Most cities manage their urban forests on gut instinct and aging data, and on this episode of Rooted in Innovation, presented by Tree Staple, host Dionisio Roman talks with Josh Behounek, a 25-year consulting arborist at Davey Tree Expert Company, about how that's changing. Josh explains how Davey's partnership with tech company Greehill uses LiDAR scanning and AI to build a full digital twin of a city's tree canopy, why leaf area index and percent dieback have become the strongest predictors of a tree's health, and how a two-year rescan cycle is finally giving city foresters a closed feedback loop on their removal and pruning decisions. The conversation also covers what it takes to build a 20-year urban forest master plan that survives a change in city administration, with real examples from Pittsburgh, Knoxville, Louisville, and Atlanta. If you manage green infrastructure for a city or just want to understand the strategy behind the trees lining your streets, this episode lays it out.

Timecodes:
00:01 – 02:10 | Meet Josh Behounek: 25 Years at Davey Tree's Consulting Division
02:10 – 04:30 | From Pen and Paper to GIS Maps: A Brief History of Tree Inventories
04:30 – 07:41 | Building Smart Tree Inventory: The Microsoft Grant That Started It All
07:41 – 11:31 | The Real Cost of Outdated Data for City Foresters
11:31 – 14:40 | Inside the Scan: LiDAR Hardware, the Greehill Partnership, and Scanning Atlanta
14:40 – 18:19 | What AI Extracts From Every Tree, and Atlanta vs. Louisville's Approach
18:19 – 22:05 | The Metrics That Matter: Leaf Area Index, Dieback, Lean Angle, and Trunk Stability
22:05 – 26:21 | Comparing Cities and Closing the Two-Year Feedback Loop
26:21 – 28:40 | Why Trees Actually Fail: Debunking the Included Bark Myth
28:40 – 31:49 | Who Owns the Urban Forest? Jurisdiction and Private Land Challenges
31:49 – 33:42 | Building a 20-Year Master Plan: Lessons From Pittsburgh and Knoxville
33:42 – 36:44 | Getting Developers to the Table on Tree Preservation
36:44 – 40:12 | Surviving Administration Turnover, Equity, and Rising Heat Priorities
40:12 – 42:06 | The Industry's Storytelling Problem
42:06 – 44:18 | Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Resources:
Connect with Dionisio Roman (Host) on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dionisio-roman-iii-6a228590/
Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mancini-743b386/
Connect with Josh Behounek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshbehounek/
Learn more about Davey Tree Expert Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-davey-tree-expert-company/
Follow Tree Staple on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tree-staple-inc

The 2025 LA wildfires exposed a hard truth: most of what we think makes neighborhoods fire safe is wrong. Landscape architect Gary Lai, founder of quixotic Nature Based Solutions and a professor at Cal Poly Pomona, lived three miles from the Eaton Fire and saw firsthand what worked and what failed.

In this episode, hosts Dionisio Roman III and Ethan Hartzel talk with Gary about why 80 years of fire suppression policy set the stage for today's mega fires, why ember driven fires (not the main fire front) destroy most homes, and what a true fire adaptive community looks like in practice, from home hardening to evacuation planning to strong neighbor networks.

If you work near the wildland urban interface or have defaulted to the standard "clear everything" fire safety playbook, this episode will change how you think about the problem. Learn more at quixotic Nature Based Solutions.

Timecodes:

00:00 – 01:13 | Intro and Welcoming Ethan Hartzel

01:13 – 04:07 | Meet Gary Lai and the Fire Adaptive Community Framework

04:07 – 05:48 | How Gary Got Into Fire Ecology and Landscape Design

05:48 – 09:26 | Living Through the Eaton Fire: A Firsthand Account

09:26 – 14:42 | 80 Years of Fire Suppression and Why It Backfired

14:42 – 17:35 | Native Plants, Ember Fires, and Why Oak Trees Save Homes

17:35 – 21:05 | The Landscape Isn't the Villain: What Actually Burns Houses

21:05 – 24:31 | What Is a Fire Adaptive Community

24:31 – 28:36 | Home Hardening, Infrastructure, and Why Community Survival Matters Most

28:36 – 32:29 | The Insurance Crisis and the Real Cost of Rebuilding

32:29 – 38:06 | What Landscape Architects Should Do Differently During Rebuilding

38:06 – 41:10 | Lessons From Greece, Australia, and Other Fire Prone Regions

41:10 – 44:05 | Climate Change, Unpredictable Drought, and Why Insurers Are Pulling Out

44:05 – 48:43 | The Eaton Fire's Impact on Altadena and Questions of Equity

48:43 – 52:52 | Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More About Gary's Work

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com

Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn

Connect with Dionisio Roman III on LinkedIn
Connect with Gary Lai on LinkedIn on LinkedIn

Connect with quixotic Nature Based Solutions on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Rooted in Innovation

Brandon Comstock went from selling mattresses on commission to building Landscapers by Nature into a 60-person operation serving multifamily and HOA properties in Calgary, then sold the entire business. Now he's building SiteDNA, software designed to solve the exact problems he lived through as an operator.

