Fill two needs with one deed! From how you hydrate to how you commute, here are four simple, yet powerful ways you can make a difference for the planet and your personal wellbeing. Reap the feel-good vibes when you give one (or all!) a try this Green Week.

Don’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes to tree care. Myths and legends abound, some of which can permanently harm your trees. That’s why we’re breaking down five of the most common misconceptions and delivering the facts you need to treat your trees right. 

Myth No. 1: All Trees Need Stakes

Let’s first clarify when stakes are definitely needed: Specifically, if you’re in a windy area, the tree is top heavy, or is otherwise at a high risk of leaning due to loose soil or a small root system. 

Otherwise, your tree may be just fine without a stake. In many cases, stakes are forgotten once they’re placed and that could post a problem down the line, especially if it causes girdling as the tree continues to grow. Another potential issue unnecessary or improper staking can cause is impeding natural sway for the trunk. This helps trunks grow stronger and promotes more robust root growth.

Myth No. 2: Trees Don’t Need Any Special T.L.C.

Because, hello, haven’t you seen a forest? We get it— if trees do just fine in the wild, it would stand to reason they don’t need any help from us. But the urban environment is much different and has its own unique set of stressors, like limited space, soil compaction, and pollutants. Regular pruning, fertilizer, and ongoing care from a certified arborist—such as a plant health care program—help trees excel in spite of the manmade challenges we throw their way.

Myth No. 3: Build-Up Mulch Around the Trunk

The “mulch volcano” has become such a ubiquitous sight that it’s probably hard to believe it’s not what you’re supposed to do. The truth is excess mulch piled around the base of a tree can suffocate tree roots or cause decay. Worse, trees may try to grow a secondary root system into the mulch pile, which will eventually be exposed as the mulch decays. Yikes!

To be sure, mulch has its benefits. It regulates soil temperature, helps preserve soil moisture, and prevents weeds. But like all good things, moderation is key.

Myth No. 4: Most Tree Roots are Deep Underground

Actually, the majority of tree roots are located in the uppermost 12 to 36 inches of the soil. Some trees may develop deeper anchoring roots, such as oaks and hickories, but most never do. You might also be surprised to learn that contrary to popular belief, a tree’s root system does not end at its drip line; in fact, many root systems extend more than twice the diameter of the tree’s canopy.

Given the area and shallow depth, tree roots can easily be damaged by our daily activities—either directly, by tools and equipment, or over time through soil compaction. That’s why it’s so important to take extra care when digging or operating machinery in the vicinity of your trees.

Myth No. 5: Topping a Tree is Beneficial

First, let’s establish that tree pruning is not the same as topping. Topping is a practice where, just as the name suggests, you remove the top of the tree. Upper branches are essentially reduced to stubs. The result is both unsightly and terrible for the tree. In addition to making the tree more susceptible to disease and pests, it also permanently impairs the tree’s ability to maintain a natural shape. And here’s the kicker: it inevitably induces the need for more pruning. That’s because after being topped, a tree will respond to the stress by sending out tons of water sprouts. These fast-growing shoots are a defense mechanism to help replace the critical foliage that was lost. Unfortunately, their dense growth pattern and spindly shape are less-than attractive.

Arborists agree tree topping is a no-go. If you need to manage a tree’s size, there are a number of better alternatives. A certified arborist can guide you to the best solution.

Looking for a certified arborist and experienced tree care team? Look no further! With our knowledgeable local experts, your trees are in good hands. Get in touch to set up a complimentary consultation.

Earth Day may be a single day, but there’s plenty of ways to make the spirit of sustainability last all year long. Check out our list of eco-friendly landscaping best practices. They’re easy to implement, promote better plant health, and can even save you money.

Waste Not with Mulching Mowers

Mulching mowers pack a powerful one-two punch in benefits. They reduce green waste that would otherwise be sent to the landfill by repurposing it onsite into a nutrient-rich compost. The mower's blades cut grass and leaves into fine pieces that are deposited onto the soil. As the pieces decompose, they act as a natural fertilizer for your landscape. Less waste + free fertilizer = win-win!

Beat Dry Spells with Drought-Tolerant Plants

Incorporating drought-tolerant plants into your landscape enhances curb appeal and can reduce your water bill. Thanks to their lower water needs, drought tolerant plants will look great, even during dry spells. And because they experience less stress in periods of water scarcity, that can translate to less need for fertilization and a greater resistance to pests and disease.

