Landscape Adds Value

Did you know that 60-70% of your Homeowners Association (HOA) dues are typically allocated to landscaping? In California, your home is likely your greatest asset, and its value can be significantly influenced by the quality of its landscaping. That’s where Monarch comes in.

As a premier commercial landscape consulting firm based in Orange County, CA, we specialize in enhancing the value and efficiency of your landscape investment. Serving San Diego, Orange County, Riverside County, Los Angeles, the Central Coast, and the Bay Area, Monarch ensures that every dollar spent on landscaping is used to its fullest potential.

Our approach is simple yet effective: we provide expert oversight and clear, actionable feedback to landscape contractors, HOA boards, and management teams. By optimizing landscape operations, we help you achieve beautiful, cost-effective, and sustainable environments that elevate the value of your community and assets.

Let Monarch transform your landscape into an asset that works for you.

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4 Common Services & Benefits of a Tree Service Company

The recent Amazon rainforest fire and series of bush fires in Australia brought light to the significant damage that can happen to and in nature. In recent years, there have been massive movements across the globe to save mother earth, and many of them start with planting trees and conserving the remaining ones we have. Today, we’d like to focus on saving and keeping the surrounding trees in your neighborhood in good health.

Trees bring many benefits to our world. They do not only beautify the environment with their various colors, shapes, and heights, but they also play a vital role in maintaining an ecological balance, which is crucial to the growth and life of every living organism. 

Two trees on a hillside
Tree landscape

Regular tree care and maintenance are essential to the growth and lifespan of your surrounding trees. In most cases, hiring a tree service company to look after the well-being of your trees is a great solution.

If you’re wondering what a tree service company does, below are four common services they provide. Also, keep on reading to find out some benefits that you will receive from hiring a tree service company.

1. Tree care and maintenance

Tree care entails every aspect of the processes that can contribute to the prosperity of trees. This includes watering the trees, getting rid of pests, treating diseases, and trimming the leaves regularly, among others. Along with this is the expert advice that they will offer regarding the prosperity of trees and keeping up with the requirements of healthy trees. When the trees are dealt with appropriately, chances are they will become stronger, and healthier. This is what a tree service company can ensure through regular tree care and upkeep.

2. Tree pruning and complete removal

Tree pruning and complete tree removal are vital services that a tree service company can perform. Chances are that there’s a need to cut away dead or overgrown stems or branches, which is crucial to ensure the fruitfulness and growth of your trees. A tree service company can deal with these tasks with ease because they know what to prune and what not to touch. Furthermore, when your trees are old, damaged, or pose a threat to the neighborhood, a tree service company can ensure the safe removal of the impacted trees to ensure the safety of the surroundings.

3. Protection of natural beauty

The goal of every tree service company is to protect the natural beauty of a property while securing the neighborhood and its belongings. Part of the company’s services includes expelling evergreens that have been infected by pests, such as spruce budworm and the Pine Beetle. It has the right product solutions to exterminate these pests without harming the trees themselves. When trees, shrubs, or other plants are infected, the service company can treat them to ensure they grow healthy and won’t contaminate other greeneries in the area.

4. Tree stump removal

Tree stumps aren’t only unsightly, but they are actually dangerous to individuals because they may topple over them. Part of the offering that tree service companies can provide include the removal of tree stumps. If the tree stump is something that you’re worried about, then it makes sense to hire a tree service company.

Benefits of hiring a tree service company

walkway lined with trees

After having discussed some of the common services that are offered by a tree service company, let’s now go over the benefits that you can get from hiring one, including the following:

Injury prevention: For efficient tree pruning and removal, you will need various tools and equipment to get the job done. If you aren’t an expert in these tasks, chances are that you might get yourself hurt in the process. For this reason, it’s best to leave the tree pruning and removal to the experts so that you can stay away from unwanted injuries. These experts have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to perform these services. They also have the protective gear needed to ensure that they remain safe while working.

Time saved: The process of removing, pruning, and even taking care of your trees is time-consuming. If you don’t have all the time in the world, it’s best to leave them to a tree service company. Doing so can help you complete the job faster compared to doing it yourself. Expect that these professionals have the experience and know the best methods to get the work done in the shortest time possible.

