Most CAD software wasn't built with landscape architects in mind. In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, host Dionisio Roman, joined by Ethan Hartzel, sits down with Jake Lott, an 11-year member of the Land F/X team who now also teaches AutoCAD for Environmental Design at Utah State, to unpack Land F/X's origin story (built by a landscape architect and his programmer son, now CEO), how a user-driven "wish list" process turns trade-show feedback into shipped features within weeks, where 2D and 3D workflows are headed as Revit still lacks real irrigation functionality, and where AI genuinely fits into landscape design software, from Land F/X's new support assistant Leah and AI-generated plant imagery to why Jake argues AI can speed up a designer's workflow but can't replace the judgment at the center of the job.

Timecodes:

00:00 – 01:10 | Cold Open and Introducing Jake Lott

01:10 – 01:43 | Episode Roadmap: Land F/X, Feedback Loops, and AI

01:43 – 03:48 | Jake's Path From a Landscaping Family to Utah State

03:48 – 05:07 | What Land F/X Actually Is

05:07 – 06:41 | The Workflow Gaps Standard CAD Leaves for Landscape Architects

06:41 – 08:53 | Built By a Landscape Architect and His Son: The Land F/X Origin Story

08:53 – 10:42 | Turning User Requests Into Custom Symbols and a 56,000-Plant Database

10:42 – 12:31 | Scaling to 9,000 Licenses on the Back of Support

12:31 – 14:02 | From Trade-Show Ask to Shipped Feature in Two Weeks

14:02 – 15:14 | Inside the Feature Wish List Process

15:14 – 19:28 | Teaching AutoCAD and the Origin of "Genius Hour"

19:28 – 22:46 | Why Understanding Tools Under the Hood Still Matters

22:46 – 24:51 | Land F/X as a Lead Source and Using the Right Tool for the Job

24:51 – 26:16 | Teaching the Math Before You Teach the Calculator

26:16 – 30:36 | 2D, 3D, and Where Revit Falls Short for Irrigation Design

30:36 – 36:49 | Jake's Many Hats: Support, Training Videos, and the Excel Analogy

36:49 – 40:19 | Why AI Won't Replace the Designer

40:19 – 42:50 | Meet Leah and AI-Generated Plant Imagery With Nano Banana

42:50 – 44:45 | AI as a Design Assistant, Not an Artist

44:45 – 47:47 | Manufacturer Partnerships and What's Next for Landscape Tech

47:47 – 48:50 | Closing and Where to Find Land F/X

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 Jake Lott on LinkedIn

Connect with Land F/X on LinkedIn

Learn more about LandFX: https://www.landfx.com/

Listen to the Land F/X CEO's podcast episode on AI: https://www.landfx.com/news/podcasts/7821-tool-or-takeover-ai-in-landscape-architecture

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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

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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

In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, the team sits down with Emily Bell, a landscape designer and founder of Emily Bell Landscape Design, to talk about real-world challenges—and smart solutions—in site planning. From stormwater management to tree stabilization, Emily shares the tools she actually specifies, including TreeStaple, Silver Cells, CarbonSmart wood, and ProFlow pavers. They also tackle the realities of budget constraints, developer resistance, and the all-too-common spec-and-switch problem. If you're in urban planning, landscape architecture, or product development, this is the episode to rethink what belongs in your design toolbelt.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction to Emily Bell

01:10 – Core site challenges: drainage, trees, and materials

03:08 – Developer pushback and the value engineering dilemma

04:20 – What makes TreeStaple so useful in the real world

06:05 – ProFlow pavers: where they fit and why they matter

08:20 – Cost vs benefit in spec decisions

09:33 – CarbonSmart wood and circular material sourcing

12:22 – Specifier considerations and contractor habits

14:04 – Urban vs rural: where these tools shine

15:35 – Silver Cells explained and why they’re needed

18:11 – When it’s too late for root management

19:07 – Personal design inspiration from transit and urban systems

21:24 – How travel shapes Emily’s landscape perspective

23:08 – What makes a product worth advocating for

25:21 – Examples of product trends that don’t work

27:00 – Collaboration between specifier, contractor, and client

28:31 – The spec battle: why holding the line matters

30:04 – Final thoughts on tools that elevate site performance

31:08 – Closing remarks and call to advocate smarter tools

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 Emily Bell on LinkedIn

In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, we sit down with Steve Parker, a seasoned civil engineer with decades of experience in property development and infrastructure. Steve takes us through the unseen yet essential role civil engineers play in making our homes and communities function smoothly. From navigating permits and stormwater regulations to understanding surveying, land development, and cost factors, Steve provides valuable insights into how homeowners, contractors, and municipalities work together to create sustainable and functional spaces. Whether you're planning a home addition, a new pool, or large-scale land development, this conversation will shed light on the often-overlooked world of civil engineering.

Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro to Rooted in Innovation
00:27 - Welcome & Guest Introduction: Steve Parker
01:25 - What is Civil Engineering & Why It Matters
02:24 - How Civil Engineers Support Homeowners & Contractors
04:30 - Permits: The Necessary Evil of Construction
06:10 - The Growing Costs of Stormwater Management
08:24 - Understanding Impervious Coverage & Drainage Issues
12:57 - Why Regulations Are Getting Stricter
14:25 - Sponsor Break: Tree Staple – The Smarter Way to Plant Trees
15:19 - The Importance of Property Surveys in Development
17:34 - Topographical Surveys: What They Are & Why They Matter
20:40 - Advancements in Mapping & Civil Engineering Technology
22:24 - Merging Generations in Engineering & New Innovations
24:36 - Finding the Next Generation of Civil Engineers
26:26 - The Complexity of Mineral Rights & Land Ownership
29:26 - The Challenges of Multi-Generational Businesses
30:35 - What Steve Finds Most Rewarding in His Work
34:38 - Project Timelines: Why Homeowners Should Plan Ahead
35:02 - Steve’s Advice for Homeowners Considering a Project
37:54 - Engineering Differences Across States
39:45 - Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways
41:24 - Closing Remarks & Where to Find Parker Engineering

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

In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, host Mike Nusser and co-host Dionisio Roman sit down with Andrew Harrell, a leader in digital technology and landscape design, associated with the East Group, NC State University, and Sun Catcher Greenhouses. Andrew dives into the transformative role of technology in landscape architecture, sharing insights on sustainable greenhouse design, digital tools, and the intersection of data and nature. Tune in to explore the innovative ways technology is reshaping the landscapes we love.

Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction to the Hosts and Guest Speaker Andrew Harrell
01:12 - Andrew’s Background and Interest in Landscape Architecture
02:08 - The Role of Digital Technology in Landscape Design
03:40 - Integrating Engineering and Design Through Technology
05:15 - Defining Parametric Design in Landscape Architecture
06:26 - Data-Driven Design Trends in the AEC Industry
08:01 - Impact of GIS and 3D Modeling in Current Projects
10:10 - Balancing Cost and Accessibility of Technology
12:09 - Influences from Family and Gardening on Career Choice
15:09 - Teaching Technology at NC State
17:51 - Advice for Professionals Adapting to New Technologies
21:07 - Setting Standards and Maintaining Industry Communication
22:28 - Passive Solar Greenhouses: A Sustainable Approach
25:12 - Different Sizes and Applications for Passive Solar Greenhouses
29:07 - The Importance of Technology and Sustainability in Landscape Architecture
31:07 - Academic Pathways in Landscape Architecture
33:10 - Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

Resources:
Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com
Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn
Connect with Andrew Harrell on LinkedIn