Be Waterwise with Smart Irrigation

When it comes to watering your landscape, there’s no reason for runoff, overspray, or watering in the rain. Today’s irrigation technology ensures the most efficient water application and implementing it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Among our favorites are rain sensors and smart controllers, which automatically adjust your watering schedule to ensure you’re not watering when it’s not needed. High-efficiency sprinkler heads and drip irrigation are another must have because they apply water in a slower, more uniform manner. This gives the soil more time to absorb the water, reducing runoff and wasteful mist that can blow away.

Let Sustainability Soak in with Permeable Surfaces

No pun intended, but concrete can be a little hard on the environment. That’s because concrete and other impervious surfaces don’t allow groundwater to soak into the soil and recharge aquifers. This leads to runoff and erosion. In contrast, permeable surfaces—such as gravel and permeable pavers—allow water to filter through, contributing to a more balanced ecosystem. And here’s a “cool” fact: permeable surfaces may even help reduce the urban heat island effect through evaporative cooling!

Remedy Run-off with a Rain Garden

Got drainage issues? Rain gardens are an attractive way to deal with depressions where rainwater collects. They act like nature’s sponge, soaking up excess water to prevent run-off, erosion, and flooding. Typically, rain gardens are planted with native plants that love water, but also don’t mind drier periods. Planted at the base of a naturally occurring slope, water funnels into the rain garden, where it’s able to soak into the ground more quickly. In a well-constructed rain garden, the water will be absorbed within a day, which prevents mosquitos and leads to some very happy plants.

Make sustainable practices your new norm. When you partner with BrightView, it’s easy to implement strategies like these in your landscape care. With electric commercial landscaping equipment, a large fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, and United States Green Building Council LEED-certified landscape consulting, we’re leading the industry in environmentally friendly solutions. Get in touch to discover what’s possible for your property.

If you’re looking to make a big difference for your landscape and the environment, you can’t go wrong with a pollinator garden. Also known as bee or wildflower gardens, pollinator gardens bring beauty and beneficial insects to your property, creating a win-win for everyone. Getting started is easy, especially with the right landscape partner by your side. Here’s what to “bee” mindful of:

Choose the Right Site

For the greatest success, pollinator gardens are best located in a spot that gets at least partial sun and isn’t too windy. If the site currently has sod, it will need to be removed, and the soil tilled prior to planting your pollinator garden. Your landscape partner can advise on the best approach. 

Pro Tip: Aim to plant in clumps of a single type of plant. It makes it easier for pollinators to find their preferred food source.

Choose Native Plants

Not only are native plants well-adapted to your region, they’re also an important food source for pollinators. Check out the website for Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which maintains a list of native plants for each state. For year-round interest, we like to select plants that bloom in different seasons. 

Pro Tip: Beware of cultivars of native plants. Through selective breeding, these plants may have lost some of the qualities that originally made them attractive to pollinators.

Choose with Bees in Mind

According to the Xerces Society, bees are the most important group of pollinators because they spend most of their lives collecting pollen. In fact, a single female bee can visit hundreds of flowers in a single foraging trip. However, not all flowers are universally appealing. That’s because different species of bees have different tongues. Some have long tongues that work well for tubular blooms while others have short tongues that are better suited for small florets. Plant a mix of shapes and sizes to appeal to as many bee species as possible. 

Pro Tip: Save your red flowers for hummingbirds and butterflies. Bees can’t see red, but are attracted to purple, blue, white, and yellow.

Choose the Right Time to Plant

Spring is the best time to install a pollinator garden as it allows plenty of time for transplants to get established before their first winter freeze. If you live in a region with mild winters, fall planting could also be an option.

Pro Tip: It’s not uncommon for native plants to spend their first couple growing seasons establishing their root system instead of directing energy toward aboveground growth.

Choose the Right Landscape Provider

BrightView is experienced in implementing environmentally-friendly landscaping solutions—like pollinator gardens—across the country. Whether you’re looking to create unique outdoors spaces that attract top talent, promote healing, or enhance learning, our team of experts has you covered. Take the first step toward bringing your vision to life by scheduling a free consultation.

For other BrightView Landscapes stock information or other financial reports, please visit our investor website.

This Corporate Responsibility Report aims to provide a consolidated overview of BrightView’s non-financial performance. Metrics included in this Report cover our activities during the FY2024 (October 1, 2023 - September 30, 2024) period, unless otherwise noted. This Report includes select metrics from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Professional and Commercial Services industry standard.

