Rooted in Innovation

Tree Staple
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Earth Sciences
  • Updated Monthly

Join Jim Mancini, Mike Nusser, and Dionisio Roman on the Rooted in Innovation podcast, where we meet with Arborists, Developers, Municipalities Workers, and other industry experts each month to explore their best tips and practices, industry insights, and current projects.  Sponsored by Tree Staple, we dig deep into the tree care and landscape development industries to get all the dirt on how these experts have successfully transformed both cities and forests.  Whether you want to catch up on industry news, or you’re looking for the latest landscape development tools and methods, we’ve got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Tune in and get ready to be inspired, informed, and entertained by the voices shaping the green landscapes we love.

  1. 2d ago

    Rebuilding After the LA Fires: A Landscape Architect's Hard Truths

    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

    53 min

  2. Jun 12

    From Mattress Sales to Landscaping Software: The Creation Story of SiteDNA

    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  Subscribe to Rooted in Innovation

    48 min

  3. May 6

    Why Your Landscaping Business is Stuck and the 90 Day Fix with Justin White

    The landscape industry is at an inflection point. Robotic mowers are being deployed at scale. AI is automating executive-level admin work. And the companies that fail to adapt are not just falling behind on efficiency — they're creating a competitive gap that will be nearly impossible to close in three to five years. The question for green industry leaders is not whether to modernize. It's whether they're moving fast enough. If you run or lead a green industry business and you're trying to figure out where technology fits, how to lead your people better, or how to get out of your own way, this is a blueprint worth your time. Learn more about The Disruptors at jwhitegroup.com. Timecodes: 00:00 – 00:27 | Welcome to Rooted in Innovation  00:27 – 07:02 | Guest Introduction and K&D's Origin Story  07:02 – 10:02 | The Three Pillars That Started the Turnaround  10:02 – 13:12 | Community Partnerships and the Leo's Haven Project  13:12 – 16:55 | The $1.5M Tech Mistake of 2021  16:55 – 21:19 | Skin in the Game: Jim's Subcontractor Ownership Model  21:19 – 27:31 | Intentional Tech: Robotic Mowers and the 30-40% Pricing Advantage  27:31 – 32:45 | The Fifth Pillar: Why Every Landscape Company Needs a Tech Leader  32:45 – 35:22 | Where Technology Pays the Most in the Field  35:22 – 40:15 | Robotics by 2030 and What's Coming for the Green Industry  40:15 – 43:32 | Automating 80% of CEO Admin and Getting Back to People  43:32 – 46:21 | Why Justin Built The Disruptors  46:21 – 53:54 | The 90-Day Vision Exercise for Leaders Who Feel Stuck  53:54 – 54:19 | Outro and How to Stay Connected Resources: Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-mancini-743b386/ Connect with Dionisio Roman III on

    54 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    From Drone Flyovers to Hand Sketches: Joe Marker’s Signature Process

    On this episode of Rooted in Innovation, we sit down with Joseph Marker, owner of Marker Elevated Landscapes, to explore what it really means to lead a residential landscape firm with vision. From his signature 3-2-1 design process to his hybrid use of drone imagery and hand-drawing, Joe walks us through the artistic, technical, and deeply personal aspects of designing meaningful outdoor spaces. We also hear the story behind a 144-acre Tuscan-inspired estate, why Vastu Shastra shaped its layout, and how Joe honors the legacy of his family business while pushing the boundaries of what modern landscape design can be. Whether you’re a designer, contractor, or homeowner, this episode will challenge the way you think about space, communication, and the role of technology in the design-build process. Timecodes 00:00 – 01:21 - Intro: Meet Joseph Marker and Marker Elevated Landscapes 01:22 – 03:16 - The 3-2-1 Design Process: From Concept to Master Plan 03:17 – 05:12 - Inspiration Sources: Travel, Books, Social Media & Gardens 05:13 – 07:06 - Drone-Backed Hand Drawings: Communicating Clearly with Clients 07:07 – 10:14 - The Role of Process in Avoiding Miscommunication 10:15 – 13:32 - Flexibility, Late Nights & Sunrise Site Visits 13:33 – 16:04 - Designing a 144-Acre Tuscan Estate in Pennsylvania 16:05 – 17:35 - Applying Vastu Shastra Principles to Landscape Design 17:36 – 20:00 - Flat Lots, Rolling Hills, and the Role of the Client 20:01 – 22:06 - Maintenance: Growing Slowly and Preserving Quality 22:07 – 24:49 - Family Legacy: Honoring His Father’s Company & Vision 24:50 – 27:11 - Leadership, Hard Work, and What Joe Learned from His Dad 27:12 – 29:21 - Low-Maintenance Design, Deer Pressure & Plant Strategy 29:22 – 32:06 - Golf Course Inspiration & Finding Creativity Outdoors 32:07 – 34:49 - Designing Par-3 Greens for Clients (and for Fun) 34:50 – 37:19 - Tree Favorites, Annual Preferences, and Unique Palettes 37:20 – 39:58 - Final Reflections: Communication, Creativity, and Vision

