Enhance Your Environment

What Does it Mean to be Green?

Now that being green has become a hot trend - a trend I hope continues to develop for its own sake -  we should start considering what 'green' means to each of us.  Some take green literally.  They consider green to be beautiful, lush turf,  while others strongly oppose any artificially maintained environment, which of course includes lawns of all kinds.  They consider meadows and prairies to be the pinnacle of 'green.'  I admire and respect all natural spaces.  And since I'm in the business of delivering natural environments to clients, I have to fulfill many different needs and desires while also honoring my personal values and those of everyone here at Treemendous Landscape Company®.  Hmm...what am I thinking?  I'm thinking that like so many other issues that involve all of us dwellers of this planet, we're going to have to strike a balance in our earthly activities.  We're going to have to agree and probably also agree to disagree.

The truth is this discussion is healthy because now we are focused on taking action.  If we can determine the right reasons for having a lawn or a meadow or for harvesting rainwater, then the right actions will naturally follow - and the result will be a healthier environment for all of us.  It may not be perfection, but it wil be progress - progress toward a greener planet - which to me means a planet that supports a healthier and therefore happier quality of life!

Your Plants Know What's Right

A client recently asked me why her Rhododendrons didn't bloom this Spring.  The answer to her question is quite simple and logical if you understand nature.  There is an Intelligence to Nature that always results in the right action.  Plants inherently adjust to changes in their environment.  In this situation, the Rhodos did not bloom for a reason.  We can debate those reasons specifically; however, given the understanding that pushing out a Spring blossom takes a tremendous amount of energy, we come to a logical conclusion.

When a plant flowers the energy required is substantial - not unlike blowing up a balloon.  My client's Rhodos adjusted to conserve that energy - of which they have a limited supply stored from the photosynthesis process of the previous season.  The natural Intelligence kicks in to sustain the vitality of the plant for the demands of the oncoming growing season.  If you are fully aware, don't you forgo strenuous activity when you are aware of oncoming obligations and responsibilities?  It's the same here.  Most of us occasionally override these natural impulses.  The result is fatigue and somtimes illness.  Your plants are conditioned to do the right thing.  They understand that sometimes you must forego 'the party' to show up to work on time and perform to your responsibilities.  The right way works - and your plants - Nature - give you clues to right actions.  People complain about stress because they fight the natural course of events.  Tune into nature and you'll minimize the stress in your life and make more of the right choices!

Vastu for Balancing Your Environment

Years ago I began my study of the discipline of Feng Shui at the encouragement of one of my clients.  Back then I hadn't even heard of Feng Shui, while today many of our clients at Treemendous request Feng Shui for their homes and their outdoor environments.  True Feng Shui requires calculations - which doesn't happen to be one of my skillsets.  I am intuitively connected with nature and resist things like calculations to help me work with and understand it.  This is one reason I have learned to also apply Vastu as an adjunct to Feng Shui when working to balance a space or enivronment. 

What is Vastu?  It is a very similar to Feng Shui and originated in what is present day India; whereas Feng Shui comes from China.  However, Vastu is more intuitive in that it follows patterns many of us understand.  The sun rises in the east and this orientation is where we look to for enlightenment - or in today's society - it's the direction you want to face when you are doing creative work such as writing.  Guess which direction I'm facing right now? 

The sun sets in the west and that is where you naturally adjust your activities toward the end of the day.  We all love to watch the setting sun in the west.   This activity grounds us.  And, if you are developing your landscape, you'll want to enhance the earthy qualities of the western portion of your property by 'weighting' or grounding it with soil, organic gardens, or articles such as clay planters.  These treatments anchor the space and those that use it.  They also serve to help retain the creative energy that flows from the east.  However you approach the balancing of your environment, it's interesting to discover that when properly applied, both Feng Shui and Vastu deliver similar results.  This only proves that these systems are both valid as much today as they were thousands of years ago.   

Enjoyment of Green - Not Soylent Green!

Scientists are beginning to come to grips with the dramatic changes we are experiencing in our environment.  Just yesterday we marked a record high of 79 degrees in Chicago - in March!.  It was actually quite warm at a time when we are used to getting that last big snowfall.  In fact, we've been known to experience snow in April and May in the windy city.  But not to worry -- scientists are now running computer models to simulate the changes being observed to predict "future climates."  Just a  few weeks ago, they weren't certain that global warming was a reality.  Now they've come to the conclusion that "some weather patterns may disappear entirely."  Oops!  Did we do that, we'll be asking ourselves in a few years?  Is it possible we could overrun this environment to the point where a present- day Soylent Green becomes plausible?  While I don't want to go there, it is a thought that came to mind.  Of course, I'm only referring to the mismanagement of our environment, not the infamous food substance mentioned in the last line of the movie!

