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Some landscapers expect a busy spring as people repair snow-related damage Date published: 2/18/2010
BY BILL FREEHLING The Leyland cypress trees outside Diane and Ted Clark's Fredericksburg home provided a nice privacy fence. But the trees proved no match for the Feb. 5-6 storm, the second one this winter that dumped more than a foot of snow on the region. The storm knocked down at least six of the Clarks' cypress trees in addition to some big branches at their Dandridge Street home. The privacy fence is no more. "They just all came down," Diane Clark said. "We have a clear vision now." The Clarks will be calling in professional landscapers to repair the damage come springtime. And they could have plenty of company. "I definitely think it will be a good spring," said Kelly Sullivan, co-owner of Ground Keepers of Olde Towne Fredericksburg. Sam Wells, who manages ValleyCrest Landscape Co.'s branch in Spotsylvania County, isn't so sure. He said there will definitely be damage repairs, but he thinks all the money that has been spent on snow removal will leave less cash for landscaping extras. He also noted that the economy remains fairly weak, and that landscaping is one easy thing to cut. "People have already spent so much of their budgets on snow," Wells said. Wells did point out that landscapers have done much of the snow removal work, and that has provided a short-term boost. He thinks contractors who repair roads and sidewalks will get more work after the snow melts. Tree removal companies in the Fredericksburg area report that they've been slammed with calls as people ask for service getting fallen limbs off their lawns, streets or roofs. Rob Allen, local manager for Bartlett Tree Experts, thinks this will be the company's busiest spring in a few years, due to the harsh winter and people having put off projects for two years because of the economy. "Trees are stressed out" from the winter damage, Allen said. Smaller landscaping problems may also be revealed once the huge piles of snow melt. Homeowners have had to shovel snow off their driveways and sidewalks, and in the back-breaking moment they're often not too concerned where it ends up. That means much of the snow lands on top of carefully planted landscaping. Snow plows may have done a number on yards and plants. "Most lawns are extremely damaged," Sullivan said. "They gouged the ground pretty good." Smaller shrubs will probably be hit especially hard, said Troy Dawson, president of Art & Sign F/X Inc. in Stafford County, which has a landscaping division. There will also be drainage issues and root-rotting. Landscapers are always the busiest in the spring, and that promises to be more true than ever this year. Many need the boost. Unless companies have been "pushing snow," all the accumulation has made this a bleak season, Dawson said. The snow has delayed projects. "This has hurt a lot of companies," he said. Which is why Dawson echoes the thoughts held by countless area residents. "Hopefully spring comes soon." Bill Freehling: 540/374-5405
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