Prompt emergency action: During emergency situations, the need to contact a tree service company is imperative for your safety, your property, and that of the neighborhood. If a recent storm has caused your trees to fall and land on your property, this company can efficiently remove the debris and ensure that there are no more risks or damage to property. They also help rehabilitate the trees to avoid further damage by pruning them regularly and removing the weaker branches.

Bracing and cabling: Bracing and cabling are processes used to enhance the stability of the weaker trees by putting a cable in them to provide support. A tree service company can properly perform this procedure because they know what to do and how to install them.

Preventive maintenance and cleaning: As discussed above, the tree company will ensure that your trees remain healthy for as long as possible. At the same time, professionals will reduce any disease, site problems, and insects that may affect the well-being of the trees. Furthermore, most tree service companies offer cleaning services after removing or pruning the trees. This means that there will be no trunks or branches left in your compound.

At this point, you now have a thorough idea as to what a tree service company does and the benefits that they will offer you. If you have surrounding trees that need to be taken care of or if there are issues starting to manifest in your trees, it is best that you contact a tree service company immediately and see how they can best help you. Their work is to provide advice and guide you as the client to take every step necessary to have healthy, beautiful trees.

If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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The Importance of Inspecting Trees to Prevent Hazards to Your Home – Our Guide

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Trees may seem harmless upon first glance. You may not notice them every day, but trees are vital to your surroundings and are visual points of interest. Investing in the care of trees is highly beneficial for the community as they give environmental benefits and add beauty to the community, but failing to evaluate a tree’s condition can present liabilities and risk for your family and community. 

Why is Tree Maintenance Important? 

For one, trees that are placed close to a property can be a potential hazard to both personal and public safety. Landowners and homeowners alike are responsible for assessing the tree to maintain its upkeep. 

That means if you spot any defective part of a tree, it’s your duty to hire a professional arborist to nip the problem at its bud. After all, any structural failure from a tree can lead to personal injury or property damage, both of which can burn holes in your pocket. 

What Makes a Tree Hazardous? 

A tree can fail due to decay, old-age, or natural disasters causing pieces of it to fall off. However, it becomes most hazardous when there is a valuable target involved such as a structure, vehicle, or person. The directness of the target changes the degree of the risk, which also influences the corrective treatments that follow. 

A tree can also pose a threat if it blocks the vision of drivers, obstructs pathways, interferes with utilities or signs, or has roots causing issues with its surroundings (like raising sidewalks). This can be a hazard to the routine activities of people, which is why regular inspection is crucial to prevent possible risks occurring on properties or to people that are near the tree. 

What Causes a Tree to Fall? 

High winds and decay are a recipe for failure. A tree that has partially fallen.

There are tree failures that are easily predictable, though most risks can be mitigated by keeping watch for any red flags. Pay attention to the following while you are inspecting your trees: 

Tree Health – You can foresee any structural problems by taking a closer look at the tree’s overall health. This includes the foliage color, foliage density, signs of infection, and it’s vigor. Some serious, tell-tale signs of a dying tree include large, dead branches, thin leaf coverings, oddly-shaped leaves, and fungus all over the bark. 

Tree Defects – Be sure to inspect the tree for any defects by thoroughly checking the crown and trunk down to the roots. A clear indication of a potential hazard is if there are dead branches along the tree’s crown, which are commonly called widowmakers. It’s an ominous name that serves as a warning to passers-by as defects can cause branches to fall even on a clear and calm day. 

Other signs that indicate impending issues are cracks and splits along the tree’s trunks. Root rot is one of the most important factors to consider, so be extra vigilant on inspecting the base of the trunk for any evidence of root defects like cracking, heaving soil, or growing mushrooms. 

Improper Pruning – Poor pruning techniques can weaken branches, which can lead to a decline of the tree’s health. 

Site Conditions – The planting location plays a significant role in a tree’s health as any construction within the tree’s root zone can compromise its ability to support the weight of the entire tree. 

Targets – These refer to the potential damage to valuable targets like people and property. A tree placed over a playground, near a sidewalk, or next to a driveway are samples of high-risk targets. 

Keep in mind that tree inspection is highly recommended before and after storms, heavy snowfall, flooding, and other natural calamities. 

