We’re working on getting our July issue to the press this week, and the whole thing focuses on water. We’ve got features on the best plants to use in drought-stricken climates, how to position your company as a water management adviser and a big set of data from homeowners on their perceptions of water in the landscape.

It’s going to be great, but in the meantime, here’s two guys filming water droplets at high speed.

Some very cool stuff this week: New research examines the health benefits of green space, a big western city is raising water rates because people are saving too much water and Pittsburgh reinvents itself from a black smudge of steel factories to a champion of sustainability. There’s hope for us all.

See you next week.

• ASLA Guide to Washington’s great landscapes was nominated for a Webby. Vote here.
• Portland is raising its water rates to keep pace with lagging demand.
• The outside Rx.
• Related: New study further shows health benefits of green space.
• 6 of the coolest trees in America.
• How to choose a board for your business.
• Above: Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory opens the Center for Sustainable Landscapes at the “greenest building on Earth.”

A massive chainsaw suspended from a helicopter to trim trees?

You say overkill. I say New Jersey.

a Forest Year from motionkicker on Vimeo.

This week I’ve got a lot of cool forest stuff for you, as well as the latest research on America’s Hispanic population and a neat case study on water savings. Needless to say, it’s a grab bag. Have a great weekend!

• New research on America’s Hispanic population.
• Case study: Stay Green saves HOA a ton of water.
• Old-school tree ID.
• The most admired companies (via Joe Calloway)
• How to write a great bio.
• Seven-layer forest.
• Above: A year in the forest condensed into a two-minute time-lapse. (via Karen Varga)

Love these new commercials for John Deere equipment – the first such campaign for the guys in green in 175 years. A great example of sharing a powerful message in a short time.

Spring isn’t technically here yet, but we’ve made it through the longest shortest month, and that’s reason enough to celebrate. This week I’ve brought you a solid reading list, a video to share with your friends and a great post on marketing.

• Lead gen tips for your sales team.
• Jim McCutcheon explains that you can make real money as a landscaper. (via Chris Heiler)
• Late winter reading list from Marty.
• Medieval flower clock.
• Rainscaping is growing more popular out east.
• Marketing means answering this question: Who do we want to change?
• Learn more about how to figure that out in our Grow the Market report.
• Above: Some pre-spring blooms to get you through the rest of winter.

Here’s our round-up of the most interesting (and mostly tree-related) stuff from the web this week. Enjoy!

• The world’s oldest trees are disappearing.
• Related: A map of the world’s oldest trees.
• NatGeo sends its photographers to document research on the President in Sequoia National Park.
• Damage to the NYBG from Superstorm Sandy.
• One non-tree thing: Asking great questions.
• Above: Time-lapse of fall in Central Park.

Here’s our collection of interesting things we found on the internet this week. Enjoy, and have a great weekend.

• A visual guide to American employee tenure.
• Demand for water will outstrip supply by 2030. (via @H2Otrends)
• 40 things to say before you die. (via @joecalloway)
• Long read: Flowers in the psych ward.
• New report: Home prices up in many markets.
• Where do multimillionaires live?
• Above: 9 things you can do to stay in the black this year.

Here’s our weekly digest of cool stuff from the web. Enjoy!

• Tips on helping landscapes recover from flooding.
• Zero-turns on Dancing with the Stars. That is all.
• Very cool program for Spanish speakers in the Denver area. (via CoCal Landscape)
• Best and worst vehicles for insurance claims and injuries.
• Brooklyn’s Weeping Elm.
• Above: Next time your in Vegas, call up Zappos. They’ll pick you up for a free tour of their new HQ.

Because it’s Halloween, and lots of folks are busy digging out from Super-mega-frankentstorm Sandy, here are the top 10 ways to smash a pumpkin in slow motion.

But, if you ask me, the best way to smash a pumpkin is to use a high-power hydraulic cannon.

Happy Halloween!