The interesting thing is that the disappearance of specific climates and environments won't leave an empty hole, but will create new environments.  What will they be?  Will they provide the enjoyment we now derive from nature.  The spin I'm beginning to see is along the lines of "we had too much ice in Siberia anyway."  I guess now we can look forward to beaches and waterfront developments in these areas?  Let's hope we don't have to go there either.  Let's hope we appreciate the balance that Nature provides us with and seek to preserve that in whatever ways we can.  Plant a tree.  Take a walk instead of driving.  Most importantly, get out there and enjoy nature now!  Someday you might have to tell your grandchildren what it was like.

More Intelligence of Nature

Bird species in the USA are ranging and staying the winter hundreds of miles north of their normal habatat, according to a recent article in USA Today.  Experts conclude this is a "possible sign of adaptation to global warming.  Of course, in our exacting world, this remains to be proven - just as we've yet to prove smoking causes cancer.   The experts further comment, "We won't know for certain until we have another twenty years of data."  I'm speechless!  Which is hardly a good thing when you are blogging:). Who are these 'experts?'

Similar evidence is being noted with native plants being found hundreds of miles north of their usual climate zones.  Why do we have to agonize over data before taking remedial measures?  Plants and animals adapt - it is a natural and expected product of their behavior.  We respond to influences in our environment.  Of course, there is a name for not responding favorably to changes in your environment.  It's called stress.  Stress is a choice.  Living in an unsuitable environment is stressful and  plants and animals will respond accordingly, thereby avoiding the stress.  Hmm.... even more lessons from the animal kingdom.  What's going to be really interesting is when the many forces of nature collide.  What happens when a Sandhill Crane shows up in your backyard in Chicago?  That will certainly freak out your Golden Retriever!

The truth is we need to start studying the behavior of living creatures as their actions - their habits and behaviors -- tell us a great deal about our environment.  It's the same as the behavior of customers in the marketplace - they tell you a lot about the 'environment' of products and services in that environment.  For some reason the need for imperical evidence is blinding us to dramatic changes taking place right in front of us.  And all we have to do is tune into the Intelligence of Nature - respecting it - learning from it - and most of all, appreciating it while we still have the opportunity.  Come to think of it, that might even help to save it.

Carbon Offsets - Convenient Truth?

I've always contended that when you do the right thing for your environment, everybody wins.  Yet, now we are creating a market in which 'green credits' are being becoming an interesting currency for social responsibility.  These green credits are called 'carbon offsets.'  You can think of them as energy units -- sort of like calories.  Corporations that deplete the carbon in our environment, such as airlines, offer green-minded consumers of their services the option to donate a few extra dollars to "offset" the damage caused to the environment by their air travel.  These funds go to organizations that then invest the money in green projects such as wind farms, solar energy, or tree planting projects. 

On the surface, this seems to be a good thing - and certainly it's better than nothing at all.  However, one of my concerns are recommendations from those such as The Tufts University Climate Initiative that suggest we "pass on forestry projects because trees aren't reliable absorbers of carbon."  While I can appreciate the measurable, short-term benefits of wind and solar power - which in fact is what I worked on in my graduate work - I hardly can believe that we are going to ignore the benefits of the natural environment which supports us in ways we may not even fully comprehend.

It appears that once again some will choose to ignore the intelligence of nature.  Artificial green solutions aren't going to work any more than that diet coke is going to "offset" the double cheeseburger you had for lunch.  Health is natural and wholisitic and that means getting back to the basics of what worked in the first place.  I begin to envision a world in which we will consider synthetic air and water because we can create it more efficiently than nature herself.  In a time where even traditional hospitals are embracing alternative medicine that has been available to us for centuries, maybe we should consider there is something to recreating the natural environment - to the best of our abilities and our present day society - and recognizing that what we were given in the first place was not just a prototype, but the real thing.  At Treemendous Landscape Company®, we're going to keep planting trees - because they do much more than just trap carbon.  They might even make you smile one hot summer day when you relax in the shade.  Now that's a very convenient truth!

Zero Sum Environment

Why is there so much interest in previously mentioned utility concern TXU?  Why are private-equity firms racing to snatch them up in a leveraged buyout?  They are making money - and plenty of it!  I'm not an expert in regulatory affairs, just the environment.  Yet, as a small business owner who is continuously challenged with eliminating waste to generate greater value for my customers and a reasonable profit,  I'm especially interested in TXU's fat 25% net margin.  How is this possible for an organization that presumably is operating within the constraints of regulators?

Well, it's very simple.  This is only a snapshot in time of the true picture.  You see, there is an Intelligence to Nature - everything balances over time - it's a zero sum game.  The true margins for a concern that pushes out millions of tons of pollutants annually won't be fully realized by our society for some time.  The reason is the opportunity cost of cleaning up our environment will be incurred by future generations and likely won't be traced back to TXU's ledgers.  Case closed, right?

I hope not.  After watching the Oscars last night it's evident there is at least a small movement that will over time generate the awareness necessary to strike a balance between the needs of humanity and the environment which sustains us.  In fact, TXU has even agreed to table plans for eight new coal plants in order to appease environmentalists so they might surmount regulatory hurdles.  Sometimes selfish needs serve a purpose for the betterment of the greater whole.  Hey, sometimes you have to take whatever progress you can get.  Let's take this small victory and run with it. 