Other Factors to Consider When Inspecting for Tree Failure 

For a more in-depth guide on what to consider when inspecting trees, refer to the table below: 

Site ConditionsBiotic and Abiotic FactorsHuman Activity
Depth of bedrockPathogens or diseases presentNearby tree removal
Soil typeInsect activity and severityExcavation removal of roots
Direction of prevailing windsDrought or flood effectsPaving obstructing roots
Erosion near the treeTree community makeup nearbyPoor pruning practices

Wind, storm, flood damagesInjuries due to mowers, car accidents, etc. 

Why You Should Rank Tree Defects

Ranking the severity of the tree’s condition can help you have a clearer picture of its overall health. This will allow you to determine the next best course of action to take – whether it just demands maintenance or complete removal. 

HighModerate
Cracks with decayCallus closing crack
Cracks with callus formingV-Shaped branch union with upturned bark
In-rolled bark widening the crackAny branch with up to 66% of side branches dead
4″ diameter or larger branch with crackBranch with a sharp bend
Two or more cracks in the same trunk or branchLopsided or unbalanced crown, especially if nearby trees were pruned or removed in the last ten years. 
Crack that allows independent movement on either side of the crack
V-shaped branch union with in-rolled bark
Cankers and rot with conks of shelf fungi
Cankers affecting more than 50% circumference
Canker connected to a crack
Dead tree
Dead branch
More than 50% of the root system severed within the drip line
Tree leaning > 45%
Learning tree with any defect on the trunk below the first branch above the ground

This should clue you in on the magnitude of the problem and help you reach the necessary measurements for mitigating the hazards. 

In Conclusion

Inspecting trees and foretelling any future hazard is an art and science. It takes a keen eye, proper training, experience, and the right tools to safely assess the health and condition of a tree to minimize the risk of fall damage and injury. 

That’s why assessing tree hazard is best left to the hands of a professional arborist. They have a deeper knowledge of tree biology and physiology, which supports their ability to evaluate the tree structure and its decay process. With all that combined, they can easily determine the tree’s growth pattern, its history, and how other environmental factors influence the tree’s integrity. 

Understanding the process behind tree hazard inspections can also help you spot red flags yourself. This will help you prevent any complications from growing out of hand as you can determine the best time to call a professional to cut the potential risks at its roots.

If you’re looking for a qualified tree risk assessor in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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10 Practical Tips in Choosing a Qualified Arborist – Our Guide

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Taking good care of your surrounding trees is paramount to maintaining their health and extending their lifespan. When doing so, professional tree services are at times required because you may not be able to do it on your own.

Whether it’s tree watering, trimming, pruning, or even emergency tree removal, hiring an expert can make a significant difference in the growth and health of your trees. If you are thinking that your trees may need some work, it’s time to look into a qualified arborist.

The decision to look for an arborist shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you don’t do your research, you could end putting both your landscaping and the person performing the work at risk. An unqualified person may not have sufficient insurance or may not have the proper knowledge, skills, and training required to carry out the tree services required.

It’s best to work with a tree care company that is licensed, and insured. While you look for a registered and licensed firm that complies with the state requirements, you should also consider their guarantee of quality work and the additional services offered. 

That said, below are ten practical tips you can use for selecting a qualified arborist:

1. Check for ISA certified arborist credentials

Look for an arborist who has a membership with professional organizations, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This membership requires the arborists to demonstrate a commitment to quality and keep up with current best practices on trees and tree care. You can rest assured that ISA-certified arborists have passed the ISA’s extensive examination on all aspects of tree care and maintenance. 

2. Obtain valid references.

When you have several prospective arborists, make sure to get valid references from them. Once you have these references, make sure to validate them. You can contact the listed character references and inquire about their services and level of expertise. Because you want to hire an expert for the preventive care of your trees, you have to make the right decision to ensure the overall health of your trees. Also, don’t forget to check Yelp and Google My Business for reviews.

3. Get estimates from more than one tree care firm.

Apart from references, you should look to obtain estimates from your list of prospects. After examining the credentials of the firms and their staff, make sure to check the specifications of the submitted bids as well. When looking at the specs, determine which proposal has the best combination of cost, scope of work, skill, and professionalism. In the end, the investment in your trees lies in the hands of the tree service provider. This is why you should opt for a highly knowledgeable and reputable tree service company!

4. Never rush when promised with a discount.

Know that there are a wide range of discounts being offered by some service providers. Chances are, you will immediately take the plunge when provided with a discount. Keep in mind that you should never rush in making a decision to hire an arborist. First, make sure to understand the work that needs to be done, the cost of the services, and what the discount entails. Although you will want to take advantage of a discount, this shouldn’t come at the expense of the quality of their work.

