Barton Hills Residential Landscape Design

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Project Description

Maas Verde Landscape Restoration worked very closely with this residential client in the Barton Hills neighborhood of Austin, TX to create a custom landscape design. Our landscape design team worked dynamically and designed onsite to ensure that the installation was unique and incorporated the site’s existing natural elements.

We used masonry to construct gravel walkways with artistic limestone rock work as borders with native plantings. The walkways were treated as outlets for stormwater, so accurate grading was a key component of the design. This project is a fantastic example of how well the design process can work when trust exists between the client and landscape designer.

Project Details

Skills Needed:

HardscapingLandscape DesignLandscape InstallationNative Ecology Expertise

Prescribed Burn for Land Management

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Project Description

A controlled or prescribed burn, also known as hazard reduction burning, backfire, swailing, or a burn-off, is a fire set intentionally for purposes of forest management, farming, prairie restoration, or greenhouse gas abatement. Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was hired to safely execute a prescribed burn on a property in Central Texas to reduce dead biomass build-up, decrease non-native plant competition, increase the potential for other native species to take hold, increase soil temperature by allowing sunlight to hit the ground instead of dead thatch, and control Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) encroachment.

Because safely executing a controlled burn relies on varied factors like the weather and humidity, it can be a challenge to schedule a burn. The conditions have to be within a certain range in order for a burn to be executed safely and confidently. During the event, clear and consistent communication of safety procedures is critical for a successful outcome.

The Maas Verde team held a safety and procedure meeting before splitting up into groups and using radios to stay in constant communication across the fields. Two ATVs carrying water tanks and sprayers were employed, and drip torches were used to ignite burn lines. One crew was dedicated solely to ensuring the fire did not jump the mowed lines. This client is a repeat client on a cadence of every 24 months for sustainable land management.

Project Details

Skills Needed:

Controlled Burn
Sustainability Education

San Gabriel Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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Project Description:

Founded in 2007 San Gabriel UU Fellowship is comprised of people of many beliefs and backgrounds. Located near the heart of historic Old Town across the street from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, their building is both traditional and contemporary, and it reflects their commitment to the inclusion of people of all ages, abilities, and mobility.

Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to construct a concrete sidewalk, French drain system, and a large deck. The deck and sidewalk had to meet perfectly, so the Maas Verde team ensured that the grading and elevation were perfect. The construction area was prone to flooding during heavy rain, requiring a creative approach to ensure the project’s success.

The amount of water coming down from two different off-site parking lots from other churches was a significant issue. In order to accommodate rainfall during construction, the team manufactured a custom concrete drain box that was capable of taking on a significant amount of water. The French drain was designed and installed with a high capacity for stormwater, and the Maas Verde team constructed two rain gardens downstream of the deck to slow the water down at various points.This innovative addition allows for water to seep into the ground and lessens the load on the drainage system. By mitigating impervious cover and creating natural catchment areas for the rainfall, the team able to design with nature in mind and provide an effective sidewalk and landscape solution. The sidewalk met ADA compliance and a ramp was constructed to provide ease of access for everyone. This custom French drain box (24″^3) was fabricated off-site.

Project Details

Skills Needed:

Hardscaping
Irrigation
Landscape Design
Landscape Installation
Native Ecology Expertise
Patio & Accessory Construction


 

Pease Park Retaining Wall

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Project Description:

The goal of the Pease Park Conservancy is for Pease Park to be known as an accessible urban green space for play, adventure, and connectivity, where land stewardship, environmental innovation, and inclusive programming embrace the community’s history and inspire its future. Maas Verde Landscape Restoration was engaged to construct a retaining wall adjacent to North Lamar in furtherance of that vision.

Safety is always a priority at Maas Verde, but because this construction took place in a public park with public access, it became a highlight of the project for both workers and parkgoers. Using anchored cinderblocks as the structural base, our team constructed a secure retaining wall reinforced by rebar and finished with natural limestone. We worked with stakeholders in the Pease Park Conservancy (a 501(c)3 non-profit) and the City of Austin to ensure that the project exceeded expectations.

Project Details

Skills Needed:

HardscapingLandscape DesignLandscape InstallationTrail Design

“Advice from a Tree” by Ilan Shamir

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Dear Friend, Stand Tall and Proud Sink your roots deeply into the Earth Reflect the light of a greater source Think long term Go out on a limb Remember your place among all living beings Embrace with joy the changing seasons For each yields its own abundance The Energy and Birth of Spring The Growth and Contentment of Summer The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter Feel the wind and the sun And delight in their presence Look up at the moon that shines down upon you And the mystery of the stars at night. Seek nourishment from the good things in life Simple pleasures Earth, fresh air, light Be content with your natural beauty Drink plenty of water Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes Be flexible Remember your roots Enjoy the view!

Tree Trimming Basics

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Tree trimming is an art and a science. One has to consider tree biology while removing limbs strategically over time. Tree trimming should not be viewed as a one-time effort. Trees continue to grow, and it is important for us in the tree care industry to be able to adjust over time to environmental conditions and the specific needs of a tree. 

One can have many different reasons for trimming a tree, like promoting the health of a given tree, trimming infected limbs by parasitic species, trimming specific limbs to maintain access to walkways or driveways, trimming limbs away from structures and power lines to prevent structural damage and mitigate safety concerns, and trimming specific limbs to cater to a homeowner’s aesthetic value. 

The above-mentioned reasons for tree trimming are particularly important in urban environments. There are many different environmental pressures at play in our urban areas that have an effect on a given tree’s life cycle that differs from a tree growing on acreage in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion. Also, humans live in close proximity to these trees in urban areas, therefore we need to manage them to accommodate our needs while maintaining a tree’s health and well-being. 

Both Fall and Winter are great times to give your existing trees some love through tree trimming. This time of year, most trees are going dormant by slowing down photosynthesis and relying more upon stored energy obtained during the Spring and Summer months. Trees will also invest more energy towards root growth during this time of year instead of canopy growth. For red oaks (Quercus texana) and live oaks (Quercus virginiana), this time of year is ideal to trim their canopies, because oak wilt (Ceratocystis fagacearum), a parasitic fungi, is not active during colder months. We are not allowed by most cities to trim live oaks and red oaks during February 1st – June 30th timeframe, because that is when oak wilt is likely to be active. Considering climate change over time, this timeframe could change oak wilt’s active months.

Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference in San Antonio

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Maas Verde had a great opportunity the weekend of November 9 – 11, 2018, to be a part of the Texas Society for Ecological Restoration Conference in San Antonio.

We learned about all the interesting research going on in the restoration ecology field. This is important because Maas Verde uses an ecological lens designing, installing and maintaining our client’s landscapes. It is important for researchers, managers, and practitioners to continue to connect and share information in order to bridge the information gap between disciplines and to ensure up-to-date knowledge is being discussed and shared.