NEWS
ISA TREE RISK ASSESSMENT
Dick Ratcliff attended the Tree Risk Assessment two day course and passed exam in March, 2011. Outdoor Design Group is happy to announce that Dick is now a Certified Tree Risk Assessor.
ISA CONFERENCE 2010
International Society of Arboriculture annual conference July 26-28, 2010 in Chicago Ill. Our resident certified arborist, Dick Ratcliff, attended multiple seminars ranging from "Tree Biology Through the Seasons" to "What Does Research Tell us about Pruning", to "A Better Way of Estimating Tree Health." These seminars are an excellent way of keeping up with the latest research and up to date practices. This is one more way ODG is keeping ahead of the times for our customers.
OUTDOOR DESIGN GROUP GOES INTERNATIONAL!!!!!!!
Outdoor Design Group (ODG) has the pleasure to share with our clients the news that we have gone "international"! Don't worry; we are not ready to leave Maryland. Yes, we still will do any size project, big or small. ODG recently finished the "Planting Plans" portion of a new residence being built for Mr. and Mrs. Ciccarello of Montreal, Canada. For those of us in the "biz," Mr. Ciccarello happens to be the owner of Techo-Bloc. They manufacture top of the line concrete interlocking pavers and concrete retaining wall blocks. The Ciccarellos are finishing up the final touches on a beautiful home and grounds. They have spared no expense to create the next "Versailles." Everyone at ODG is looking forward to seeing the fruition of such a work of art!
Outdoor Design Group had its work cut out tacking this project since Montreal is what we consider a "Zone 4" in the USDA Climate Zone Map. This is a very cold region for us Marylander's. For example, our state varies between "Zone 6 and Zone 7." No problem! The professionals at ODG have the knowledge to address any project any time and any where. Surprisingly enough, a lot of plant materials that you see in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia can tolerate those northern winters. We were able to provide a colorful banquet of plant materials that will continue to intrigue the Ciccarello's to venture outside and to enjoy the various seasonal accents.
Check back soon for more "up to the minute" news on what Outdoor Design Group is doing next!!!!
EVERYDAY SUNSHINE
As our government continues to figure out how to fix our economy and get people working again, Outdoor Design Group continues to move forward and focus on what we do best. That is to help our customers with anything we can help them with. No matter if it is a tree survey, expert witness consultation or just a front yard hand sketch, we know what allows us to be successful and that is our customer. We continue to grow and it can only get better as the economy turns around. So, thanks for sticking in there with us and we will continue to keep doing what we do.
WORKING FOR THE TROOPS
Outdoor Design Group is proud to announce that we were very fortunate to design an incredible sitting garden for the United States Army. The project was located at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The design called for the removal of a large vacant grass area with a drainage basin and concrete, and replaces it with a beautiful oasis. The garden was created with water features, lighting, benches and wind chimes to help a visitor mentally escape from reality and relax for a moment. The attention to detail incorporated a large native boulder that a local craftsman engraved the local army battalion's information to make it more personal and enjoyable for all of those men and women in our armed forces.
Thank you Uncle Sam for bringing home our troops!!!
Dick Ratcliff is now a Certified Arborist
On January 20, 2010 Dick Ratcliff of Outdoor Design Group passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s exam to become a Certified Arborist. Many state, county, city and commercial projects require a Certified Arborist to review and approve tree preservation and make recommendations on future care. The certification was developed to provide the public and those in government with a means to identify professionals who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed education program and exam, that they have a thorough knowledge of tree care practices. Dick Says, “A Certified Arborist needs to become more involved prior to any residential or commercial construction. Once the damage has occurred to existing trees, or a tree is planted in the wrong place, sometimes little can be done.”
Dick Ratcliff has a BS degree in horticulture, landscape design with a minor in forestry and has been in the industry for 34 years. He has also been active with many civic organizations and chaired forestry advisory boards over his career. In recognizing the importance of trees, Dick says, “As our understanding increases of how the environment impacts our daily lives, it is evident that trees play an important role in preserving our planet. We all need to do our part in planting, caring for and preserving trees.”
Contact information
Dick Ratcliff
Outdoor Design Group
Ph. 240-778-9549
e-mail dick@outdoordgroup.com
Outdoor Design Group designs and manages project in Florida
Outdoor Design Group was contacted by a residential client in Lakeland who wanted to improve the approach to their home. The sprawling 5 acre estate has a main residence and a detached mother-in-law suite. As a first phase, Outdoor Design Group recommended that a new sidewalk design be created tying the house and mother-in-law suite together with the driveway. Wide sidewalks were recommended to keep in proper proportion with the property. Pavers were recommended for two reasons. First to meet the clients budget and second to use colors accenting the house with an earth tone core bringing out the natural beauty of the estate. The clients, having recently moved back from Indonesia, had several large stone garden pieces they wanted incorporated into the landscape. Islands were created to accommodate these pieces adding interest and keeping the large sidewalk from looking too massive. The result is a welcoming flowing entrance from the driveway to the home with secondary walks to the mother-in-law suite.
Soon to come on this page: