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Landscape Management

Landscape Management Team

UI-02-160520-026_size The landscape management team presents a beautiful, safe and accessible exterior environment to the campus community throughout the year. As part of the landscape management team's duties, we provide efficient, cost-effective stewardship of natural and built campus assets.

Our services include:
+ Sustainable Landscape Design, Construction and Maintenance
+ Project Staging and Restoration
+ Outdoor Waste and Recycling Collection
+ Site Furnishings
+ Support for Donor Trees and Endowed Landscapes
+ Support for the university's continued certification of Tree Campus USA and Bee Campus USA

Grounds & Landscape Services

The Grounds department is responsible for providing detailed care for 930 acres of the campus's landscape throughout the year. Additionally, they care for the more than 16,000 trees on campus. During the winter they manage snow and ice on over 90 miles of sidewalks and 10 miles of bike paths. The department currently has 47 positions which include a superintendent, a foreman, four sub-foremen, two tree surgeons, a grounds equipment mechanic and 38 grounds workers with including two dedicated to full-time trash removal. The campus is divided into four grounds maintenance zones, with one sub-foreman in each zone.

Campus Landscape Architecture

The University Landscape Architect oversees site development on the main campus and auxiliaries, including the Allerton Park & Retreat Center. All changes to the fabric of campus support the mission of our institution, balancing the needs of aesthetics for staff and students, attracting prospective students and donors, education uses, and sustainability.

Grounds - Seasonal Services

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Spring (March-May)

• Sanitation
• Garbage route
• Possibly starting on repairing lawn damage due to snow/ice removal
• Cut back ornamental grasses and perennials
• Pre-emerge fertilizer and pre-emerge in perennial beds
• Mow the Low Mow Zones
• Remove cabs from the mowers
• Lawn repairs
• Weed control
• Bed edging
• Chipping
• Fertilizing
• Mowing
• Commencement prep
• Install pansies (early annuals)
• Turn on irrigation systems
• Edging walks
• Overseeding
• Aeration tree/shrub planting
• Move-out cleanup
Summer (May-August)

•  Sanitation
•  Garbage route
• Commencement
•  Prep mowing
•  Weed control
•  Turn on irrigation systems
•  Edging walks
•  Fertilizing
•  Overseeding
•  Aeration tree/shrub planting
•  Annual flower planting
•  Move-out cleanup
•  After Commencement annual planting
•  Watering up to 2-3 year old trees/shrubs
•  Watering annuals
•  Project work
•  If needed, mow the Low Mow Zones
•  Watering
•  Edging
•  Chipping
•  Move-in prep
•  Shear hedge
•  Grub scouting
•  Fall flower planting
Fall (September-November)

•  Sanitation
•  Garbage route
•  Mowing
•  Weed control
•  Watering
•  Overseeding
•  Lawn renovations
•  Fertilizing
•  Leaf removal
•  Prep leaf equipment
•  Weed control on irrigated lawns
•  Tree/shrub planting
•  Deep root feeding on 2-3 year old trees and stressed trees
•  Go through snow//ice removal equipment
•  Winterize fertilization
•  Sod installs
•  Put cabs on mowers
•  Start hand pruning
•  Cut perennials
Winter (December-February)

• Sanitation
• Garbage Route
• Snow Removal
• Leaf Removal
• Hand Pruning
• Cut perennials
• Shrub rejuvenation
• Leaf removal
• Chipping
Year-Round

• Tree pruning and removals
• Pothole patching

Landscape Services/Grounds Service Levels

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign service level definition

APPA Attention Levels are used as a basis for Grounds department service levels.

Service Levels:

Service Level designations are evaluated regularly to reflect changes in the campus and reductions or increases in the landscape maintenance budget.

