C_Editorial Preview

205-349-2990 | R A N DA L L R E I L LY.CO M/CO N S T R U C T I O N Chemical Care: Ash Borer Update Since the emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered near Detroit in the summer of 2002, it has killed well over 50 million ash trees in more than 20 states and two Canadian provinces. A large and growing effort to eradicate EAB has taken shape in the past decade, yet the pest continues to spread, having been found in Louisiana for the first time earlier this year. We'll look at the current status of the infestation, its costs to date and the most successful efforts to fight it. Safety Watch: Ladders Landscape workers may scoff at the need for safety training when it comes to ladders – a tool they've used throughout their lives. For company owners, however, the cost of on-the-job injuries justifies regular reminders about the do's and don'ts of ladder safety. Design/Build: Grass or No Grass In the desert Southwest, especially California, where the phrase "drought shaming" entered the lexicon this year, efforts to do away with natural-grass lawns continue apace. But California isn't the only place where the case against turf is gaining adherents. Meanwhile, defenders of grass lawns point to their environmental benefits, particularly in urban landscapes. We'll examine both sides' arguments in this continuing debate. Business Bests: Design Software Software packages for landscape designers continue to blossom, with new vendors regularly popping up to seek a piece of the market. We'll share designers' views on which packages offer genuinely robust functionality and which don't. Landscape architects and other designers also share their wish-lists for the next round of software updates. WHAT'S ONLINE NOVEMBER 2015 EDITORIAL PREVIEW

• Cover