When Alex Fransen talks to potential clients, he hears the same thing.

“We want it all,” says Fransen, president of Derby City Pools and Outdoor Living in Louisville, Ky. “They’re saying, ‘If we can’t go anywhere, we want it in our backyard — the water, fire, kitchen, pool.’”

In particular, fire features are a growing ask from homeowners who appreciate the idea of gathering around the crackling flames, staying warm on cool evenings, even roasting some marshmallows. Fransen says there is an opportunity at every residential site and many commercial properties to offer fire features as a part of a design.

Peter Muroski, president of Native Landscapes in Pawling, N.Y., is also fielding more calls than ever for lifestyle amenities like fire pits, outdoor fireplaces and custom structures that incorporate a grill top.

Ambiance is a key selling point. But safety is a major consideration when designing and installing fire features — and when educating clients about how to use them properly. Whether you’ve built some fire pits or are installing custom-designed fire features that are as “smart” and connected as other wireless aspects of a home, here are some trends and safety measures to consider.

On-Trend Fire Features.

You’ve got the old-fashioned campfire with natural wood — cue up some sticks the kids gathered in the yard to act as hotdog skewers. Fireside stories, lazy nights, making memories: Fire brings a cozy-hearth feel to a backyard living area. Now more than ever, we’re looking for warmth and comfort. Fire also adds a sense of spirit and energy.

Fransen has found where there’s fire, clients also want water. His pool business is booming, as is the case across the country. The timber-and-glow aesthetic is a complement. “We do a lot of fire features next to pools,” he says. “We might have water coming out of the front with a sheer descent with a fire feature on top — and we even do these fire-water bowls next to pools. That’s a nice bowl of brass, copper or stone with water that spills back into the pool and fire comes out of the top.”

Another designer detail that upgrades the good, ‘ole fire pit is fire glass.

“Fire glass is another media that you put in your fire pan, so it’s like lava rock with colored glasses,” he says.

Gas vs. natural wood? The jury’s out. For Fransen, more clients are going for the gas-powered, electronic-ignition features that can be controlled by a remote or a smartphone app because it burns clean, is easy-care and minimizes exhaust.

“I’m a natural wood guy and we have wood-burning fireplaces in our house, but in our backyard, we have a fire pit with gas — and the reason why is convenience,” Fransen says, adding that the clients he serves generally hire a pool and lawn service. “They’re not going to go out there, clean ashes and restock it with wood.”

Since the purpose of an outdoor living space with a fire feature is to enjoy it, reducing the dirty work makes sense for many homeowners.

In Muroski’s area, where many residences have larger lots and room to breathe, there’s a demand for natural wood and a campfire feel. In fact, that’s what Muroski looks forward to during the holidays. Fire features can be a year-round backyard attraction. “It’s a tradition around my house that we go out there, even if there is snow, we start a fire in the fire pit, and we sit around and sing Christmas carols,” he says.

Before You Build.

The abundance of fire pits and gas-powered fire bowls available in the big-box world make adding this feature to a landscape seem like a plug-and-play situation. But the reality is, you’re dealing with fire and potentially installing gas lines. There are structures, plants, children and personal property to consider before you break ground. Fire features are a growing aspect of outdoor living — and an attractive one. Here’s what to know:

Study the Permit Policy: Fire features come with added regulatory and safety guidelines because there are risks involved if a fire pit or fireplace is improperly installed or used. Before designing and building fire features, do your homework and get a solid grip on what is required to achieve a permit. Otherwise, it’s back to the drawing board — not to mention, a frustrated client and a project delay.

And remember, different cities and counties can have varying fire codes for outdoor campfires, fire pits and other fire-burning features. Beyond fire codes, gas-powered fire elements involve plumbing lines, and there are codes for those, too. “If you’re having an open pit and burning wood, I call the fire chief and tell him, ‘Here’s what we are doing — what are the requirements?’” Fransen says. “They can send someone out to take a look at the plans and the site and give you the information you need.”

“You don’t want to create a situation where smoke or hot coals blow toward a neighbor’s house.” Peter Muroski, president of Native Landscapes

Assure Ventilation: A common mistake when installing fire features is overlooking the burn type and how the vessel is vented. For example, natural gas tends to sink, and liquid propane tends to rise, Fransen says. “If it’s liquid propane and you put the vents down low instead of high, (the exhaust) can’t get out of the fire pit,” he explains. On the other hand, if vents are too high in a pit with natural gas, “you can create a bomb because it will trap the gas and it can’t get out of the fire pit.”

Overall, gas- and natural wood-burning fire pit pans have specific directions for installation. Read them. “Otherwise, you could end up pulling it apart later after you find out it’s not venting correctly,” Fransen says, a lesson he learned the hard way. “Air flow is critical and keeps it safe.”

Mind Your Materials: Not all stone and brick are created equal or adequate for lining fire features. Muroski reminds industry peers who are new to fire feature design and construction to use fire brick. “Natural stone, especially layered stone like sedimentary rock, can pop,” Muroski says. “And, that hot, molten rock can hit a house and be dangerous.”

Remember the Neighbors: “If houses are packed together tightly, you want to stay away from wood-burning fire pits or fireplaces and go with a gas option because there is less smoke with those structures,” Muroski says. “You don’t want to create a situation where smoke or hot coals blow toward a neighbor’s house.”

Protect Trees and Plants: Look up. Is the site where a client desires a fire feature shaded by mature, overhanging branches brimming with foliage? Fire can damage a tree canopy and nearby plants if the site lacks proper ventilation or is simply too close to landscaping. “Make sure you are not creating heat stress around trees,” Muroski says.

Environmental Considerations: Remind clients that drought conditions and natural, wood-burning fires often do not mix. “For instance, we’ve had a dry summer and you want to be extra careful with fire when the ground and everything around it is parched,” Muroski says. Advise homeowners that cities or counties might put a burn ban in place. This is for the health and safety of everyone in the community. Suggest calling the local fire department if a client is uncertain about the status.

Automate with Caution: Entire outdoor living spaces are automated now and can be controlled with a smartphone, from pool heating elements to landscape lighting and sound systems. You can turn on water features with an app. And the same is true with electric-ignition, gas-burning fire features. But Fransen chooses not to automate fire, and he explains why to clients. “Say you’re out to dinner at a restaurant across town and you do not have that line of sight to your fire pit,” he says. “Meanwhile, baby brother is home with a sitter and sitting next to the fire feature. You accidentally push the button on your phone while it’s in your pocket and it turns on.”

“If you’re having an open pit and burning wood, I call the fire chief and tell him, ‘Here’s what we’re doing — what are the requirements?’” Alex Fransen, president of Derby City Pools and Outdoor Living

Case in point: You could accidentally play with fire with an app-mishap or accidental pushing of a button. “I don’t want to take the chance of automating that feature to where you can’t see it, but you can turn it on,” Fransen says.

Fire features do have a proceed-with-caution aspect to them. But they are in high demand, and a memory-making highlight of many backyards.

As Muroski says, “Have fun. Fire structures can be a wonderful addition to the outdoor environment.”

Don’t Get Burned—A Play It Safe Playlist 

It never hurts to provide clients asking for a natural, wood-burning fire feature to have a fact sheet as a resource to educate their family and friends. As their trusted landscape professional, you can have the conversation in person or create a tip sheet to complement projects that involve burning wood, natural gas or propane. Specifically, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers these tips for backyard, recreational fires. 

• Burn seasoned dry wood that burns hotter and cleaner.
• Get a moisture meter to check your firewood. Moisture content should be about 20%.
• Cover stacked wood, but allow some airflow.
• If there's an air quality alert day or burn alert, do not use your fire pit.
• Do not burn green wood, construction waste, plastic, garbage or yard waste because the smoke can be toxic.
• If you live in an area where forest and brush fires are a concern, take care to abide by local warning.

Learn more at epa.gov/burnwise/backyard-recreational-fires.

1. Anthracnose

Anthracnose is an umbrella term for multiple fungi that attack leaves, twigs, flowers and fruits of many trees and shrubs. It can be found on many species throughout most of North America. Anthracnose on most species is cosmetic, which means generally not a cause for concern. Some leaf necrosis followed by defoliation will occur, but the plant typically recovers. There are two species that anthracnose can cause a twig blight in addition to the defoliation, and those are sycamore and flowering dogwood. Because of this, sycamore and flowering dogwood can decline significantly due to this disease and are therefore recommended for management.

For management of sycamore anthracnose, begin foliar applications of fungicides two weeks before bud break. Alternatively, trunk inject with a systemic fungicide. In the case of dogwood anthracnose, foliar applications must begin at bud break and continue all through the growing season to protect the tree. Good sanitation practices can also help reduce disease inoculum.

2. Apple scab

Apple scab is an early-season fungal leaf disease that affects crabapples in the urban landscape. Some crabapple cultivars are more tolerant to the disease than others; however, currently there is no fully resistant cultivar available. Symptoms of apple scab are velvety brown lesions on the leaves that are quickly followed by chlorotic leaves and defoliation.

While mostly aesthetic, homeowners may find apple scab objectionable. It can be managed with fungicide applications beginning at budbreak.

3. Cedar rusts

Cedar rusts are common fungal diseases of rosaceous plants, such as hawthorn and crabapple. As with apple scab, some cultivars and species are more susceptible than others. Rust diseases require junipers as an alternate host; however, removal of this host to break the life cycle is not recommended as rust spores can travel from far distances. Symptoms of rust on key host plants are orange or rust-colored leaf spots that form on hawthorn and crabapples in the spring. Particularly in hawthorn, twig cankers and galls can develop and cause dieback. On the juniper species spore-producing structures form on the branches but are typically not harmful to the health of the plant.

Due to this, disease management is typically only recommended on the crabapple and hawthorn species. This disease can be managed with fungicide applications on these hosts beginning at budbreak or when orange spore masses develop on junipers. For the juniper host, pruning out rust galls when noted can help with aesthetic value of the plant.

4. Diplodia tip blight

Diplodia tip blight is a very common fungal disease of Austrian and other pines. This disease infects when candles and needles begin to expand in the spring. Key symptoms include dead shoot tips with needles half elongated, the presence of resin and witches brooming. Black fruiting structures are present at the base of needles and on cones.

Management includes pruning to increase airflow and applying fungicides beginning at bud swell.

5. Dothistroma needle cast of pines

Dothistroma needle cast is a fungal disease that causes a premature defoliation in mature trees and stunting and death of young trees. It can be found in more than 35 pine species and hybrids throughout North America. This disease is specifically prevalent in non-native species of pines.

Symptoms of this disease are yellow or red bands on needles from the previous years’ growth, followed by necrosis. Even though the symptoms of this disease appear on older needles, it does affect during budbreak.

Therefore, for management, begin applications of a fungicide at budbreak. Pruning out severely infected branches can also help in managing the disease.

6. Lethal Bronzing of palms

Lethal Bronzing of palms is a disease caused by an unculturable bacterium that has no cell wall called a phytoplasma. This organism is spread by a vector. The vectors are planthoppers which pierce and suck plant tissue and transmit the pathogen from plant to plant. Primarily found in the state of Florida and Texas, this pathogen affects mostly Phoenix palms; however, it can infect others as well. (16 confirmed species).

The pathogen infects via the phloem of the host and cannot survive outside a plant or insect; therefore, it cannot be mechanically transmitted by pruning tools or infected roots touching new roots. This organism causes problems with vascular flow. Symptoms from LB are variable: if fruit is present, the first symptom is generally premature fruit drop. If fruit has not set, inflorescences will become necrotic. The spear leaf (newest, unfolded frond) will collapse, then the middle ring of fronds will display a reddish-bronze color (hence the name). Length of time between infection and symptoms is approximately four to five months. Symptom progression occurs at varying rates in different palm species.

Management includes removal of infected palms and preventative injection of remaining viable palms in the area with an antibiotic. These treatments will need to be administered every three to four months for the life of the palm. If a palm looks healthy but has received a positive test through tissue sampling, it is considered lost and should be removed immediately.

7. Oak wilt

Oak wilt is a fungal pathogen that causes vascular problems for oak trees. The fungus can be transmitted two ways: vectored by a sap beetle or through root grafting. The tannins released from open wounds attract the sap beetles. Therefore, pruning oaks should be avoided during the spring and summer. Fungal mats form under the bark of infected trees and the sap beetles are also attracted to those, which is where they pick up spores for transmission. It is important to note that 90% of infections occur from root grafting and only 10% vector. Trees can transfer the fungus through the vascular system of one tree to another if their roots fuse together.

Oak wilt, Bretziella fagacearum, causes disruption of the xylem tissue, causing symptoms such as leaf discoloration, leaf necrosis, tip dieback, flagging, vascular discoloration and, ultimately, death.

