B&G-Grounds Newsletter – August 2026
B&G Volunteer Updates
What our OLCA volunteers have been working on
Grass, Shrub and Tree Watering
We are in the final stretch of watering for the 2026 season. Volunteer owners have been diligent in keeping our new grass, shrubs and trees watered, even during the recent drought. As the weather cools and rain (hopefully) increases, less watering should be needed.
For those volunteer owners who are watering we hope you can continue to help through the season end, November 30th. We have been promised that outside bibs will remain on through 11/30.
As mentioned in previous newsletters, all owners are encouraged to water shrubs and trees in their vicinity. Even established plants can use water when days are hot and dry. Well-watered plants are healthier, more disease-resistant and grow faster.
Viburnum Hedge Replacement
After months of careful planning, six owner volunteers installed 13 shrubs in front of three buildings. Planning includes contracting removal of existing shrubs, ordering soil, mulch, and calculating the number and type of replacements, ordering the shrubs from our vendor, Johnsons Nursery and soliciting volunteer waterers.
As previously announced, B&G is systematically removing diseased viburnum hedges and installing disease-resistant natives. And per our arborist contractor, we are spacing replacement shrubs further apart than was original done.
Following standard guidelines, calculated spacing allows for healthier growth, more air circulation and a looser, more casual look. In addition, spacing allows owners and contractors better access to outside faucet bibs, AC units and easier pruning. This is why you may have noticed our volunteers using tape measures, ropes and meticulously setting stakes before planting.
Here are the new hedge shrubs planted in July.
Bldg 24 – Dwarf bush honeysuckles; these short native bushes are per owner request to allow improved views from their windows. They have small yellow flowers. We have several areas of dwarf bush honeysuckles in our complex today. They are a very adaptable species, thrive in most conditions, and require minimal pruning. These spreading shrubs make nice hedges and grow sun or shade. We will be planting additional dwarf bush honeysuckles in 2027 where short hedges are requested.
Bldg 32 – Common Ninebark; another adaptable native shrub, common ninebark grows quickly and makes an excellent hedge when pruned. They have sprays of white flowers in summer. This is a newer shrub for Overlook Lakes and we have seen good success. Horticulturists suggest this is a good replacement for viburnums as it looks similar but is not affected by the leaf beetle.
Bldg 44 – Scarlet Elderberry; this is a newer shrub for us and was selected because it grows in shaded areas. We planted our first scarlet elderberry group at the edge of the ravine along Woodbridge and it has done well. Along these wooded areas we can keep the plant unpruned and it will take up space formerly occupied by buckthorn. Along buildings we can prune the plant into an attractive hedge. Deer find the scarlet elderberry unappealing and, like common ninebark, it is a fast grower. Scarlet elderberry has sprays of white flowers in summer and bright red berries in the fall.
What About Other Viburnum Hedge Replacements?
To gain efficiency B&G contracted to remove all six viburnum hedges in July per our plan. While we only replanted three hedges in 2026, we are planning to replant the remaining three hedges spring 2027. Stay tuned for more volunteer announcements! Building locations that we will replant in 2027 are 23 east side, 30 north side, and 30 south side. Volunteers have raked and smoothed these areas and have already started to measure and stake.
Why Owner Volunteers?
There are several reasons we engage owner volunteers for shrub plantings. First, contractors rarely calculate spacing of shrubs, mostly eyeballing where to dig holes. Equally and appropriately spaced shrubs create a nicer look and so we are taking the extra time for that step.
Second, our owners volunteers are following standard planting techniques learned from land stewards at Wehr Nature Center and the Urban Ecology Center. This involves loosening up the roots that have been tightly bound in pots at the nursery. We know that not all contractors take this extra step. However, if roots are not loosened up when the shrub (or tree) is planted, they may continue to grow in the shape of the pot (circular) and that will dramatically decrease the life of the plant.
And third, our costs are much lower with volunteers. A single shrub costs OLCA $30-40. And planting is free. Contractors may charge upwards of $100 or more per shrub to plant.