    40 min

  5. 11/07/2025

    How Rob Ambler Built a People-First Landscape Company

    In this episode of Rooted in Innovation, we sit down with Rob Ambler, founder and owner of Ambler Industries, LLC, a design/build and maintenance firm based in Pennsylvania. Rob shares his deeply personal story of burnout, renewal, and the business transformation that followed. From restructuring his leadership team to adopting Aspire software, Rob rebuilt his company around culture, clarity, and faith-driven leadership. We explore what it takes to attract great people, make bold software investments, and lead with purpose in a fast-moving, often chaotic industry. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the growth cycle, or questioned how to scale without losing your soul, this episode is for you. Timecodes: 00:00 – Welcome to Rooted in Innovation 01:05 – Meet Rob Ambler of Ambler Industries 02:25 – The mission: build a values-driven landscape company 04:01 – What culture looks like in practice: hiring, retention, clarity 06:14 – Burnout at $5M: sleepless nights, high anxiety, tough calls 08:52 – Replacing great-but-misaligned leaders 10:47 – How Rob found his new leadership team through divine timing 12:29 – Creating a no-turnover workplace through vision & loyalty 14:55 – The ripple effect of servant leadership at all levels 17:08 – Aspire software: from sticker shock to game-changer 19:36 – Tracking labor variance and tying it to performance 21:44 – Addressing pushback: “You only care about money” 23:03 – Gamifying incentives and linking data to growth paths 25:22 – Leading with faith and integrity: what it means on-site 27:00 – The story of one foreman’s transformation 28:38 – Rob’s personal “why”: faith, family, and making an impact 30:02 – Reflections on Plumstead Christian School and giving back 32:14 – Final takeaways on growth, leadership, and long-term vision 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 Rob Ambler on LinkedIn

    36 min

  6. 09/08/2025

    What Landscape Designers Actually Want to Specify with Emily Bell

    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

    27 min

  7. 05/01/2025

    How to Launch a New Product in an Old-School Industry with Taron Young

    What does it take to bring a brand-new building product to market and actually make it stick? In this episode, veteran market developer Taron Young shares insights from 20+ years in the construction and building materials industry. From code compliance to product education, distribution channels to holding spec, Taron breaks down what it really takes to go from unknown to industry standard. This one’s for builders, specifiers, product manufacturers—and anyone trying to launch something new in an old-school industry. Timecodes: 00:00 – Intro to Rooted in Innovation and guest Taron Young 01:45 – Taron’s background and current role in building materials 03:00 – Why most product launches fail: market research mistakes 06:15 – Finding early adopters and incentivizing them the right way 08:45 – The role of distribution and channel development 10:00 – Tariffs, pricing strategy, and maintaining integrity 16:25 – Understanding and influencing specifiers and builders 21:45 – Holding the spec: how to protect your product from being swapped 25:05 – What true market development looks like (vs. sales) 27:00 – Why you need trust and long-term relationships in this business 30:00 – How technology has changed sales—but not relationships 34:45 – Advice for launching new products: don’t skip the research 38:30 – Final thoughts: check your ego, listen, and partner well Resources: Have an upcoming landscaping project? Contact Tree Staple for a quote treestaple.com Connect with Jim Mancini on LinkedIn Connect with Taron Young on LinkedIn Connect with Dionisio Roman III on LinkedIn

    40 min

  8. 02/05/2025

    From Permits to Infrastructure: The Unsung Work of Civil Engineers with Steve Parker

    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

    42 min
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About

Join Jim Mancini, Mike Nusser, and Dionisio Roman on the Rooted in Innovation podcast, where we meet with Arborists, Developers, Municipalities Workers, and other industry experts each month to explore their best tips and practices, industry insights, and current projects.  Sponsored by Tree Staple, we dig deep into the tree care and landscape development industries to get all the dirt on how these experts have successfully transformed both cities and forests.  Whether you want to catch up on industry news, or you’re looking for the latest landscape development tools and methods, we’ve got you covered. So, what are you waiting for? Tune in and get ready to be inspired, informed, and entertained by the voices shaping the green landscapes we love.

Information

  • Creator
    Tree Staple
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tree Staple
  • Show Website
    Rooted in Innovation