Landscape News
Hello, neighbors!
We wanted to share a quick update on what the Landscape Committee has been working on to keep our neighborhood looking its best and to help our landscape thrive through the seasons.
At our September 21 meeting, the committee discussed a variety of ongoing maintenance items and upcoming projects, including:
Giving Our Hollies a Little Attention
One of the main topics discussed was the pruning and limbing-up of the holly trees in our medians, along with several overgrown corners throughout all of Lochmere. .
The committee voted to move forward with this work, following the pruning recommendations provided by one of our arborist tree contractors—particularly their guidance for properly pruning hollies. The goal is to improve the appearance and structure of these plants while keeping them healthy and allowing the landscape to look more open and well maintained.
🐝 Celebrating Our Native Plants
We also wanted to share a great example of what native planting can do for our neighborhood! By providing food and habitat for pollinators, native plants play an important role in supporting a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Native Plants Matter recently shared a video showcasing the successful results of native planting right here in our community. It’s a great example of how thoughtful planting choices can make a meaningful difference.
For more information about native planting projects in Lochmere—including ideas and suggestions for incorporating native plants into your own landscape—visit the Lochmere Landscape Committee website.
Lochside bees 2026-06-10.MOV - Google Drive
🍂 Leave the Leaves!
Fall has finally arrived this November and those beautiful leaves are coming down. Our HOA landscapers are blowing leaves from some common spaces to tree beds and shrub beds to serve as natural mulch and nutrition. We also wanted to share some information about the benefits of “leaving the leaves.” (Leave the Leaves - Homegrown National Park )
Leaves are more than just something to rake up—they provide habitat and food for insects, support pollinators and other wildlife, return nutrients to the soil, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem. So, before we rush to clear every leaf, consider letting nature do some of the work! We request that homeowners and their personal yard contractors NOT blow leaves into islands or medians. The TOC will be coming through your neighborhood soon to pick up the leaves on the side of the curbs. TOC will not take the extra leaves blown or dumped into the islands or common spaces.
While leaves being left in natural areas is beneficial to our soil, we fully expect our landscape contractor to remove and/or address significant fallen sticks and limbs. If you note any problematic spots, please feel free to report this to our HOA Manager, Andy. We are asking our landscape contractor to more regularly service our internal islands.
We’ll continue to keep everyone updated as these projects move forward. Thank you for helping us care for and improve the landscape we all share!
Curbside Collection Delayed As Most Cary Services Pause For Veterans' Day
We have received the following notice from the Town Of Cary.
- Curbside garbage/recycling/yard waste collection will be delayed by one day for all citizens the week of November 9. This means that curbside collection will be on Friday, November 13.
As we honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of our country and their service in the Armed Forces, thank you!!!!
Loose Leaf Collection Starts In Lochmere Week of November 9
Grab a rake and participate in the Town of Cary’s free Loose Leaf Collection program. While the program has already started in other areas of Cary, Lochmere is in Leaf Zone 3 and has not started yet. The program lasts through January. Town crews will visit each street in Lochmere once per month to collect loose leaves piled at the curb.
For more, including the collection map and schedule, search HERE (just type in your address in the Search box) or call 311.
Leaves must be curbside by 7 a.m. on the first day of collection in Lochmere. Collected leaves will be mulched and returned to community parks and greenways.
Please refrain from blowing or raking leaves on to Lochmere traffic islands. The Town of Cary will not remove leaves from these islands. Leaves should be put on your property and not directly in the street.
The schedule for Lochmere pick up is as follows (this year there is no end date published for each collection group):
As you prepare your leaves for pick-up, the Town of Cary has provided the following tips to ensure your leaves are collected and to help keep our streets and crews safe during the program:
- Keep leaves along the curb and out of the roadway.
- Avoid placing leaves on sidewalks, meter boxes, sewer clean outs and storm drains.
- Place leaves away from fire hydrants and mail boxes.
- Keep trash, large stones, and other debris out of leaf piles.
- Park vehicles a safe distance from your leaves so they are accessible for pick up.
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Place loose leaves curbside by 7 a.m. on the first scheduled day of collection for your area.
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The Town of Cary trucks will come by your street once during each collection period, and it could be at the start or end of that time frame.
You may see the Town of Cary trucks on your street early as they prepare for their routes. Don't worry, they will return as scheduled to collect your leaves.
At any time during the year, leaves in reusable containers or paper bags can be placed curbside for regular yard waste collection or taken to the Citizen’s Convenience Center, 313 N. Dixon Avenue, at no charge.