5. Veer away from arborists doing excessive pruning.

It’s worth knowing that expert and knowledgeable arborists won’t recommend topping a tree or other drastic pruning practices. These practices might actually injure the trees or make them hazardous. If they offer excessive pruning, it is best that you do not hire them. Reputable arborists usually recommend various options appropriate for your tree conditions and situations.

6. Don’t allow arborists to climb your trees using spikes.

When looking for an arborist, make sure to avoid arborists who use spikes or spurs when tending to the tree. Know that tree-climbing spikes or spurs can actually wound the trees and open a pathway for diseases and insects. These can lead to the weakening of trees or, worse, their death. 

7. Be wary of door-knockers, flyers, or cold calls.

When looking for a tree service provider, you should hire an expert in the field or industry. Know exactly what you want and what kind of tree services you need and verify the firm’s area of specialization as well. In the end, choose a reputable tree service company that can ensure that your trees will get the care they need to remain safe and beautiful for a long time. In short, always check references and reviews.

8. Invest in an arborist with a fair market rate.

Proper tree work is not necessarily inexpensive, but it’s best to invest in a tree service company providing a fair market rate. Reputable arborists are licensed, insured, and maintain expensive, specialized equipment. This is why the standard cost is a fair rate. Beware, however, of exceptionally low estimates as you may not receive quality services. This is also why it is important to look at multiple bids, so you can get a feel for the market.

9. Check and get proof of insurance and license.

It’s best to check and obtain proof of insurance and licenses from the service provider you plan to work with. The license should indicate that it’s registered while in compliance with the state requirements. Furthermore, the certificate of insurance should detail worker’s compensation and general liability in the event of personal property damage. 

10. Never hire the cheapest estimate.

It’s a rule of thumb that you should not hire a service provider with the cheapest estimate. Extremely low estimates can be an indicator of poor professionalism, lack of credentials, such as insurance, and may even have hidden costs. Make sure that you do your best to stay away from such offerings!

There is a wide range of tree service companies available in the market. Before hiring a service provider, make sure to get detailed information about the company and consider the valuable tips outlined above. 

If you’re looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Contact Us Today
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The Importance of Hiring a Qualified Arborist for Tree Services

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Trees are a vital part of our ecosystem. Not only do they provide us with oxygen to breathe, but they add beauty and elegance to any outdoor space. Investing in the care of trees for your property can provide substantial returns for your community. 

Maintaining beautiful and healthy trees brings forth ecological benefits. On the other hand, leaving them unkempt can turn them into a liability and a potential hazard. 

Caring for trees can be quite different than caring for shrubbery or flowers. Trees—whether you are pruning or removing—require back-breaking effort and can be dangerous for untrained individuals. 

It takes special equipment as well as industry knowledge to properly care for trees. A lack of skill and experience can endanger the person performing the work. For that reason, hiring an arborist is essential to keep up the visual appeal, health, and structural soundness of the trees in your community. 

Tree

What Arborists Can Do for You

By definition, an arborist is a certified individual who is trained in the science and art of caring for, maintaining, and planting individual trees. When looking for a certified arborist, be sure to look for one accredited by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) (like us here at Monarch) or a member of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA). To that end, here are some services that arborists can offer:

1. Tree Pruning 

A certified arborist will know how and when to prune trees. It may seem like a simple task, but incorrect procedures will only compromise the health of the tree. Additionally, an arborist has the knowledge to identify the type of pruning method necessary to enhance the appearance, overall health, and safety of the trees.

Professional pruning entails the following: 

  • Training young trees to help them develop a strong structure
  • Pruning the limbs to make way for light penetration and to increase airflow through the canopy 
  • Removing damaged branches and limbs 
  • Removing limbs that may obstruct other structures and potentially wound the tree
  • Removing dead, diseased, or weak limbs
  • Creating a better structure to boost the robustness of the tree against harsh winds or storms
  • Removing excessive weight at the ends of the branches
  • Creating a better shape in a damaged tree

2. Tree Health Care 

The state of your tree is vital, as poor health can turn it into a potential hazard for your surroundings or passers-by. Arborists have the expertise, tools, and experience to conduct preventive care and regular maintenance. A health care plan involves checking on the tree’s structure and overall health. 