Large Arborvitae Replacements
Per our plan, the large arborvitaes behind building 47 were removed in August. Next up, our aroborist SavATree will grind the stumps. Then we can purchase and plant replacement bushes. Owner volunteers will be planting Scarlet Elderberries in this location in early September. In addition, we expect to contract for grass seeding around that area this fall.
What About Watering?
Regardless of whether a contractor or an owner volunteer plants a shrub or tree, the new plant will require ongoing and consistent watering. Thus, we are timing our planting to ensure we have enough owners to water. The result is we are spreading out our planting schedule so we don’t burn out our dedicated volunteers. If any owner needs a new bush or tree and is willing to water for the season, we would consider bumping up our schedule.
B&G-Grounds News
From our hardworking committee
Removal and Replacement of Dead Evergreen Bushes
B&G management and the board are in discussion with KEI and John Sileno to replace allegedly salt-damaged bushes along certain buildings. We continue to negotiate a solution that is satisfactory to all parties and again ask for everyone’s patience as we work through the details.
B&G is also evaluating the type of replacements we desire. As expected, we want to focus on Wisconsin natives, and look for species that are resilient, robust, and low maintenance. Thus, we may replace current shrubs with different species.
Additional criteria includes amount of sunlight, ease of pruning, height considerations, spacing considerations, and salt resistance. We are also considering shrubs that produce flowers. Many of our current shrubs, especially our evergreen hedges, do not flower.
Contractor Corner
How our landscaping contractors are keeping our property healthy and beautiful
MMSD
Johnsons Nursery has won the bid with MMSD to plant our trees and shrubs. A total of 17 trees and 13 shrubs will be planted September 2026 and September 2027 at no charge to us.
Working with MMSD, Johnsons Nursery and Davey Trees service B&G has determined the plan of where each tree or shrub will be planted. We then divided the planting into two year segments. While we have finalized the locations in 2026, the locations for 2027 are still tentative.
The first tree planting date is now announced: September 23, 2026 when 10 new trees will be planted. Prior to that date, our timetable calls for B&G to label and stake each tree and Johnson’s to contact Diggers Hotline to mark gas, electric, phone and cable locations.
The map below shows the locations and types of trees for 2026. Watch out for stakes of at these locations as we approach planting day. Here are a few specifics:
- Tree #1 Gingko, replaces a recently removed dead ash tree on Woodbridge near Westlake.
- Tree #14, Peking Lilac, replaces a long-ago removed tree between buildings 32 and 33. The tree will help capture water that runs in the driveway into the grass.
- Trees #9 Peking Lilac and #10 Gingko, replace long-ago removed street trees in front of building 34, completing our lovely tree lined look on Woodbridge.
- Trees #6 Bald cypress and #8 Katsura, will be planted in wet slough areas between Woodbridge and Westlake, capturing water that soaks our ground.
- Tree #7 Musclewood, replaces a recently removed dead hawthorn at the end of the driveway next to building 38.
- Trees #11 Swamp white oak, and #12 and #13 both Ironwood replace removed buckthorns on the western ravine edge near building 33.
Volunteers Needed
We are still looking for volunteers to water new MMSD tree #1 on Woodbridge, tree #6 behind building 43, and trees 11, 12 and 13 near building 33. Please email if you are able to water.
Grass Seeding
As fall approaches it is time to solicit bids to seed grass. Fall is an excellent time to plant grass as it is cooler and wetter than summer. OLCA volunteers will continue to seed grass in some of the smaller areas; however we will be using contractors for the larger or more challenging jobs. Budget and timing will determine which areas we can seed this year and which we need to bump to 2027.
Here is the list of areas we plan to seed:
- Bldg 33 8948 Woodbridge (former maple tree)
- Bldg 25 8905 Woodbridge along woods edge
- Bldg 39 8752 Woodbridge (former spruce tree)
- Bldg 30 9119 Westlake (former maple tree)
- Bldg 47 9041/9055 Westlake (former arborvitae)
- West side of ravine near Bldg 33 8946 Woodbridge
- South and southeast side of ravine near Bldg 34 8876 Woodbridge
As always, if you have questions of the volunteer owners on the B&G committee, feel free to send an email.
B&G Landscape Committee
