Native to Southeast Asia, the spotted lanternfly is an invasive species that first made an appearance in the United States in Berks County, Pa., in 2014. Since that time, it has been found in other parts of Pennsylvania, as well as New Jersey and Virginia. In addition to the damage it can cause to your landscape, the spotted lanternfly poses a large threat to both the ecosystem and the economy. The potential impacts are serious enough that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine for portions of the state to help control the insect’s movement.

How to spot the spotted lanternfly

Despite its wings, the spotted lanternfly is a planthopper, meaning it’s not a true flying insect. Measuring about 1-inch long and 1/2-inch wide at rest, the spotted lanternfly is most easily identified by its distinctive red, black, white, and grey markings on its wings. Immature spotted lanternflies — which won’t yet have red patches — are black with white spots and about the size of a pencil eraser. Once mature, it will feature grey wings with white spots and a red underwing.

The spotted lanternfly favors Alianthus (Tree of Heaven) and is also known to feed on grapevines and fruit trees. Weeping, greyish, or black wounds are a telltale sign spotted lanternflies have been feeding on your trees. Their feeding creates a sugary substance called honeydew, which attracts other hazardous pests, including ants, wasps, and yellow jackets. It also generates sooty mold, which can damage your plants and cause unsightly staining on your property.

Fall and winter is critical to preventing the spread

Spotted lanternflies lay their eggs in late fall on trees and smooth surfaces — including outdoor furniture and the wheel wells of cars. The egg masses have a grey, muddy appearance, and as they age, resemble columns of brown, seed-like deposits. If you find a spotted lanternfly or egg mass, place it in a container with alcohol or hand sanitizer, which will kill it. Report the sighting to your local department of agriculture, or call us and we can assist.

One of the best measures of prevention is to have a certified arborist evaluate your risk and prescribe an appropriate prevention and treatment plan to keep your trees and property safe. Properties with trees of heaven are most susceptible, and may want to consider removal or treatment. Our experienced tree care professionals can help you properly identify your trees and make the right choice.

BrightView Principle Mark Carlos explains how the design team utilized the natural environment and themes of the community to create a palette for residents and a sustainable landscape at Greenwood in Tustin Legacy in Southern California.

(For the full transcript, see below.)

The Silicon Valley Water Conservation Awards Coalition has recognized Oracle’s two area campuses with the overall award for efficient water use. BrightView worked with Oracle to achieve a savings of $573,000 and 91 million gallons of potable water in one year. 

BrightView maintains the landscape at Oracle’s World Headquarters in Redwood City, Calif., and their Santa Clara facilities, both of which were recognized for efficient water use.  

“Oracle’s expectation is for these campuses to be state-of-the-art and our team was excited to help make that happen,” said Brandon De Young, Vice President General Manager at BrightView. “We brought in HydroPoint and highly recommended their smart irrigation products and how we use them on site to preserve water.” 

BrightView installed HydroPoint WeatherTRAK smart controllers to the irrigation system, which helped to reduce water consumption by 29 percent. It was a three-month project to convert more than 50 conventional controllers to smart controllers. 

“We take the plant type, sprinkler type, slope, and soil type and combine them into a formula to determine the water needs for each zone,” De Young said. “The controllers also alert us of any issues from the last water cycle.” 

BrightView teams across the country have been pioneering enhanced water management through smart controller technology. Oracle also has decided to have smart irrigation products installed at all of their locations in California.

In addition to installing the irrigation controllers, BrightView planted California native plants, which require less water, and changed the irrigation to drip and high-efficient matched precipitation rate nozzles.

“It has been great working with Oracle and HydroPoint to support Oracle’s long-term goal of making their campuses more sustainable,” De Young said. “We all take pride in this achievement of being recognized and look forward to continuing this journey with them.”

BrightView-maintained Oracle sites honored for water savings, Lawn & Landscape
News roundup: Husqvarna acquires Atlas Copco’s Light Compaction and Concrete Equipment business, Total Landscape Care

The world’s bee population has been significantly dwindling over the past few years, startling many globally. Many know that bees are important and understand their role in pollination, but are surprised to hear that they are responsible for the growth of over one-third of our food supply. Industrialized land often replaces flowers and plants that are needed for their survival, leading some hotels to step up and turn their rooftops into homes for bees.

