In their latest quarterly survey, The American Society of Landscape Architects says more than half of responding firms reported steady or increased billable hours and inquires for new work. Two thirds of the firms reported steady or increased billable hours in the third quarter of 2010. Seven in ten reported steady or higher inquires for new work.

The association says it sees incremental signs of improvement like work from projects originally put on hold due to the recession.

On a less optimistic note, the survey found not a lot of firms are hiring right now. The recovery from the recession has moved slowly.