2009 CLCA Trophy Awards Judging Criteria

Each entry shall be judged independently on site by the judges using separate judging sheets. Judges shall judge each item of work you specify on the entry form. Projects should be ready to be judged at any time after September 1, 2010. The more information that is provided in the application, the easier it is to judge.

Installation Categories

  • Finish Grading Smooth gradual transitions of landscaped area, complete drainage of all excess water.
  • Soil Preparation Even, uniform mixing of soil amendment. Healthy plants in the area. Test with soil probe.
  • Drainage Concealment of day lighted pipe, use of proper catch basins, placement of drains, connections to downspouts, drainage for decks.
  • Plant Material Good healthy appearance, even branching, root ball planted at the proper height, and properly staked and tied. Evenly spaced and good growing condition.
    The following are judged by these criteria:
    • Trees
    • Shrubs
    • Groundcover
    • Vines
  • Turf Smooth even grade with good physical appearance, even texture and good green color.
  • Header Boards Good tight lamination, proper staking, neat appearance.
  • Irrigation Strategic head setting, easy access to valves and controller, use of proper backflow device. Neatness in wiring.
  • Masonry Even mortar joints, true to grade. Neat and clean overall appearance. ITEMIZE
  • Concrete Proper grading, high quality finish, neat and clean. ITEMIZE
  • Decks, Benches High-quality materials with a good foundation and adequate structural strength, good construction detail.
  • Fences Plumb not warped, post set properly in concrete so water drains away.
  • Water Features Good circulation and aeration. High-quality finish and aesthetically pleasing in appearance. The pump must be running.
  • Retainer See Fences.Sufficient vertical support for wood retainers. ITEMIZE

Maintenance Categories

Judging for maintenance categories shall be based on:

  • General apearance
  • Trees Good healthy appearance, structurally pruned and properly staked. No mower or weedeater damage to trunks.
  • Shrubs Properly pruned, insect free with a healthy, vigorous appearance.
  • Groundcover Cover full and mature, edged neatly off walks and away from buildings. Trimmed around shrubbery and trees.
  • Turf Green and lush in appearance, weed free, mowed and edged neatly. Basins around weed and debris free.
  • Annual Color Well-selected accent color, neat and weed free. Good quality for time of year.
  • Irrigation
  • Planter Maintenance
  • Water Management
  • Water Features ITEMIZE

Judging Procedures

Judges are selected on the basis of their knowledge, independence, integrity and objectivity. Projects are judged anonymously. All entries will be personally inspected by the judges and evaluated according to quality of workmanship, quality of construction detail, quality of landscape materials and overall appearance. There is a possibility that a category may have no awards presented, even though entries were submitted. Contractors should notify property owners that judging is scheduled to begin on or around August 13, 2010 and is expected to continue for two to three weeks.

Itemization

This aspect must be listed specifically in order to be judged. Entrants should ONLY list the parts of a project they were responsible for on page D of the entry form.