of us limit our practice to consulting ?EUR??,,????'??? which can also mean extremely varied assignments, including: pest and disease diagnosis, hazard tree assessment, property development advice regarding trees on construction sites, tree appraisal, assistance to tree owners and their attorneys in legal settings, training and education from crews to classrooms. And, some arborists are also Landscape Contractors! Bottom Line ?EUR??,,????'??? Communication Torrey Young, a Landscape Contractor and Arborist, says that although our two disciplines have basic horticulture for a starting point, after the basics there is too much separation. For example, arborists know a lot about trees from leaves to roots, but are sorely lacking in specific knowledge about irrigation. Arborists need to learn more about that. Landscape Contractors know a lot about turf, shrub, and irrigation installation, but too often do not realize the impact of those on trees and their roots. The arborist community not only has field knowledge but also, and maybe more importantly, research data and educational information that can be shared. Landscape Contractors have information to share, too. But as an arborist who is short on reading time, I do not subscribe to many landscape magazines ?EUR??,,????'??? well, okay, only one. The best way I have found to learn what you have to offer is to enroll in college courses, but that is difficult when I am already short on reading time. One way I learn is to talk with other professionals on job sites, at trade shows, and during conferences or seminars. So let?EUR??,,????'???s help each other out ?EUR??,,????'??? start a conversation! Join in at community Arbor Day celebrations and neighborhood tree planting projects! Most markets are not so saturated that competition is an overwhelming factor. Let?EUR??,,????'???s make sure it does not block our communication! Gil Mitchell of Tree Health Professionals, Inc (Campbell, CA) predicts that the better arborists and Landscape Contractors can work together, the more effective we can be improving our standing with property managers. How many apartment complexes budget for landscaping and tree care only after roofing and painting? With us working together we can present a profile that demands more significant attention from property management teams. Mr. Mitchell sees us cooperating better if we can educate each other without an expectation of being directly paid for the endeavor ?EUR??,,????'??? we will surely reap the benefits long-term. Differences of Opinion Differences of opinion are not necessarily bad. I have learned a lot from them. When we encounter construction designs or specifications in conflict with research-based standards, we must review them critically ?EUR??,,????'??? ask questions ?EUR??,,????'??? make effective improvements and changes. As the Project Arborist on construction sites, I review other professionals?EUR??,,????'??? drawings. I very commonly make suggestions which could help preserve trees (above ground and below) ?EUR??,,????'??? sometimes a modification for a section to be constructed beneath a path or even re-routing the path itself, sometimes a modification to the irrigation plan, frequently even modifying the planting/staking specs. I expect to work together with the owners, designers and installers to successfully build the project. I welcome the opportunity to meet with the landscape contractor on site with his crew to clarify steps I recommend to improve the site?EUR??,,????'???s trees. Information, Communication ?EUR??,,????'??? like a broken record There is nothing quite like a completed project ?EUR??,,????'??? with the trees still assets to the property 10 and 20 years after. At every turn I keep coming back to ?EUR??,,????'??communication?EUR??,,????'?? as a key. Our need for sound planting, watering, mulching, and pruning techniques is a cornerstone at which we surely meet. But, of course, communication of garbage would be counterproductive. So, I keep looking at the research ?EUR??,,????'??? the many sources offering information based on something more than ?EUR??,,????'??I think this sounds good?EUR??,,????'?? ?EUR??,,????'??? but hoping that methodical research can systematically ask enough of the right questions to provide better answers. Morton Arboretum in Illinois has brought a lot of research conclusions to the light of day ?EUR??,,????'??? not the least of which includes: ?EUR??,,????'??Did you know? ?EUR??,,????'???? Most trees do not have a taproot, but instead have a spreading pancake root system, the majority of which is within 18?EUR??,,????'?? of the soil surface. ?EUR??,,????'???? On large, mature trees with room to grow, the roots may grow out twice as far as the tree crown. ?EUR??,,????'????Lawn roots are extremely competitive with tree roots for moisture and nutrients in the upper 4?EUR??,,????'?? of soil. Removing lawn and adding an organic mulch or a ground cover will give tree roots an advantage.?EUR??,,????'?? The Landscape Contractor?EUR??,,????'???s world must have information that arborists need to understand. Let us know which books, videos, websites have the information that will help us work together better. Arborists have decades of research catalogued at the ISA website (https://www.isa-arbor.com/ISAResearchTrust/trust.html), and we are constantly improving access to that information. We can each be a skeptic, who asks questions, which help find better answers. The more of us we have asking questions and sorting pieces of answers, the better-reasoned conclusions we can offer our clients. I look forward to working with you! References Dockter, Dave. 2001. ?EUR??,,????'??City of Palo Alto Tree Technical Manual ?EUR??,,????'??+ Standards and Specifications?EUR??,,????'?? City of Palo Alto, Department of Planning and Community Development. 650.329.2441. Harris, R.W. with James R. Clark and Nelda P. Matheny. 1999. Arboriculture: integrated management of landscape trees, shrubs and vines. (3rd. ed.) Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ. I.S.A. website for summary of TREE Fund research grants at www.isa-arbor.com/ISAResearchTrust/trust.html. Matheny, Nelda and James R. Clark. 1998. Trees and Development: a Technical Guide to Preservation of Trees During Land Development. Morton Arboretum 2002. Website at https://mortonarb.org/research/treeroots.html.