The LECM Journal

Field notes from Calgary’s property maintenance specialists.

Practical guidance on snow, landscape, trees, paving, and irrigation — written by the team who shows up on site every day.

articles

Why Your Landscape and Snow Contracts Keep Underdelivering

If you manage commercial properties, this cycle probably looks familiar. Bids come in, you award the contract, and service starts strong and then slips by mid-season, until the complaints add up and you are left either locked in or searching for a replacement at the worst time of year. The cause usually is not the

Latest articles

33 articles

Tree Care

Jun 30, 2026 4 min

Structural Pruning for Safer Commercial Properties

Because the best emergency tree call is the one you never have to make. Many property managers only think about trees when something goes wrong. A branch falls during a storm. A sign becomes obstructed. A tree suddenly shows signs of disease. An emergency call gets made after heavy snow or wind damage. By the

Bradley Ward

Landscape & Lawn

Jun 16, 2026 5 min

Commercial Lawn Care Tips

The Secrets Behind a Healthy Lawn When people walk onto a commercial property with lush green turf, crisp edges, and healthy growth, they often wonder what the secret is. Most people know a great lawn when they see one, but far fewer understand what actually goes into creating and maintaining it consistently. A great commercial

Jesse Pentland

liquid compost tea organic plant fertilization

Landscape & Lawn

Jun 2, 2026 5 min

Liquid Compost Fertilizer for Commercial Landscapes. An Organic Way to Improve Soil Health

Liquid Compost Fertilizer for Commercial Landscapes. An Organic Way to Improve Soil Health Healthy landscapes start below the surface. While lush turf, vibrant trees, and thriving plant beds are what property managers and tenants notice first, the real foundation of long-term landscape health is the soil itself. That is why LECM continues to invest in

Jesse Pentland

Property Management

Mar 4, 2026 3 min

Are You Getting What You Paid For? How to Use Your Landscape Contract to Protect Service Quality and Property Value

How Property Managers Can Enforce Landscape Maintenance Contracts Without Spending More Commercial landscape contracts are detailed for a reason. They define scope, frequency, quality standards, and expectations that protect both the property manager and the vendor. Yet across the industry, many property managers experience the same frustration: the contract reads one way, but the results

Caleb Clark

Property Management Snow & Ice

Mar 4, 2026 3 min

Snow Removal Is Not the Product.Risk Protection Is.

We Assume the Liability. In Calgary, many companies clear snow. Very few assume the full operational risk that comes with it. At LECM, when we manage your snow and ice program, we provide contract options that allow you to transfer winter slip and fall liability directly to us. If a claim arises due to snow

Caleb Clark

Tree Care

Nov 3, 2025 2 min

Why Elm Trees Should Only Be Pruned in Winter

Why Is Elm Pruning Different? Elm trees are an important part of Calgary’s urban forest. In fact, they make up about 20% of the city’s tree canopy. But elms are vulnerable to Dutch elm disease, a deadly condition spread by the elm bark beetle. If elms are pruned at the wrong time, they can attract

Bradley Ward

Tree Care

Nov 3, 2025 2 min

Why Winter is the Best Time to Prune Your Trees

Is Winter Really the Right Time to Prune Trees? When most people think about tree pruning, they imagine it happening in spring or summer when trees are green and full. But did you know that winter is actually the best time to prune trees in Calgary? Not only does winter pruning promote healthier growth and

Bradley Ward

Tree Care

Oct 9, 2025 2 min

Tree Risk Assessment For Your Commercial Property

Understanding Tree Risk Assessment A Tree Risk Assessment is a detailed inspection performed by a qualified tree risk assessor to evaluate the health, structure, and safety of your trees. At LECM, our ISA Certified Arborists use this process to identify potential hazards — such as weak branch attachments, decay, disease, or root damage — before

Bradley Ward

Tree Care

Oct 9, 2025 1 min

The Value of ISA Certification

What It Means to Be an ISA Certified Arborist At LECM, we’re proud that our arborists hold certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) — the international standard for professionalism and technical expertise in tree care. An ISA Certified Arborist has demonstrated a deep understanding of the science of arboriculture through rigorous training, examination,

Bradley Ward

Irrigation

Sep 25, 2025 2 min

Why Winterizing Your Commercial Irrigation System Protects Your Property and Budget

Why is winterization important in Calgary & area? Winterization is the process of preparing your commercial irrigation system for freezing temperatures. It typically involves shutting off the water supply, draining the lines, and using compressed air to “blow out” any remaining water. This prevents costly damage to pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads caused by frozen

Elvis Echon

Tree Care

May 30, 2025 2 min

June Storms & Tree Failures: What Calgary Property Managers Need to Know

In Calgary, June isn’t just the beginning of summer — it’s also peak storm season. With unpredictable weather patterns bringing heavy rains, high winds, and occasional hail, this time of year puts significant strain on the trees that line our commercial properties, pathways, and parking lots. As a commercial property manager or owner, understanding the

Bradley Ward

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