When is the best time to trim your trees?

Now is the correct answer!  For most trees, the dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best time to prune although dead branches can and should be removed at any time. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect infestation as both fungi and insects are likely to be in dormancy at the same time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect the shape of the tree.

  

Call today for a free consultation with our licensed arborist!

Did you make the good list this year?

 During this holiday season, give yourself a gift you will you enjoy for years to come - an outdoor kitchen!  In today's home, the backyard has become an extension of your living space.  Give yourself a present this year with a new space you will love.

Whether you like to entertain family or friends or just want a backyard retreat, we can design the perfect space for you!  Preferred is your complete source for custom designed outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pergolas - we have done it all!   



Its Raining, Its Pouring...

I know we are all busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays but have you noticed all the rain we are getting?

The rain and cooler temperatures makes this a perfect time to update your landscaping.  This is a great opportunity to spruce up landscaping that may have suffered from the drought this summer. 

It is also a perfect time to convert your irrigation system to drip irrigation so you can be ready to tackle the next drought. Drip irrigation can be used for both landscape beds and your lawn.  With drip irrigation you can water your landscape more efficiently and have more flexibility even when there are water restrictions. 

Give us a call for a free consultation - 210-657-7737

Are you in the dark?

The recent time change offers many early-evening opportunities to check out the darkness around our homes. Here are a few things to look for:

• Are sidewalks and steps well-lit for guests?

• Can people see your address clearly from the street?
• Would your home be more secure if lights were placed around it?

Here are some additional things to consider:
• It can be done easily during the winter months and in existing landscapes
• Landscape lighting takes advantage of new LED technology and uses as much as 80 percent less energy than traditional lighting. This means lower energy costs.

Tonight take a look over your landscape and imagine what a little light could do.

Here is another quick article on Preferred!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/Lightscapers-to-the-city-2350715.php

Environmental Friendly Light for the Holidays

San Antonio River Walk Installation by Preferred Holiday Decor Sets the Standard for One of the Largest Environmentally-Friendly Projects in Texas

http://www.businesswire.com/news/dallasnews/20111201006400/en

Testimonial Tuesday

Here is an email we received last week - Thanks for the great compliments!

Hi Darryl.

Just thought you would enjoy knowing how much we enjoyed the back yard over the Thanksgiving holiday. We hosted family, and the yard looked fabulous. Knockout roses were blooming, and the weather was picture perfect. Every time we looked around, family members had wandered out to the yard to enjoy the round arbor, sit on the rock wall, gather around the fire pit, drink good wine and otherwise just hang out. The yard does just what you envisioned and hoped it would - it invites you out.

Best wishes for a great holiday season. Laurie

Preferred puts sparkle in season

Check out a recent news article about holiday decor featuring Preferred Holiday Decor!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Firms-put-sparkle-in-season-2335960.php#photo-1844217

New LED lights on Riverwalk get the thumbs up!

Check out this recent article on the lighting ceremony and river parade from Friday.  We are excited to be a part of the project!
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Lights-amp-up-river-parade-2293341.php

A new look for the Riverwalk

Preferred is very excited to be a part of the new LED light project for the City of San Antonio.  Even if you have been to the Riverwalk during the holidays in past years, this year there will be several new features to look for including a light display on the bridges, new lights for the trees along the riverwalk and new decorations from local businesses in response to the Mayor's "Light up Downtown" contest.

What do you think?

Photos by
Shane Kyle

Are you ready for the holidays?

We are all hustling and bustling around here putting up holiday decor for many different companies, malls and the city of San Antonio. 



Check out the lights we just finished for a mall in Houston.  Make sure you have the sound on to really enjoy.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdEdPlnv5M0&sns=em

Testimonial Tuesday : Look at what some of our recent customers had to say about their experience

"We are thrilled with the results of our landscaping project.  Our new sod is beautiful and our updated planter beds look great with several large jars as focal points.  The drip system was a livesaver during this drought!  And the new LED lighting system highlights the whole yard.  Thanks Darryl and Crew"  ~Lois S.

"Everything was done perfectly- no stress fo me!  Thank You!"    ~Kathy S.

Is your lawn ready for the cold?

 Protect your lawn all winter long by topcoating this fall.  Topcoating is the  best thing you can do to improve the condition of your lawn's soil.  A layer of compost, if repeated annually, will gradually build up a kind of super soil layer that will support and feed your lawn. So this simple step not only renews your turfgrass - it ensures its future health. 

Gain an hour this weekend!

Daylight savings time is ending Nov 6th!

Is your landscape lighting coming on early enough?  With the clocks going back an hour and winter setting in, dusk is coming earlier and earlier.  It is time to check your timers for outdoor lighting and adjust for all the changes.  If you need help, give us a call and we would be glad to help.