Red oaks and live oaks have no curative treatment options once infected; however, white oaks can be treated if less than 20% of their canopy is showing symptoms. All oaks can be treated preventatively with injections of propiconazole. If an oak tree is infected and there are other oaks surrounding it, you can create a root graft barrier and inject remaining trees with the proper fungicide to prevent further spread.

8. Powdery mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease caused by different species of fungi that grow on the outer, upper leaf surface of many trees and shrubs. This disease does not directly penetrate the foliar tissue; however, it can cause leaf distortion, premature defoliation and decrease in photosynthesis production. The fungus can be easy to identify due to the white mycelium growing directly on the upper surface of the leaves. It is mostly an aesthetic problem and will not cause the tree too much stress.

There are fungal foliar sprays if infection is heavy, but they are not always necessary. Another option to decrease disease pressure is to slightly prune dense canopies. This can increase airflow, which creates a less desirable environment for the fungus to grow.

9. Armillaria root rot

Armillaria root rot is a group of fungi that cause decay in infected trees. These species will infect when trees are already stressed and susceptible to secondary problems. Armillaria is a leading contributor in oak decline, a group of issues coming together to cause oak trees to die off.

Some Armillaria species can produce three different fungal signs- Rhizomorphs, mycelial mats and clusters of mushrooms. These signs are all helpful identification tools.

These fungi have two ways to cause infection- via spores and/or through roots via rhizomorphs.

It is argued that Armillaria can be curatively treated with phosphonates and/or growth regulators. However, the efficacy of these treatments is not clear. Preventative treatment can be as simple as general plant health care and avoiding wounding of trees.

10. Black knot

Prunus trees, such as plums and cherries, are coveted in our landscapes for their flowers and their fruit. Unfortunately, they are susceptible to a destructive fungus called black knot, Apiosporina morbosa. Black knot of prunus causes a unique canker that can block vascular movement through cankers/galls.

Black knot cankers/galls release spores in the spring and are either blown or splashed to a new host site. New growth on trees and shrubs is particularly susceptible to infection. Once infected, the twigs start to swell and turn an olive-green color. Due to the initial canker color lacking contrast with the natural color of tree twigs, most black knot infections are not noticed until the second year of infection. In the second season, the swollen cankers turn a dark black color, which is also when they start to release spores.

If black knot is noticed before the cankers are out of control, pruning out of the fungus is possible and effective. When pruning out cankers, it is important to prune at least six inches below the swelling, but 12 inches is ideal. It is important to sanitize your tools between each cut, so you don’t actively spread the fungus. When pruning is complete, make sure to remove all debris. If black knot is detected too late, meaning there are too many cankers to prune out, then there are no treatment options.

The authors are technical advisors for The Davey Institute at The Davey Tree Expert Co.

Gabriele Lasco started his landscaping company in 1995, at one point managing roughly 500 clients in his area of Texas and employing four people.

But 2020 was particularly difficult for Lasco. Over the last few years, he reduced his staff to just a one-man operation, and he’s found a steady decline in the amount of work he once booked. The pandemic served as his company’s death sentence: He didn’t have the resources on his own to navigate COVID-19.

Larger businesses in his area could equip their employees with proper PPE and disinfect their materials after use, and Lasco found he lost nearly all of his clients who seemed “terrified” to meet with him. Other companies had better resources allocated toward advertising, while Lasco says he never garnered an audience on social media like some of his peers at larger companies.

Earlier this summer, Lasco decided to close up shop. His company that earned him money through thick and thin — even the Great Recession in 2007-2009 — could no longer support him. Lasco is still deciding what’s next for him. He could go work for another landscaping company, or he might end up leaving the industry altogether.

“That’s life. There’s nothing you can do about it,” Lasco says. “It is what it is, and it’s nobody’s fault. Nobody wants this. I guess everybody’s struggling.”

COVID might not have decimated most companies like it has Lasco’s, — in fact, some had record breaking years — but uncertainty remains around what’s next in this pandemic that remains. The State of the Industry research indicates most contractors are worrying less about COVID than they were in the year prior, but as phrases like “Delta variant” and “booster shot” become more common, so does the precariousness of the pandemic.

“(I went) months and months and months with no money,” Lasco says, adding he just recently sold his truck as well. “I just couldn’t keep hoping something happened.”