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Level 1
State-of-the-art maintenance applied to a high-quality diverse landscape. Associated with high-traffic urban areas, such as public squares, malls, government grounds, or college/university campuses.
- Based upon funding constraints we do not currently provide Level 1 on our campus.
Level 2
High level maintenance. Associated with well-developed public areas, malls, government grounds, or college/university campuses. Recommended level for most organizations
Level 3
Moderate-level maintenance. Associated with locations that have Moderate to low levels of development or visitation, or with operations that, because of budget restrictions, cannot afford a higher level of maintenance.
- TURF CARE. Grass cut once every five working days or as needed. Normally not aerated unless turf quality indicates a need or in anticipation of an application of fertilizer. Reseeding or resodding done only when noticeable or major bare spots appear. Weed control measures normally used when 50 percent of small areas are weed infested or when 15 percent of the general turf is infested with weeds.
- FERTILIZER. Select locations designated as Level are fertilized per the following. Applied when needed to maintain moderate to good turf vigor. Rate based upon program on page 76. Refer to page 76 for Partial Fertilizer and Weed Control for Non-Irrigated turf program.
- IRRIGATION. No irrigation for this level.
- LITTER CONTROL. Minimum service of two to three times per week. High use may dictate higher levels during the warm season.
- PRUNING. When required for health or reasonable appearance. Usually done at least once every two to three years unless species planted dictate more frequent attention.
- DISEASE AND INSECT CONTROL. Done only to address epidemics or serious complaints. Control measures may be put into effect when the health or survival of the plant material is threatened or when public comfort is an issue. Refer to the Integrated Pest Management plan on pages 68-70.
- SNOW REMOVAL. Snow typically removed the 24 hour period following snowfall. Snowmelt may be used to reduce ice accumulation.
- SURFACES. Cleaned on a complaint basis. Repaired or replaced as budget allows.
- REPAIRS. Should be done whenever safety or function is in question.
- INSPECTIONS. Inspections are conducted once per week. Typically this is more on an informal basis when a Grounds worker is in the area they are trained to observe conditions and report or address issues.
- FLORAL PLANTINGS. Normally, no more complex than two rotations of bloom per year. Care cycle is usually at least once per week with watering being typically 3 times per week. Health and vigor dictate cycle of fertilization and disease control. Beds essentially kept weed free. Includes annuals, perennials, flowering trees and shrubs.
Level 4
Moderately low-level maintenance. Associated with locations where a less intensive approach is deemed appropriate and/or affected by budget restrictions that cannot afford a high level of maintenance.
- TURF CARE. Low-frequency mowing scheduled based on species. Low growing grasses may not be mowed. High grasses may receive periodic mowing. Weed control limited to legal requirements for noxious weeds.
- FERTILIZER. Not fertilized.
- IRRIGATION. No irrigation.
- LITTER CONTROL. Once per week or less. Complaints may increase level above one servicing.
- PRUNING. No regular trimming. Safety or damage from weather may dictate actual work schedule.
- DISEASE AND INSECT CONTROL. None except where the problem is epidemic and the epidemic condition threatens resources or the public.
- SNOW REMOVAL. Snow typically removed the 24 hour period following snowfall. Snowmelt may be used to reduce ice accumulation.
- SURFACES. Replaced or repaired when safety is a concern and when budget is available.
- REPAIRS. Should be done whenever safety or function is in question.
- INSPECTIONS. Typically this is more on an informal basis when a Grounds worker is in the area they are trained to observe conditions and report or address issues.
- FLORAL PLANTINGS. None. May have wildflowers, perennials, flowering trees, or shrubs in place.

Drought Policy

State of Illinois map - showing how the drought counties are identifed The Grounds department uses the drought intensity scale from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Illinois drought monitor map to determine when local conditions meet specific criteria.

During these periods, turf management, water irrigation, and flower, tree, and plant care on the Urbana campus will occur based on the steps outlined in the Grounds Drought Policy. The following plans will be implemented when local conditions meet the listed drought intensities.