In this episode, hosts Dionisio Roman and Ethan Hartzel unpack how Brandon went from helping his dad run a small garage-based crew to scaling a specialized landscaping company worth acquiring. They explore the non-negotiable operational systems that made the business sellable, the mistakes landscape account managers make daily that cost them money, and how rethinking property management creates competitive advantage.

Whether you're running a landscape operation or thinking about your own exit, Brandon reveals the principles that made his company valuable and how SiteDNA is building the shortcuts he wishes he'd had.

Timecodes:

00:00 – 00:27 | Intro and Show Overview

00:27 – 01:22 | Brandon's Background and Journey into Landscaping

01:49 – 02:31 | Starting from High School and Mattress Sales

02:31 – 04:16 | The Move to Calgary and First Landscape Crew

04:39 – 05:50 | Trial by Fire: Learning the Landscape Business

05:50 – 06:41 | Growing the Business with His Father

06:41 – 08:15 | Leaving to Prove Himself and Building His Own Company

08:15 – 09:40 | Landing First Contracts and the Multi-Family Niche

09:40 – 11:50 | Why Specialization Beats Being a Generalist

11:50 – 13:40 | Building Systems and Removing Yourself from Critical Path

13:40 – 15:30 | Account Manager Leverage and Property Management Innovation

15:30 – 17:20 | The Real Problem with Landscape Operations

17:20 – 19:15 | How Long-Term Planning Increases Customer Retention

19:15 – 21:00 | Preparing the Company for Sale

21:00 – 23:30 | The Exit and What Made the Business Valuable

23:30 – 25:10 | Life After the Exit and Building SiteDNA

25:10 – 28:15 | The Problem SiteDNA Solves

28:15 – 30:40 | How SiteDNA Makes Account Managers More Effective

30:40 – 35:20 | Product Features and Account Manager Workflow

35:20 – 39:45 | Spreading Team Capacity and Supporting New Managers

39:45 – 41:20 | Long-Term Planning and Customer Communication

41:20 – 43:45 | Making Account Management More Turnkey

43:45 – 44:52 | SiteDNA Product Launch and Waitlist

44:52 – 46:42 | Integrations and AI-Ready Architecture

46:42 – 47:37 | Brandon's Vision and the Shortcut He's Building

47:37 – 48:21 | Outro

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com

Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn

Connect with Dionisio Roman III on LinkedIn
Connect with Brandon Comstock on LinkedIn

SiteDNA: https://sitedna.ai

Subscribe to Rooted in Innovation

On this episode of Rooted in Innovation, we sit down with Joseph Marker, owner of Marker Elevated Landscapes, to explore what it really means to lead a residential landscape firm with vision.

From his signature 3-2-1 design process to his hybrid use of drone imagery and hand-drawing, Joe walks us through the artistic, technical, and deeply personal aspects of designing meaningful outdoor spaces. We also hear the story behind a 144-acre Tuscan-inspired estate, why Vastu Shastra shaped its layout, and how Joe honors the legacy of his family business while pushing the boundaries of what modern landscape design can be.

Whether you’re a designer, contractor, or homeowner, this episode will challenge the way you think about space, communication, and the role of technology in the design-build process.

Timecodes

00:00 – 01:21 - Intro: Meet Joseph Marker and Marker Elevated Landscapes
01:22 – 03:16 - The 3-2-1 Design Process: From Concept to Master Plan
03:17 – 05:12 - Inspiration Sources: Travel, Books, Social Media & Gardens
05:13 – 07:06 - Drone-Backed Hand Drawings: Communicating Clearly with Clients
07:07 – 10:14 - The Role of Process in Avoiding Miscommunication
10:15 – 13:32 - Flexibility, Late Nights & Sunrise Site Visits
13:33 – 16:04 - Designing a 144-Acre Tuscan Estate in Pennsylvania
16:05 – 17:35 - Applying Vastu Shastra Principles to Landscape Design
17:36 – 20:00 - Flat Lots, Rolling Hills, and the Role of the Client
20:01 – 22:06 - Maintenance: Growing Slowly and Preserving Quality
22:07 – 24:49 - Family Legacy: Honoring His Father’s Company & Vision
24:50 – 27:11 - Leadership, Hard Work, and What Joe Learned from His Dad
27:12 – 29:21 - Low-Maintenance Design, Deer Pressure & Plant Strategy
29:22 – 32:06 - Golf Course Inspiration & Finding Creativity Outdoors
32:07 – 34:49 - Designing Par-3 Greens for Clients (and for Fun)
34:50 – 37:19 - Tree Favorites, Annual Preferences, and Unique Palettes
37:20 – 39:58 - Final Reflections: Communication, Creativity, and Vision

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that uncovers the ebbs and flows of industry shifts, marketing strategies, and the essence of genuine connections in business. From the subtle nuances of spec writing to the evolving role of digital tools, explore a tapestry of insights woven with personal anecdotes and practical wisdom. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a curious listener, this episode offers an engaging glimpse into the dynamic world of modern business.