One of our valued clients, The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Fla., is one of 10 hotels recognized by USA Today as helping to save the bees. The resort created a haven for 200,000 bees and in return, the hotel uses the honey for the spa’s honey butter wrap and even in the Lobby Bar to create a special Amelia’s Blossom cocktail.

There are many steps, homeowners can take by planting bee-friendly gardens, using organic plants and plant material that is local to their region. Here is a list of 10 bee-friendly plants that can be grown in window boxes, containers or gardens.

BrightView, the nation’s leading landscape services company, is cutting a new path within the landscape maintenance industry in response to growing trends and customer requests’ for zero-emission, low-noise equipment. 

“We design, develop, maintain, and enhance landscapes for clients who have unique requirements regarding noise or environmental impacts and, in many cases, both,” said Jeff Herold, President of BrightView Landscape Services. “Recent advances in zero-emission technology are allowing us to look at this equipment in ways that will have great appeal for customers and help minimize our environmental impact.”

BrightView has purchased and is in the process of deploying electric mowers and other electric landscaping equipment in several markets this spring, Herold said.

“We continually look for ways to operate in a more environmentally conscious way and to assist our clients in ways that help them achieve their sustainability goals,” he said.  “We’re proud that BrightView is able to help lead our industry and pioneer the commercial use of this kind of equipment.” 

BrightView plans to have 200 electric mowers deployed by this year’s mowing season. The company also is piloting the use of electric charging trailers, blowers, trimmers, and edgers with the goal of having select teams pilot new models of completely emission-free equipment this summer.   

“When you think about the priorities of our clients, less noise can translate to better patient and student outcomes, more productive workplaces, or a more calming and serene community environment,” said Tim Russell, Vice President of Operations at BrightView. “This equipment has little environmental impact and allows us to be at the forefront of a changing industry.

Our long term goal is to significantly expand the use of environmentally friendly equipment that can withstand the rigors of commercial use.”

BrightView Deploying Zero-Emission, Low-Noise Equipment, Green Industry Pros
BrightView deploying zero-emission, low-noise equipment, Lawn & Landscape
BrightView to deploy zero-emission, low-noise equipment, Landscape Management

There are number of ways to reduce water usage on your property. Often, the perception is that you have to make a large, upfront investment for a water management program to pay off. However, there are a number of small changes you can make to your daily and weekly maintenance program that will make an immediate impact on your water consumption. Here are some easy changes you can make today:

1. Water early in the morning, right before dawn. It reduces losses to wind and evaporation.
2. Water only when needed.
3. Adjust sprinklers to avoid waste and ensure uniform distribution.
4. Test the spray patterns of sprinkler systems. Check for clogged lines and mixed nozzle sizes of sprinkler heads and be sure to repair leaks.
5. Use drip irrigation for ornamental shrubs to reduce water usage.
6. Install rain shut-off devices or in-ground moisture sensors.
7. Set lawn mower blades higher to increase ground shade and water retention in the soil.
8. Mulch around shrubs and planters to reduce evaporation and cut down on weeds.
9. Use a broom rather than a hose to clean driveways or sidewalks.
10. Use a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.

The Dell Medical School at the University of Texas is a building dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge. That noble purpose now extends to – of all places – its roof.  BrightView Landscape Development collaborated with Hensel Phelps Construction, Sasaki Associates and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to install a 17,000-square-foot green roof above the sixth floor. 

In addition to its aesthetic and environmental benefits, the roof serves as an experimental space for researchers at the Wildflower Center to evaluate materials and methods used on the project through site visits and sensors to monitor the roof’s performance.

The green roof is made up of 7,000 individual plants, 500 cubic yards of lightweight soil, and a gravel perimeter for drainage. BrightView’s team assembled 600-pound sections of pre-cast curbing to create raised beds with varying depths to accommodate plants with larger root systems. These beds and materials were hoisted by crane and a custom tractor lift attachment was used to move materials on the roof. 