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Abnormally Dry Conditions

1) Reduce mowing on non-irrigated turf
2) Set irrigation systems to run 3 days a week
3) Water annuals 3 days per week, M-W-F (water with water wagons and drip hoses)
4) Water 1-2 year old trees/shrubs 2 days per week, Tu-Th (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)

-During abnormally dry conditions, if fully staffed, Grounds will be able to water all of the annual flowers and 1-2 year old trees without affecting other daily maintenance needs.
Moderate Drought Conditions

1) Stop mowing low level turf areas
2) Reduce mowing on irrigated areas
3) Continue to set the irrigation systems to run 3 days a week
4) Water annuals 3 days per week, M-W-F (water with water wagons and drip hoses)
5) Water 1-3 year old trees 2 days per week, Tu-Th (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)
6) Water select established perennial beds once a week, M (overhead sprinklers and drip hoses)

-During moderate drought conditions, if fully staffed, Grounds will be watering the annual flowers, 1-3 year old trees and select perennial beds. Reduced mowing, due to the dry conditions, allows us to provide these services with minimal impact to the daily maintenance needs of campus. Expect to start seeing outward signs of stress on trees planted within two or three years and established trees located in parking islands and parkways. The turf will also start to go dormant and appear off color to brown.
Severe Drought Conditions

1) Stop mowing all non-irrigated turf
2) Reduce mowing on irrigated turf
3) Reduce irrigation systems to 2 days per week, longer cycles
4) Water 1-3 year old trees and select *specimen trees 3 days per week, Tu-W-Th (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)
5) Deeply water annual ground beds once per week, M (water with water wagons and drip hoses)
6) Water annual flower containers and urns twice a week, M-F (water with water wagons and drip hoses)
7) Water select perennial beds once per week, F (overhead sprinklers and drip hoses)

-During severe drought conditions, even fully staffed, Grounds will not be able to keep up with the watering of 1-3 year old trees, select *specimen trees, annuals and perennial beds without reducing the following services: sanitation, mulching, leaf pick-up and weed control. Expect to see several stressed trees with early leaf drop, annual beds to become weak, wilted and weedy, stressed and weedy perennial beds and straw brown turf.
Extreme Drought Conditions

1) Reduce or stop mowing irrigated turf except the President’s House
2) Irrigation systems to once per week except the President’s House
3) Water 1-3 year old trees/shrubs and select *specimen trees 3 days per week, M-W-F (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)
4) Water 3-5 year old stressed trees/shrubs 2 days per week, Tu-Th (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)
5) Stop watering annuals and perennials

-During extreme drought conditions, even fully staffed, Grounds will not be able to keep up with the watering of 1-5 year old trees and select *specimen trees without reducing the following services: watering annuals, perennials, sanitation, mulching, leaf pick-up and weed control. Expect to see several mature trees stressed with early leaf drop, annual and perennial beds will wilt and die becoming mostly weeds, straw brown/orange turf, and irrigated turf will brown and become dormant.
Exceptional Drought Conditions

1) Shut irrigation systems down (water conservation effort)
2) No mowing of any turf
3) Water trees/shrubs 1-5 year old that are in at least in fair health or better 3 days per week, M-W-F (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses
4) Water select specimen trees 2 days per week, Tu-Th (water with water wagons, gator bags and drip hoses)

-During exceptional drought conditions, even fully staffed, Grounds will not be able to keep up with the watering of fair condition or better 1-5 year old trees and select *specimen trees without reducing the following services: watering annuals, perennials, sanitation, mulching, leaf pick-up and weed control. Expect to see all mature trees stressed with early leaf drop, annual and perennial beds will be dead with only weeds, all turf will be straw brown/orange.

*See specimen tree list

University of Illinois Facilities and Services

CONTACTS

Contact

Landscape Management

Landscape Management Team

Grounds & Landscape Services

Campus Landscape Architecture

Grounds - Seasonal Services

Spring (March-May)

Summer (May-August)

Fall (September-November)

Winter (December-February)

Year-Round

Landscape Services/Grounds Service Levels

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign service level definition

Service Levels:

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Drought Policy

Abnormally Dry Conditions

Moderate Drought Conditions

Severe Drought Conditions

Extreme Drought Conditions

Exceptional Drought Conditions