Agave Assassin

The Uninvited Guest In Your Landscape

They're the scourge of the succulent world — half-inch long beetles with a serious snout problem. Meet the agave snout weevil, a tiny beetle with a big appetite and an even bigger impact on your beloved agave. This 'agave assassin' may be small, but this invasive pest has earned a spot on the "Top 100 Worst Global Invasive Species" list, and they’re rapidly spreading a reign of destruction. 

Who's Eating My Agave?

The Weevil's Deadly Cycle

Imagine this: your agave plant, once a proud and spiky centerpiece, starts to look a bit... off. The leaves droop sadly, and there's a suspicious mushiness at the base. Enter the villain of our story — the agave snout weevil. This dastardly little beetle, with its distinctive snout, burrows into the heart of agaves to lay its eggs and spread deadly bacteria. The grubs eventually burrow into the soil to pupate or grow, emerging later as a new plague of adult agave snout weevils. Their downward-curved snouts, like needles, inject deadly bacteria straight into the agave's core as they lay their eggs of destruction.

Stop the Assassination Early

Spot the Signs

• Wilted and Discolored: Lower fronds or leaves losing their spunk? Could be a sign.
• Rotten at it’s Core: A foul smell and mushy base is a telltale sign of an advanced infestation.
• Give it a Rock: If your agave wobbles with a gentle push, it's loose in the soil and time to request back-up.

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Stop the Spread 

Don’t wait for the weevils to RSVP — the best defense against the agave snout weevil is a good offense.

• Check Newly Purchased Plants: Carefully inspect new plants for signs of stowaways or hitchhikers before planting.
• Water Wisely: Overwatering is like sending out an open invitation. Use well-draining soil to keep it dry and drama-free.
• Insecticide Armor: Suit up your succulents seasonally with a systemic insecticide soil drench — think of it as giving the agaves some extra muscle to fight from the inside out.

Evict the Invaders

Treatment & Prevention

If you discover an infestation among your succulent ranks, act quickly.

• Insecticide Intervention: Apply a systemic insecticide to affected and nearby plants. It’s like having reinforcements show up.
• Remove the Ruined: Sometimes, you've just got to clear out the troublemakers. Remove severely affected plants to prevent reinfestation.

With some diligence, you can rest easy knowing your agave garden is protected from the tiny terror of the snout weevil. 

Don't let this tiny terror ruin your landscape oasis. See how BrightView can help you stay vigilant and take proactive measures to protect your agaves from the dreaded snout weevil.

Get ready to plant trees like a boss! We're about to unleash your inner tree-whisperer with our fun and easy guide. Say goodbye to boring plantings and hello to green-thumb glory! Let's dive into the dirt and turn that sapling into a superstar. Get your shovel and let's make Mother Nature proud!"

The best way to celebrate Earth Day is outside, of course! This scavenger hunt is a fun way to find everyday sustainability superheroes in your landscape. Gather your coworkers to make it a teambuilder or take it home to enjoy with family and friends.

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HERE’S HOW TO PLAY:

• Decide if you’ll compete in small groups or individually.
• Set the parameters for how far you can search, such as within your own landscape or within the neighborhood.
• Use your phone to capture a photo of each item on the list.
• You cannot use the same answer more than once.
• Disputed answers can be settled by the organizer or a group vote.
• The first team or individual in your group to complete the scavenger hunt wins!

Have you ever wished you could see into the future? Now you can. At BrightView, we’re making cutting-edge technology and the latest sustainability best practices available to the properties we serve. 

Are you wishing you could bring these same futuristic benefits to your property? Don’t be green with envy! We’ll bring them to you, too. Get in touch to discuss your sustainability goals. 

The 2024 Corporate Responsibility Focus Areas infographic showcases BrightView's unwavering commitment to being a good corporate citizen. At the forefront of its initiatives is the dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Through meticulous attention to these pillars, BrightView has prioritized sustainable practices that minimize its environmental footprint, foster positive social impacts, and uphold the highest standards of governance. This infographic details insights into BrightView's sustainable strategies, including the addition of electric and battery-powered equipment and promoting water conservation and smart irrigation technology, enhancing community engagement, and maintaining transparent and ethical business practices.

With sustainability at the heart of its operations, BrightView aims to not only meet, but exceed the expectations of its stakeholders, driving meaningful change, and creating long-term value for the company and the communities in which its team members work, live, and play.

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