“We partnered with Hensel Phelps and were able to use their crane after hours and on weekends to lift our materials,” said John Faske, Assistant Branch Manager at BrightView Development. 

The plan was designed with both aesthetics and function in mind by considering the appropriate spacing needed for the full-size of each plant species. The team used colored irrigation flags to map out planting patterns in 5-by-5-foot grids that each contained six to seven plant varieties. Wildflower seeding was performed afterwards to enhance the plantings. 

"The green roof provides great scenery from higher floors of the building as well as energy benefits and a living laboratory for researchers,” said Jeff Lennon, Senior Vice President at BrightView. “Our team has also installed green roofs in Dallas and San Antonio and is thrilled to see a demand for these projects across the state.” 

BrightView recently completed a similar project at another University of Texas campus and has four other projects in the works including the installation of balcony plantings at Rowling Hall in the next few months. The green roof at the Dell Medical School has been submitted for a TEIL Award from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.

BrightView installs green roof, Lawn & Landscape
BrightView Installs Green Roof at Dell Medical School, National Association of Landscape Professionals
BrightView creates 17,000-square foot green roof in Texas, Total Landscape Care
Story Of A Landscape: Logistics Challenges For University Of Texas Green Roof, Turf

Green roofs are growing in urban and suburban areas and it’s not just a passing fad. It's here to stay, and for good reason. Not only does it look better than a traditional roof, it provides many environmental, functional, and budgetary benefits. Take a moment and learn the many advantages green roofs offer.

Smart Stormwater Management

Green roofs moderate the flow rate of stormwater, reducing the runoff so less water is directed into storm drains and sewer systems. The plant material used for green roofs absorbs stormwater, releasing it back into the air through condensation and filtering the heavy metals in rainwater.

Typically, green roofs intercept between 15 and 90 percent of rooftop runoff, depending on the type of growing medium and plant cover.

Better Roof Durability

Think of a green roof as a shield for your roofing material. It makes sense when you consider that the lifespan of a roof is determined by the materials used to construct it and those materials' ability to withstand UV light, the contraction and expansion that naturally occurs with temperature changes, and damage by wind or storms. By installing a green roof over your roofing system, you're protecting it from the elements.

Summer and Winter Insulation

During the hotter months, green roofs offer insulation against the heat. This is because green roofs release moisture as part of the natural evaporation and transpiration that occurs with the roof's plant medium. Think of it like a large "swamp cooler" pad draped across the roof, easing the heat and helping reduce air conditioning costs. During colder months, green roofs absorb heat from the air, keeping the building warmer and helping to lower heating costs.

Urban Heat Island Mitigation

Developed cities have their own climate and it's generally warmer than the less developed surrounding areas. This is called the urban heat island effect. Green roofs help mitigate this effect with its inherent evapo-transpiration capacity. In other words, the natural processes which take place in the roof's plant material offer a cooling effect on the ambient outdoor temperatures. In combination with tree- and plant-filled landscaping, a green roof can greatly help reduce urban island effect, making today's increasingly hotter summers more bearable for all.

Increased Bio-Diversity

With every new building and development, we're eliminating our natural environment and with it go plant and animal life, as well as the soil matrix, essential to the overall health of the environment. By planting a green roof, you're enabling beneficial animals and insects to do their jobs, pollinating food crops, controlling pest populations, dispersing seeds, or just making our day more wonderful with their presence. Carefully selected plant material for your green roof can help recreate lost natural environments and support biodiversity.

Effective Sound Insulation

Green roofs are good sound insulators. The growing medium on a green roof reduces lower sound frequencies, while the plants block higher frequencies. Taken in tandem, these elements help create a more peaceful environment for all who work or live in the building.

Enhanced Urban Aesthetics

Green roofs are beautiful architecturally. It hides less attractive rooftops, antennae and HVAC elements, and offer a visual respite from the hard surfaces of urban life. Green roofs also instill the feeling of calm that comes with surrounding one's self with nature.

