Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1522811
| OHCC LIVING | JULY 2024 | 11 From the AV Committee Nobody Is Getting Younger Our 40th anniversary at OHCC informs us that A.G.E. is a condition we all have come to know, and landscaping also ages. A lot of our trees and hedges here at OHCC are also 40 years old. We have all our trees inspected by a professional arborist on a yearly basis. On the arborist's advice, we usually have to remove a few trees for various reasons. Some are encroaching on other trees, others have roots that are invading residents' walls, still others might be infested by a destructive beetle and have to be removed promptly before the neighboring trees become infested. Still others have reached their lifespan and have seen better days. Fortunately, all the trees and bushes are in different phases of their lifetime, so that we can always enjoy their greenery, shade, and contribution to our air quality. Trees that are removed will usually be replaced with other trees considering the right tree for the right location at the right time – the three Rs. Some of you have inquired regarding the new state law which dictates that certain lawns, i.e., turfs, be removed by the year 2029. It will benefit us to remove some turf areas and collect government rebates to do so, city water rates having gone up significantly. The new law states that "functional" turf areas will be allowed to remain. That is, one that serves a purpose (other than providing work for a gardener). At this time, front lawns are considered a functional turf area. The OHCC golf course qualifies as a functional turf area, although that will become a moot point once it is watered by the new well. Two areas are under scope to meet the rebate requirements: 1. The turf at the end of the golf course, leading to L.V.W. To save money from the removal of dirt in the construction of our new lake on our golf course, the dirt will be relocated to this area after the lawn is removed. This is a substantial amount of dirt and it will raise the level of the walkway pretty close to street level, which a lot of residents will appreciate. 2. The median strip at the entrance through the front gate. We hope that all will enjoy these improvements. Landscape Committee