How to protect your garden from Frost

Now that November has rolled in, it is important to know that the first freeze is predicted around November 28th in San Antonio.  That leaves only a few weeks to get your plants cold weather protected!

What can you do to protect your garden from frost?
1.  Mulch, Mulch, Mulch - mulching all landscape plantings and the garden is a standard cold-protection technique.  It helps insulate the root systems of all your plants.  It also traps soil warmth built up during the growing season and preserves any soil moisture.

2.  Move container grown plants into the garage or even indoors to protect them.

3.  When a heavy freeze is predicted, cover any freeze-sensitive plants at dusk after the soil and plants have absorbed the sun's heat; covering the plants traps the radiating heat. 

4.  Don't use plastic coverings or sheets to cover your plants!  Better choices include large cardboard boxes, thick wool blankets or bubblewrap.  Make sure the covering goes all the way to the ground to trap the heat.

5.  Uncover plants when the temperature rises above freezing to let the plant processes resume normal function - don't keep them covered all winter - they will suffocate!

Thank You!

Thank you for joining us for the annual fall fest and turkey drive.  We appreciate your support and it was a pleasure to spend the evening with our valued customers.  With your generosity, we were able to raise over $2,300 for the San Antonio Food Bank!

We couldn't have done it without all of our wonderful sponsors.  Thanks for your generous donations!

 

We are lit up in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month!

Preferred is cooking up some fun this weekend!

Come join us as we participate in the first annual Stone Oak Chili Cookoff and Tailgate benefiting San Antonio children's charities. Enjoy a tailgate atmosphere complete with food and refreshment booths, hourly door prizes, celebrity judges and college football on Texas-sized television.  For more information, visit http://www.stoneoakchilitailgate.com/

Come join the fun TONIGHT!

We are all very busy around here getting geared up for our fall fest this evening!  We would love to see you!

Fall Fest and Turkey Drive

5:30-8:30PM

Preferred Landscape and Lighting Design Center

26421 IH10 West

Boerne TX  78006 

Fall Fest is an annual event benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank.  We will be collecting turkeys or any donations you would like to make.

Testimonial Tuesday

We love to hear from our customers and here is a testimonial from a recent fall refresh project:

"It is a pleasure working with the Preferred Landcape and Lighting staff - they are professional, courteous, creative and helpful.  I am always satisfied with their work"  Debby Z

Now is the time to freshen up your landscape with new mulch and replace any plants that died this summer.  Give us a call if you need us to help!

Time to update your irrigation schedule

Do you still have your irrigation schedule set the same as it was this summer?   As the temperatures cool off, your landscape doesn't require the same amount of watering as it did at the peak of the summer.  In fact, Preferred recommend's adjusting your settings monthly for the most efficient irrigation.

The following is a chart we use as guidelines for sprinkler adjustments:
 

Seasonal Adjust*
23%	January
31%	February
55%	March
68%	April
66%	May
80%	June
100%	July
97%	August
61%	September
40%	October
26%	November
21%	December

*Monthly Seasonal Adjustments based on 60% effective rainfall

Another note on irrigation, despite the wonderful wet weather we had the last few weeks, San Antonio is still under Stage 2 water restrictions.  The following chart is from http://www.saws.org/:

Landscape Watering Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week from 3-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. on your designated watering day as determined by your address:
Last Digit of Street Address	Watering Day
0 or 1	Monday
2 or 3	Tuesday
4 or 5	Wednesday
6 or 7	Thursday
8 or 9	Friday
No watering on weekends with a sprinkler, soaker hose or irrigation system. Areas without a street address, such as medians and neighborhood entryways, water on Wednesday.

Preferred has won phase 2 of the downtown holiday lighting project!

Last week, San Antonio City Council awarded Preferred Landscape & Lighting the second phase of the holiday light project which is lighting of city facilities and parks with LED lights.  This will complete the transition from incandescent bulbs to LEDs of holiday lights the city controls.

“This year, in an effort to support the Mayor’s inaugural Downtown Holiday Lighting Contest, the City will utilize 100% LED lighting for all holiday lights,” according to the agenda.

Alamo Plaza, Milam Park, Travis Park, City Hall, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the Central Library and its garage, the International Center, and the Metro Health Immunization Clinic and Main Office are among the locations receiving the LED lights. 

We are only a week away from our annual fall fest!

Let it Shine!

Fall is a great time to update your outdoor lighting and evening is the time to show your home in its best light.  LED is the revolution in outdoor lighting offering huge cost savings because it uses less electricity then tradional lighting. 
Preferred Landscape and Lighting works with several different LED suppliers in order to bring you an extensive selection of LED fixtures. There are designs to fit all your needs in accent lights to path lights and everything in between. 

Here are some pictures of a recent lighting job we completed that shows a few examples of LED lighting options.