With that in mind, arborists aim to maintain the tree’s structure and overall health to keep it strong against insects, diseases, and environmental conditions. 

It should be noted that urban settings can be more stressful to trees, so regular check-ups are in order. To that end, health care for trees involves the following: 

  • A preventive health and safety assessment of the tree
  • A spray or injection program to control certain insects or diseases
  • Proper aeration to improve root growth 
  • Supporting weak branches through cabling or bracing
  • Corrective pruning
  • Fertilization
  • Seasonal irrigation
Tree by a fence

3. Tree Removal 

Removing trees should always be a last resort. When it is necessary, however, investing in an arborist is a must. These professionals hold a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). This makes their professional opinion reliable as they have the knowledge and expertise to provide proper mitigation measures, which includes the removal of trees. 

Here are a few situations where tree removal may be necessary:

  • The tree has been deemed irreparably hazardous by a qualified arborist
  • The tree is being replaced by a different tree
  • The tree is crowding or harming other trees
  • The tree is dead or dying
  • The tree is located improperly in a construction or development site 

4. Tree Planting 

The task of planting trees isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It takes a professional and trained eye to determine the right soil and specific location for optimal growth, and fortunately, arborists are trained to do just that. 

Attempting to plant trees without proper analysis of the type of seed as well as the place can lead to disastrous results in the future. For instance, trees can struggle to grow from limited space, which can damage surrounding property or items as it continues to stretch. 

Additionally, planting large trees demands industry equipment and skills, making it all the more essential to seek the help of an ISA certified arborist for proper tree planting.

5. Emergency Tree Services

There are environmental factors that can compromise the health of your trees—natural disasters like storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, and more. These unfortunate events can break the limbs of the tree, and in some cases, strike it down entirely. 

Once the tree breaks, it can be a hazard to people as it can impact passers-by, buildings, cars, powerlines, and other trees. Once the tree is down, you will need an arborist to move it for you as doing it your own may be dangerous.

6. Other Tree Services

Beyond pruning, planting, health care, emergency services, and removal, an arborist can also provide the following services: 

  • Assess the value of a tree
  • Assess the hazard potential of a tree depending on its site conditions
  • Implement lightning protection systems in particular regions
  • Develop protection plans regarding trees on development and construction sites
  • Grind or remove stumps
  • Perform cabling 
  • Brace weak-limbed trees

Arborists can also offer services such as relocation of your trees, along with health consultations and health plans to prevent the development of diseases or damages. 

Even if you take pride in having a green thumb, caring for trees takes gardening to a whole different level as it involves complex techniques and tools.

If you’re are looking for a certified arborist in Orange County, get in touch with us to see how we can help.

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Plant Health Care – When Does It Make Sense?

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If the plants in your community aren’t looking their best, it may be time for some serious plant health care.

Whether it’s trees, shrubs, or flowers, healthy plant life can make a home or neighborhood look much more welcoming and inviting. It also makes the area appear more well-kept which can entice future residents to move in and current residents to stay.

Read on to learn more about plant health care, what it is, and when it makes sense for you to start using it for your property.

The Definition of Plant Health Care

When you hear the term “healthcare,” you probably think of humans first. Plants actually need to be monitored and cared for just like every other living thing on the planet.

The term plant health care means that your plant life is provided with things like vital nutrients they need to thrive and grow. It also involves things like insect and disease control to keep the plants healthy and safe.

The threat of plant-related diseases is much more common than you might think. Pests like Japanese beetles, bagworms, spider mites, and aphids are just a few examples of the potentially damaging pests that can wreak total havoc on your beautiful plants. With regular plant health care practices, your trees and shrubs will bloom, look greener, and be much more attractive.

In order to ensure that your plant life is thriving, you should consider bringing in an expert for a plant health care service. This service will help to select the best plants for your property, develop an efficient maintenance plan for those plants, and come up with a plan to defend against potential threats, thereby protecting your investment (aka your plants) from damage and disease.

Keeping plants healthy all year round will ensure that they grow and look beautiful for many years to come.

Quality care ensures that your plants stay fresh, healthy-looking, and attractive through the changing seasons.

Being proactive ensures that the plants you use will remain in great shape as time goes on.

What Are the Benefits?