Managing amidst COVID.

While Lasco’s company faded during COVID, Ben Whanger in Virginia decided to start his own. In June 2020, Whanger opened the doors to Rivah Lawn and Landscapes and says he has no regrets starting a company in the pandemic.

That’s not to say there aren’t still struggles. Whanger says his company didn’t receive the same grant money other small, local businesses received at the very beginning of the pandemic, and of his initial four employees, two have already left the company. Finding new labor is a chore, and even after some unemployment money from the government dried up, Whanger says he still hasn’t seen a good number of applications come in.

Even through that, Whanger says his company has managed to succeed. But COVID itself — and not just the lingering economic consequences — has also caused issues at his company. Just recently, Whanger spent $500 to put one of his employees up in a hotel because the rest of the employee’s family tested positive for COVID. Whanger spent more money to help his employee get a test and then paid his employee for two workless days while they awaited test results.

The test came back negative, and the employee returned to work. Still, Whanger says he’s going to continue to roll with the punches as COVID has forced him to do several times already.

“I’m concerned,” he says. “COVID’s not gone, and I don’t know when it’s going to be gone. I think we’ve got some serious issues coming down the pipeline.”

Whanger says that he’s balanced being a responsible employer during COVID with also allowing his employees to get the job done without being overbearing.

“I’m not overprotective, but I keep a mask with me, and we’re not usually together a lot,” he says. “We usually drive separate, and they’ve got masks.”

Lingering effects.

Ted Glaser’s company has managed to return much of their daily processes to normal. Operating out of Lincoln, Nebraska, Summit Lawns is back to working fully in person, including in the office. There are exceptions, like when the team needs to buckle down to prevent the spread of COVID. When Glaser was interviewed for this story, he was working remotely because he was exposed to someone who tested positive.

“We follow whatever local mandates are in effect,” Glaser says. “If we know someone had direct exposure, we keep them out of the office.”

He added that getting supplies and equipment has been more challenging than in years past, but there could be plenty of other contributing factors in 2021 than just COVID. Weather is a big factor, like the Texas freeze, and hot, dry climates causing problems with low grass seed numbers in Oregon. But Glaser says his company is definitely feeling the pinch: He’s kicking himself for not ordering tractors he needs for snow removal season because now he’s not sure he’ll get them in time.

“…scenarios like this will put you in a place where you go, ‘YOLO. Let’s huck it.’ I would say we’re probably a little more open to making big changes quickly (since COVID began).” Ted Glaser, owner, Summit Lawns

“Here I am trying to get tractors for snow removal that’ll be here when the grass is green in the spring,” he says.

Of course, like Whanger mentioned, the other issue is labor. Glaser laughs when his friends from other industries bring up their recent labor shortages that arose because of the pandemic. In the green industry, that problem’s long been plaguing companies.

“We’ve been in a shortage for several years — welcome to the party,” he says. “Labor has been extremely difficult, and COVID has not made it any easier.”

Looking ahead.

It’s uncertain whether things are getting better — Glaser says his city just reimplemented a mask mandate — but operating in COVID also doesn’t feel as foreign as it did when the pandemic first began.

“We’re working pretty day-to-day,” Whanger says. “We just don’t know what’s going to happen with COVID.”

While Whanger started a company in the pandemic, Glaser has improved his. He doesn’t know if he can directly attribute his company’s aggressive growth path to COVID or to improved processes — he admits that maybe it’s a bit of both. He has owned Summit Lawns for the duration of its nearly 10 years in operation. With roughly 20 employees helping the company earn $2 million in revenue this year, Glaser says his company has evolved dramatically in the last 12 months.

“On one hand, people have said since people aren’t traveling, people are investing in their homes. On the other hand, we’ve built up on the infrastructure of our business… our processes are better. We are a better company,” Glaser says. “I think being in a scenario where if you’re going to survive, you need to adapt and adapt quickly…scenarios like this will put you in a place where you go, ‘YOLO. Let’s huck it.’ I would say we’re probably a little more open to making big changes quickly (since COVID began).”

There are some silver linings for all the contractors operating in COVID, even for Lasco, who had to shut down his company. He says he has no hard feelings about the tough luck, adding that he had fun running the company and it helped him learn lessons about perseverance.

“I realized my dream: a house,” Lasco says. “It’s all paid off. That’s what the sacrifice was all for.”