There’s Only One Environment – Let’s Take Care of It

First, kudos to Dell Computers for arranging to have trees planted for customers who pay $2 to offset the CO2 generated when a computer is plugged into the power grid. 

Unfortunately, their Dallas based neighbor – TXU – is a company that wants to build  8 -15 coal burning electric facilities in Texas that will generate 78 million tons of CO2 each year!  This is more emissions than the country of Sweden creates in a year. In the United States, 55% of the electricity we use is generated by burning coal.  If you think ethanol is the solution, think again.  You’re still burning a carbon fuel.  Moreover, you’re now creating an arena where food supplies have an alternate energy value and are likely to increase in demand, and therefore price – exacerbating existing food shortages.

It’s time for our leaders to wake up to the fact that we need to start considering a source of energy that is safe for our environment.  Did you know there are abundant supplies of uranium that could fuel the power needs of the world for the next several hundred years if enough effort was focused on mining them?  It’s a clean source of energy – and we certainly have the increased technology and know how to not repeat the isolated accidents that occurred in the seventies.  It gets even better. Most of the uranium supplies are in countries devoid of international conflict –  Canada and Austraila.  And Canada is our friendly neighbor! Can I suggest a meeting – you have the resources and we have technological know how – what do you think?

What does this have to do with your personal environment?  Well, it’s all one environment isn’t it?  It’s really our children’s environment we're playing with. Let’s work together to maintain what we’ve got and create even more beautiful environments that support the quality of life we’ve all come to enjoy. While we feel we’re doing our part here at Treemendous Landscape Company®, our little company can only do so much.  However, organizations like PLANET – The Professional Landcare Network – of which we are a member – is helping to spread the word about the benefits of living environments that enhance the quality of life in the communities we all live in.

Landscape Friends – Plants, Ponds, Pools and Patios

My family recently returned from a vacation in Mexico where me and my son Zak scuba dived for the first time and even earned our scuba diver certifications.  We discovered an amazing world of brightly colored fish – thousands of them - and so friendly in their environment that they swim within inches of your touch! We also encountered a couple of sting rays, trumpet fish, and many other interesting creatures whose names escape me. This fascinating experience gave me a new perspective on the ponds and landscapes Treemendous® creates in the Naperville area.

We probably underestimate the value nature brings to our lives if we don’t spend time immersed in it and hopefully learning how it works. You don’t need to understand the natural interrelationships in your personal landscape to enjoy it, but it can give you a greater appreciation for its value in your life.  Beautiful landscapes are a joy to admire. Yet, they also bring a balance to our lives by reminding us of our role as creatures of nature.  Being the highest on the food chain, we have a responsibility to preserve and protect our environment so that future generations can benefit from it.   

These days suburban landscapes are predominantly comprised of hardscapes – patios, terraces, pools and ponds.  Yet, these man-made elements lose some of their appeal if they are not balanced and accentuated with natural elements like plants and fish that we intuitively connect with.  If you aren’t getting the enjoyment you expect from your landscape, you may be missing one of nature’s ‘friends.’ This spring when you venture out and enjoy the fresh fragrance of nature, think about what’s next in enhancing your environment.

Natural Balance is All Your Plants Want From You

Chicago'€™s cold temperatures and beautiful, fluffy snowfall yesterday are some indication that our environment isn'€™t too out of whack.  I'€™ve have been wondering about this for years as the amount of snowfall we receive has dropped off considerably.  In the last five years we'€™ve been lucky to get more than two decent snowfalls.  What'€™s the importance of this?

Snowfall is a protective blanket that helps to "€œlock-in"€ the frozen soil that your plants are accustomed to.  Your dormant trees and shrubs and perennials need exactly that - “ dormancy -€“ a rest.  This used to be the norm in the Midwest this time of year.  When temperatures frequently fluctuate from significantly above freezing to slightly below, plants don'€™t get the "€œwinter rest" they expect. This need is wired into their DNA so to speak.  This stresses plants. Aren'€™t you stressed the day after being up most of the night when you can'€™t sleep?

This is the same during the summer.  Plants are accustomed "€œby nature" -€“ pun intended -€“ to have a blanket of mulch that minimizes temperature fluctuations and holds in moisture.  This is a naturally occurring situation on the forest floor or the prairie meadow where the ancestors of many of our suburban plants came from.

It's one thing to design and install a magnificent landscape, but "€œcreated"€ or abstracted nature -€“ your landscape -€“ needs to be properly maintained. If you intuitively understand nature or enlist a professional, this is much easier. Regardless of your skills, we all know with 100% certainty -€“ regardless of what some of our political leaders are suggesting -€“ that emissions from burning all types of carbon fuels is affecting the balance in our global environment.  This of course affects your personal environment, so you need to be even more diligent in caring for it -€“ or place your confidence in a company you know and trust.