When you enlist the help of a professional plant health care provider, you’ll reap a variety of benefits. These plant pros know exactly what your specific plant life needs to thrive and stay healthy.

They’ll work to improve your water usage to not only save you money but also to ensure that your plants are receiving the correct amount of water they need. Soil tests will be performed to ensure that the soil around your property is healthy and compacted properly.

If any threat is found, the plant health care professionals will work to eliminate it in a responsible manner. This tactic is usually done in an eco-friendly way so as not to cause harm to your landscaping or the environment. With early treatment, problems can be eliminated before they get out of hand.

With regular care, your plants will look incredible. They’ll grow and blossom, creating an attractive look around your neighborhood, association, condominium complex, and home. 

Landscape consultants will assess your plants and determine what needs to be added or removed. When you work side-by-side with these professionals, you’ll see just how much time and effort goes into maintaining plant life. As time goes on, your property will look much more attractive to potential buyers or tenants.

Why Would You Use Plant Health Care?

If you’re a manager of an HOA or other property community you already have a full plate and may not have the time to consider a holistic approach when it comes to the health of your landscaping. You have to think about the selection of plants you have, practice proper planting techniques, and the maintenance of those plants. You also need to consider pest control and what companion plants to choose. It can quickly become overwhelming!

There’s an intricate process involved in plant health care designed to ensure your property looks its best. Some of the things that a plant health care professional will do include:

  • Selecting the right plants for aesthetic and other purposes like noise barriers
  • Planting for shade where it’s needed to provide residents with a pleasant landscape
  • Making site considerations such as soil type and condition, climate, drainage, and available planting space
  • Determining the proper methods for pest resistance to keep plants healthy
  • Devising a plan to ensure that all plants are healthy and well-maintained

A plant health care professional will give you advice on what you can do to be proactive to keep your plants healthy and happy. They may also inspect the surrounding areas for signs of pest damage in other places in order to assess the threat to your plants.

You can also change your current landscaping layout and include a new selection of plant life that’s native to your area. Experienced arborists will asses your trees to make sure they’re all healthy and in good condition.

When you opt to focus on your plants, the entire community will flourish and appreciate the beauty of the landscaping. It’s also a smart way to increase property values. Healthy landscaping entices renters and current residents to stay or to move into your community.

Leave Plant Health to the Pros

If you manage an HOA or other residential community, it’s easy to see how plant health care can benefit your community. With some proper planting and planning, your landscaping will look aesthetically pleasing and your plants will thrive.

Choose a professional company that understands the needs of residential landscaping so you can enjoy your plants without the fear of pests or disease. We want to see your plants stay healthy and grow, so be sure to contact us today for more information on how you can get started taking care of the plants on your property.

Contact Us Today!
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What Role Should a Contractor Play in Water Management?

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While water management is an important topic for any HOA, apartment complex, or city, communities in Southern California must be exceptionally aware of water usage in landscaping. Because of frequent drought periods and water surcharges, monitoring and reducing water usage is good for the environment and the budget. So how can community managers work with a landscaping contractor to make this happen?

One of the most important things when choosing a reputable landscaping contractor to work with on water management for your community or HOA is understanding what should be expected of them. Knowing what questions to ask and services to look for when meeting with a potential landscaping partner will go a long way in making a smart business decision.

Below are some of the tasks that a landscaping contractor should include for any city or housing community in order to cut their water usage and improve water management efforts:

Incorporate Eco-Friendly Landscaping Designs in Common Areas

Working with your landscaping company to incorporate environmentally-conscious design elements into your community’s common areas is one of the best ways to help water management efforts and can provide a unique, attractive landscape that will catch your potential residents’ eye.

Because of the wonderful variety of plants that are native to Southern California, it is possible to have an attractive landscaping design while primarily using plants that do not require excessive amounts of water. A good landscaping contractor will work with you to incorporate eco-friendly elements into your design such as:

  • Replacing grass with high-quality gravel and stone
  • Utilizing succulents into the design, such as cacti or aloe
  • Planting hearty perennial flowers in lieu of ones that require frequent watering
  • Using a dry stream to guide water flow after rains
  • Adding mulch to help the soil retain moisture

As the landscaping company makes updates like this throughout the design, property managers will begin to see a big impact on overall water usage and expenditure for the community.