Timecodes:

Engaging Insights and Industry Trends (00:00 - 19:59)
Sales Strategies and Marketing Insights (20:00 - 23:59)
Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities (24:00 - 29:59)
Spec Writing Dynamics and Industry Challenges (30:00 - 33:59)
Privacy Concerns and Technological Impact (34:00 - 35:59)
Brian’s Personal Passions: Cycling and Painting (36:00 - 39:59)
Anecdotes and Entertaining Experiences (40:00 - 43:06)

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com
Connect with Jim Mancini on Linkedin
Connect with Brian Miller on LinkedIn

In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, our hosts continue the conversation with Perry Russo, the owner of All County Irrigation. Perry shares his extensive experience and knowledge about modern irrigation systems, highlighting the technical aspects of spray heads, drip irrigation, and rotary heads. The conversation takes a look at the latest innovations in the irrigation industry, including Wi-Fi controllers and wireless solenoids, and addresses common challenges contractors and homeowners face in maintaining efficient irrigation systems. Perry provides insights on how irrigation systems are integral to maintaining landscape investments, offering practical tips and wisdom to both contractors and homeowners alike.

Timecodes:
00:00 – Introduction
00:27 – Working with Reliable Irrigation Experts
01:38 – Choosing the Right Landscapers
02:24 – The Difference Between Spray Heads, Rotary Heads, and Drip Irrigation
05:30 – Working with New Contractors
06:13 – Adapting to New Irrigation Technologies
09:13 – Wi-Fi Controllers and Remote System Management
10:03 – Dealing with Customer Complaints
11:21 – Homeowners Adjusting Irrigation Settings
13:25 – The Importance of Proper Water Source and Backflow Preventers
14:50 – Water Usage Analysis and Client Education
16:17 – Favorite Irrigation Projects
17:25 – Advice for Homeowners
19:12 – Outro

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com

Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn

Connect with Perry Russo on LinkedIn

What does it take to bring a brand-new building product to market and actually make it stick? In this episode, veteran market developer Taron Young shares insights from 20+ years in the construction and building materials industry. From code compliance to product education, distribution channels to holding spec, Taron breaks down what it really takes to go from unknown to industry standard.

This one’s for builders, specifiers, product manufacturers—and anyone trying to launch something new in an old-school industry.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Intro to Rooted in Innovation and guest Taron Young
01:45 – Taron’s background and current role in building materials
03:00 – Why most product launches fail: market research mistakes
06:15 – Finding early adopters and incentivizing them the right way
08:45 – The role of distribution and channel development
10:00 – Tariffs, pricing strategy, and maintaining integrity
16:25 – Understanding and influencing specifiers and builders
21:45 – Holding the spec: how to protect your product from being swapped
25:05 – What true market development looks like (vs. sales)
27:00 – Why you need trust and long-term relationships in this business
30:00 – How technology has changed sales—but not relationships
34:45 – Advice for launching new products: don’t skip the research
38:30 – Final thoughts: check your ego, listen, and partner well

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com
Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn
Connect with Taron Young on LinkedIn
Connect with Dionisio Roman III on LinkedIn

In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, our hosts sit down with Perry Russo, the owner of All County Irrigation. Perry shares his journey from college student to irrigation expert, providing insights into the technical challenges and innovations in the field. Learn how Perry’s hands-on approach and passion for design have set his company apart, and discover the latest advancements in irrigation technology that are shaping the future of landscaping.

Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - Perry Russo's Journey
01:50 - Why Irrigation?
03:01 - What Sets All County Irrigation Apart
04:14 - The Purpose of Irrigation Systems
05:15 - Innovations in Irrigation Technology
07:15 - Digital Challenges and Maintenance
09:13 - Design Considerations for Landscape Architects
10:52 - Working with Landscape Architects
12:28 - Water Source and Irrigation Needs
14:27 - Dealing with Hard Water
17:18 - Sponsorship Segment
19:01 - Balancing Budget and Quality

Resources:

Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com

Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn

Connect with Perry Russo on LinkedIn