Good Long-Term Value

It's true — green roofs require a large investment in the beginning, but over time, it is are more cost efficient than most other roofing alternatives. Green roofs can last up to 50 years and offer up to 50 percent in savings for heating and cooling as opposed to traditional roofing systems. Property values can also be favorably impacted for buildings with green roofs.

So, yes, green roofs are great for the environment, but the benefits it offers can extend far beyond just that. 

Improvements to Arizona's Pima Freeway put thousands of trees and cactus, including some older than the state itself, in jeopardy. Loop 101, which runs along Scottsdale's eastern border, has been widened as part of the state’s Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) $74 million improvement project for 11 miles of roadway.

Along the project’s path, between Shea Boulevard and the Red Mountain Freeway, were thousands of cactuses and trees, including mature saguaros believed to be older than the state itself.

BrightView was tasked with helping to save these extraordinary cacti, the largest and perhaps most iconic cactus species in the desert Southwest. BrightView salvaged almost 400 saguaros, along with golden barrel cacti, ocotillos, and ironwood trees. The plants were stored and cared for them in two separate nurseries for two years while the road improvements were underway.

Now, with the Pima Freeway project nearing completion, BrightView has been replanting the 1,000 saved plants.

“This restoration work is challenging, but also very rewarding because many of the saguaros are more than 100 years old and it’s great to have them in place as an iconic symbol of Arizona,” said ADOT Landscape Construction Supervisor Richard Adamson.

BrightView also planted 200 new saguaros, more than 1,000 new trees, more than 7,500 new shrubs and nearly 300 new ocotillos to go along with 166 miles of wire, and more than 800,000 square yards of granite mulch.

“I was grateful to be a part of such a unique and challenging project,” said Bret Beitz, Senior Project Manager with BrightView Landscape Development. “The opportunity to save and replant over 1,000 trees and cacti doesn’t happen often in our industry. Chances are that anyone who lives in the Phoenix area had the opportunity to see all of our salvaged trees and saguaros standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they drove down the Loop 101 Freeway.”

The majority of the additional plants added along the freeway are a drought-tolerant, desert species, including Agave americanas (American aloe), Justicia californicas (hummingbird bushes), and Baileya multiradiatas (desert marigolds).

“Our guys are the best in the industry at salvaging the saguaro cactus,” Beitz said. “It’s amazing to watch how efficient and professional they are at moving these giant, awkward living things. They truly deserve a lot of credit for such a successful and important project for both ADOT and the Phoenix BrightView team.”

I was grateful to be a part of such a unique and challenging project. The opportunity to save and replant over 1,000 trees and cactuses doesn’t happen often in our industry.
- Bret Beitz, BrightView Senior Project Manager

Dominic Desiderio, Market Manager at BrightView Enterprise Solutions, recently visited the Chengdu University of Information Technology in Chengdu, China, to give a presentation titled “Sustainable Landscaping: Making a Difference around the World.” The lecture focused on the importance of landscape planning and the ability of plant and tree species to absorb pollutants and naturally control the greenhouse effect.

“The passion we share in this industry is about so much more than landscaping,” said Desiderio. “Our industry has a direct effect on our environment and the legacy that we leave our children and generations to come.” 

This is the second time Desiderio has made the trip to China to meet with researchers and present on this topic, and he’s used his own personal time to do so. This year, Desiderio presented to the Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Departments and the Department of Environmental Sciences, which included more than 100 professors, faculty and students.

“It’s very humbling to meet so many young researchers who are dedicated to this change and (in) identifying plant species that naturally absorb pollutants more than others to help the environment,” said Desiderio. “We have the research; the challenge in China is how they find ways to bring these findings to fruition in the industry.” 

Desiderio discussed recent legislation in the U.S. and China and acknowledged the industry’s opportunity to lead these trends at the ground level rather than waiting for government action. The lecture ended as Desiderio took questions from the audience. 

“The excitement is there and I look forward to continuing the research and believe our clients here at home will take interest as well,” said Desiderio.