The Abbottsford Mahjongg Group meets every Wednesday from 2-4pm in the clubhouse for fun games among residents. They are always welcoming new members to join the weekly event. If you would like to join or are interested in learning how to play, please contact Donna Kestner at 615-504-5555.

Thank you to the neighbors who attended Abbottsford’s open landscape forums.  We appreciate your input and value your suggestions. Conversations will be ongoing. For those of you unable to attend, we discussed the following topics:

1.  Drought and flash freeze damage.  Experts advise we wait and see what “leafs out” in the next couple of months before pruning or replacing plants.  Dead leaves don’t necessarily mean you have a dead plant.  We will likely need to prune more than usual, but many plants will recover.
2.  Landscape Designer/Landscape Architect consultation for changes to the main entrance of Abbottsford.  Abbottsford’s entrance is in decline, and consulting a landscape designer will ensure an attractive solution that meets Abbottsford’s needs and overall aesthetic.  Neighbors requested that the plans be shared with the community. Additional landscaping design input will be assessed and budgeted on other projects as well.
3.  Landscape Master Map: This map contains information about dead/dying tree locations, planting locations for the 25 free trees from Root Nashville, and descriptions of future projects/concerns Abbottsford hopes to address in the next several years.  Each tab contains a description if you would like additional details.  This map will change as projects are completed or as problems are addressed. Landscaping Committee Master Map – Google My Maps
4. Overgrown Shrubs:  After years of hedge-trimming, many of Abbottsford’s shrubs are overgrown.  In mid to late March, your boxwoods and Japanese Yews can be thinned.  Creating “sky holes” will allow sunlight and air to reach the center of your shrubs.  This promotes new leaf growth at the base and interior of your shrubs, so that they can be reduced in size within the next year or two, without looking completely bare.  Disinfect hand pruning tools between shrubs to reduce the spread of disease.  Nandinas are likely a casualty of the flash freeze.  If they survive, remove a third of the oldest canes at the base to promote a bushier overall appearance.  This prevents the “witches broom” look,  where all of the growth is in the upper third of the plant.  Nandinas may regrow from root sprouts, if you choose to cut them to the ground.
5. Sunrise Concerns:  Some neighbors are very happy with Sunrise and others are very unhappy.  We discussed some of the challenges with Sunrise (communication, service inequity, and overgrown shrubs).  The voices of all of Abbottsford’s neighbors matter.  We will continue working to find reasonable, equitable, and valuable solutions to your concerns.
6. Suggestions:  Neighbors requested more regular updates and advice on handling common landscaping challenges.  They also suggested a questionnaire go out to all neighbors enabling an honest assessment of homeowners experiences with Sunrise, so we can accurately judge the extent of contentment or concern throughout the neighborhood.
7. Landscape Reporting System:  Both Cody Carroll and Sunrise immediately get a copy of requests made through the landscape reporting system.  Sunrise has three weeks to follow up with you or address your concern.  Cody can follow up with Sunrise if they do not resolve the issue within those three weeks.  This reporting system ensures fairness to both Abbottsford neighbors and Sunrise. Landscaping Request Form – Abbottsford

Don’t let the warm weather fool you.  Abbottsford will still experience cold weather.  Spring arrives March 21st, but Nashville’s average last frost date is April 20th.  It’s safe to prune the dead leaves from your hellebores and trim your ornamental grasses now. 

Thank you!

Ashley Cantrell

Abbottsford Landscape Chair

210-827-3736

ashleycantrell3@gmail.com

Neighbors, please share your thoughts and opinions with members of your Abbottsford management team, at one of two open landscape forums.  Your input will help us develop a comprehensive plan for the future of Abbottsford.  Drinks and snacks will be provided.  What do you love about Abbottsford’s landscaping?  What improvements would you like to see, if any?  Successes, suggestions, concerns, and input are greatly appreciated.

Two Open Landscape Forums

1.  Monday, February 13th from 1:30pm to 3pm

2.  Wednesday, February 15th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Where:  Abbottsford’s Clubhouse 

Possible Topics

• Dying trees/shrubs:  Are they really dead or will they recover?
• Overgrown shrubs:  What can I do about them in my yard?  What are you doing about them in the common areas?
• Upcoming Tree plantings (planting map in the link below):  Why do we need more trees?
• English Park Aesthetic:  How can we maintain our park-like appearance and also remain competitive for the future?
• Entrance Appearance Decline:  What is the plan to address it?
• Irrigation and Maintenance:  Can we reduce our costs and improve functionality?
• Screening needs along Abbottsford’s Perimeter:  How are we addressing this?
• Communication/Landscaping Reporting System:  Why does it matter?
• Any other landscaping topic you would like to discuss.

Upcoming Tree Planting Map and Details:  

• https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1SgjFdR3avDyV_IXcFM1Hxr4MjuLuMHI&ll=36.10529296841864%2C-86.82909153517267&z=19
• Click on each tree icon within the map to see details about selection of each planting location.
• The 25 Trees that will be planted in February and March, 2023, include the following: 

(3) Swamp White Oak:  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/quercus-bicolor/

(4) Blackgum:  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/nyssa-sylvatica/

(7) Serviceberry:  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/amelanchier/

(11) Sweetbay Magnolia:  https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/magnolia-virginiana/

Thank you, neighbors.

Ashley Cantrell

Landscape Chair/HOA Board

210-827-3736

Ashleycantrell3@gmail.com

Jan 31st Deadline: After January 31st, if your vehicles do not have an approved, dated parking approval, you may be subject to warnings and/or fines as listed in the parking rules section of the Rules & Regulations. Requests that have already been submitted will be finalized after board consideration. You may continue to park as usual while your request is being validated.

Jan 10th-We are currently evaluating resident parking throughout the community. If any resident of your property currently parks a vehicle outside of your garage, driveway, or alleyway please submit a Temporary Parking Request. These parking forms are not required for visitors, service providers, or short-term resident parking needs. Please reach out to your site manager if you do have extended length visitors or long-term work at your home. This information is helpful when monitoring parking throughout the neighborhood.

As always, if you need assistance, have questions, or need a relevant paper form delivered to your mailbox please email abbottsford615@gmail.com or call/text 615-578-1616.

Online Temporary Parking Request – Abbottsford

Many of you have expressed concern about the plants damaged by the recent winter storm.   

After consulting with landscape experts, we believe that some of the plants only appear dead, but will likely drop the dead leaves as new growth appears in early spring.  Until then, we will not know the extent of the damage with absolute certainty. Resist the impulse to prune out the dead leaves because they provide protection from additional winter storms yet to come.  Pruning too early will result in additional damage to plants and risk killing them. Taking this “wait and see” approach will help us determine the extent of the damage and minimize unnecessary pruning and replacements. Abbottsford is in communications with Sunrise and will re-evaluate contract pruning needs in mid to late February. Hopefully, the damage is not as extensive as it appears.  If surface pruning is all that is needed, no extra expense will be necessary. If any heavy pruning or removal of dead plant material is needed, Sunrise and other landscapers you use will need to charge extra for those services.

Our recommendations at this time are to contact your desired landscape service provider and get on their schedule now for future pruning services in the early spring. Landscapers will likely be inundated with a high volume of extra pruning requests in early spring. Go ahead and put your name on their list and check in with them in a few weeks if you know you want extensive pruning or removal of shrubs on your property.  

How And When To Prune After Winter Damage: Treating Trees And Shrubs With Winter Damage (gardeningknowhow.com)