Have an Expert Knowledge of Plants’ Watering Needs 

When it comes to water management, it is essential to understand the different needs of plants and adjust the watering and maintenance plans accordingly. Your landscaping contractor should be aware of which plants get afternoon sun—making them likely to need more water—or which sections of the lawn are primarily shaded throughout the day.

Having this inherent knowledge of what plants need can go a long way in cutting down on the water usage for the entire community. Choosing to work with a landscaping expert that is local to Southern California and understands the unique needs of this region will be extremely helpful in preventing water from going to waste.

Perform Irrigation Retrofits for the Community

While irrigation is not something that every HOA or apartment complex will be interested in using, it is important to work with a contractor who can perform an irrigation retrofit if that is something the community might decide to do in the future. 

Irrigation systems allow housing communities or cities to obtain detailed control over water usage. They allow water to be turned on and off remotely and allow the flow to be controlled in zones, creating different levels of watering volume. This ensures that every type of plant gets the water it requires, without the waste or over-watering associated with performing a blanketed soaking. This increased efficiency can lead to an extreme reduction in water usage overall.

Keep Up With Regular Maintenace Checks Around Common Areas

When it comes to water usage, even something as small as a single-drip leak or not switching an automated system to new settings when Daylight Savings Time ends can make a big impact if it is left untreated. Especially for communities in Southern California, every drop that is wasted can have an impact on the budget and the overall health of the landscaping work.

Watching for leaking hoses, malfunctioning sprinklers, or cracks in piping are all essential tasks for a landscaping contractor to perform, and it can save the community quite a bit on water management expenses in the long run. Additionally, the landscaping contractor should closely monitor and frequently recalibrate any automated systems based on time of year, angle of sunlight, and other factors that might cause a discrepancy between the water used and what the plants actually need.

Report on Water Usage for the Community

A good landscaping company should not simply reassure you that water is being saved without any evidence—instead, look for a contractor that will be able to provide community managers with clear reports on the impact of your efforts. 

By utilizing monthly reports, quarterly numbers, and year-over-year comparisons, a community manager can see exactly how any changes and updates have impacted their water management budget. Having the reporting and data regarding water usage will be extremely helpful for property managers to assess their water usage and make decisions about any extra steps necessary to reach their target water usage goal.

While community managers have many things to consider when choosing a landscaping contractor to work with, one of the most important things for Southern California HOAs, apartment complexes, or cities to be sure of is that they are choosing a landscaping partner they can trust and that is exceptionally knowledgable of the latest best practices in landscape and water management. Not only does this create a more beautiful and water-efficient community overall, but it also ensures that they are facilitating an environment that their residents will love for years to come.

At Monarch Environmental, we are made up of a team of EPA Water Sense Partners and Certified Water Managers that are passionate about working with community managers to reach their water management goals. If you’d like to learn more about our water management expertise, check out our list of water management services and contact us today.

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What Role Does Your Community Manager Play In Managing Your Landscape?

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As a member of a homeowner association (HOA), you likely value a beautiful neighborhood and home. One of the best parts of your membership is that you usually have minimal landscaping responsibilities while being able to enjoy all the benefits of expert maintenance.

Instead of you having to go out and mow the lawn, contractors hired out by your HOA community manager and board bear the brunt of lawn and garden upkeep. Because the landscape is one of the first things you notice when entering any community, it’s crucial that the community manager has the right priorities when it comes to hiring professional landscaping contractors. The role of a community manager should be like conducting an orchestra not playing an instrument. The community manager must understand the needs of the landscape in order to find the right instrument to play the “Landscape”. 

Determining Community Needs

Your community manager is ultimately responsible for enforcing decisions made by your HOA board, as long as they are in line with community bylaws and policies. This means that as soon as the board is in agreement with what their landscaping priorities are, your manager should seek out professional contractors to fulfill these priorities quickly and successfully. 

Landscaping contractors can have a wide range of diverse responsibilities that may change with the seasons. Some key duties of professional landscaping include tree maintenance and emergency tree removal (in times of extreme weather), water and irrigation system management, lawn mowing, pruning, weeding, and general maintenance.

A great way for your community manager to determine the direction for the landscape is to distribute a survey to all members of the community. Your HOA board members may develop a questionnaire that includes questions to determine what homeowners want and need more of, what they can live without, and how important landscaping is in relation to their overall community satisfaction.

Hiring Professional Landscaping Contractors

Once your HOA community manager understands what the residents want and need and is in full agreement with the board members, they should begin to search for contractors. There are many things to keep in mind when searching for highly rated, top quality landscaping maintenance. Your manager should go into each search with prepared questions; how a contractor answers the prioritized questions will quickly determine if they are worth the pre-determined HOA landscaping budget.

“What value can your landscaping company bring to my community?”

This is an important but often overlooked point to be discussed when hiring contractors. In addition to their advertised services such as the standard watering, pruning, and mowing, contracting companies should be able to provide other services that will increase the market value of an HOA neighborhood. Examples include offering regular landscape checkups to determine existing issues and then recommending cost-effective solutions. It’s one thing to maintain the flower beds, but if a contractor can determine which plants would thrive better in your community and make a plan to implement them, your HOA gets an added value and a little extra curb appeal.

“Do you hire subcontractors? What, if any, background checks do you conduct for potential employees?”

Again, this is a question that your HOA manager should be asking any potential landscaping company. It will save time and hassle in the long run if your board is aware that their main contractor hires out various subcontractors for specialized projects. Being aware of main contacts and who to address concerns to, especially if there is a problem with work performed by a subcontractor, will almost always ensure a faster response and more thorough solution.

It’s also important to know if those subcontractors are subjected to the same background checks and/or drug testing that the main landscaping contractors go through. No matter what the process is, having an understanding of it establishes a certain level of trust between HOA members and any contractors working on the property. If the faces aren’t always familiar because there are instances where subcontractors are needed for one-time or specialized projects, it’s reassuring to know that they are trusted and qualified professionals.

Ask Why

Overall, your HOA community manager is responsible for ensuring the assets in the community are managed correctly.

Ask contractors “Why” rather than “How.” 

Why did you choose this field? Why do you want to work with us? This question gets to the heart of that matter and cuts out the marketing material. You want a contractor that knows why they would serve you best not just how. 

This sounds like a lot of work!

Fortunately, there are helpful resources for ensuring this process goes as smoothly as possible. Monarch Environmental works with your HOA community manager and board members to assist in all aspects of hiring landscaping contractors. Monarch understands that quality landscape design has a huge impact on overall community satisfaction, market value, and curb appeal. We strive to ensure that every landscaping priority is met in a timely fashion, well within your community’s budget, and performed in 100% compliance with all HOA bylaws and policies. From pest control to irrigation, Monarch will audit any landscaping work performed by designated contractors to make sure it is complete, safe, and always at the right price.

Call Monarch Environmental at (949) 207-3770 for more information on our quality services, or send us a message on our contact page.

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7 Ways to Add Value to Your HOA on a Small Budget

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In an economy that is slowing down, consumers need to be smart about where their money is spent. When it comes to Home Owners Associations landscaping is typically the biggest number on the budget. This is for good reason; experts agree that a well-maintained landscape may add more than 15% to the value of the property. Here are a few creative ways to reduce spending while adding value to the community:

1 – Get a Plan

Work with your contractor to establish a healthy priority list for the community. What assets does the community already have that can be highlighted?

2 – Recycle

Mulch is a great way to limit water use and prevent weeds from germinating. In addition, recycling green waste is a great way to be environmentally responsible.

3 – Free Money

Millions of dollars are allocated to encourage HOA’s to invest in new technology and turf removal that maximizes water usage. Proper management and new technology are two easy ways to reduce unnecessary spending.

Visit www.bewaterwise.com for more information.

4 – Volunteer Days 

Have a community day. Assign specific tasks for homeowners to participate in once a quarter.  The more homeowners involved in keeping the community beautiful the fewer dollars you have to spend having someone else do it.

5 – Sustainable Plants 

Limit the amount of seasonal color used in high profile areas. There are some beautiful natives worth exploring.

6 – Plant Selection

Areas that don’t require immediate gratification may do well with smaller plant sizes. The smaller sizes are less expensive than the larger more established plants.  When possible, select plants that require low water and low maintenance. Avoid plants that will increase your maintenance budget.

7 – Maintenance 

Deferred maintenance on irrigation and trees are two areas that will cost the association more money in the long run. Ask your contractor to help generate creative ideas that allow the board to identify areas of maintenance that should not be avoided.

Finally, enjoy your landscape and the money you saved.

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