We love the new LED lights from Kichler to use on steps, deck, bench and outdoor kitchens



An accent light can really create a dramatic look in your landscape

Before and After

One of our favorite things about our job is to see the beautiful landscape transformations.  Here are some before and after shots of a recent project that was designed by Preferred's designer, Robert Watson. 

 

Testimonial Tuesday

Here is what a few of our customers have said recently of Preferred Tree Care:

 

"Preferred has been caring for our oak trees for the last 5 years.  Because of the care, they stand out as some of the most beautiful trees in the neighborhood"     ~Randy and Denise Surratt

 

"Chris was able to show up an hour early which was great.  Chris is a very polite and professional young man who made our tree problem disappear without hesitation.  We have recommeneded your company for 4 years now to our firends and neighbors"               ~ Ron Wallace Jr.

Gearing up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

La Cantera is gearing up again for Breast Cancer Awareness month by dedicating a pink tree to the cause.  Preferred has adorned the tree with pink LED lights that will be displayed throughout the month of October.

 

Surviving the Drought: Autumn Action Plan

The drought conditions are expected to continue and this fall is the perfect time to get your landscape in order.  The following are ways you can get your yard repaired and prepared for the continuing drought:

• Install Drip Irrigation
• Consider Smart Controller
• Turf replacement and underlying infastructure
• Deep root fertilization of trees
• Modify landscape to reduce turf area
• Install new landscape prior to spring

If you would like Preferred to consult with you on the right action plan for your yard, please give us a call at 657-7737

Freshen up for Fall!

It doesn't seem possible with these triple digit temperatures but fall is right around the corner.  We are currently scheduling our customers for fall refresh projects to give your landscape new life for the fall and prepare for cooler temperatures. 

Now is the right time to do the following:

• Add mulch to the landscape beds
• Compost on turf
• Replace plants that have died over the summer
• Add seasonal annuals to your beds and pots

If you want to freshen up for the fall, give us a call- 657-7737

How is your grass doing?

I bet your grass is not looking very good right now?  It is a safe bet with the extreme drought conditions we have experienced this year in San Antonio and the water restrictions that have been placed on homeowners. 

However, there is an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the next drought and will save you money on your water bills.  It is a new underground drip irrigation system for your lawns.  This is easiest done when you are installing a new lawn but it can be done on an existing lawn.

Here is how it works - Tubing is trenched about 3"-4" below the grass surface and covered over with sod.  When the system comes on, the grass roots are watered -which is the only part of the grass that needs the water.  Drip irrigation is the world's most efficient type of irrigation and subsurface drip is especially so because it is unaffected by wind and evaporation resulting in 70% less water use than conventional overhead sprinklers.

Pretty Amazing - Save Water and Money and have green grass all year long!

Fall Fest Information...

Save the Date!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting

presents

Fall Fest and Turkey Drive

October 20, 2011

5:30 - 7:30

This event is to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank

Testimonial Thursday: Preferred Tree Care

Since the theme this week is tree care, I wanted to share a few recent testimonials we received from our valued tree service customers:
"Attention to detail and consideration of the little things, like presentation of the tiniest of my garden is what will keep me as a regular customer to Preferred Tree Care" ~David C

" In August 2011, during some of the hottest days ever, I contracted with Preferred Tree Care to come out and trim the moss off my live oak trees as well as clear cedar from a 200'x200' area.  Three employees (Chris, David and Lawrence) were assigned to the task and they did a thorough and very professional job - Awesome!  They were extremely hard-working, fast and efficient plus they were very polite as well as considerate to my objectives and goals.  Twice they worked until 8:00pm or later to get the job done.  I am very pleased with the work done but I was most impressed by the crew.  Also kudos to John Leifester for working with us to accomodate our budget, oversee the work and deliver as promised.  Than you and best wishes always" Javier Saldivar

The Green Shade Rebate is back starting October 1, 2011!

CPS Enegy and the City of San Antonio have partnered together to offer residential customers the Green Shade Tree Rebate!

Not only are trees aesthetically pleasing, they also increase property value, provide cooling shade to your home's interior and exterior, remove pollutants from the air, reduce stormwater runoff and improve the environment for a sustainable future.

Through Green Shade, you can receive a $50 rebate per tree (up to 3 trees) when you buy a qualified tree and plant it in the right place to save on your energy bill.

Trees planted on the west, south and east sides of your home or building provide shade from the sun during the hottest times of the day, reducing the load on your air conditioning system. Shading from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9° F. This helps reduce the burden on your air-conditioning system, which helps you save energy.  According to a study by the Houston Advanced Research Center, a mature medium or large tree planted within 10 to 30 feet of a building on the west, south or east side can save a home approximately 381 kWh per year, or roughly $37 per year, in energy savings.

For Rebate Guidelines: http://www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Rebates/Green_Shade_Trees/Green_Shade_guidelines.asp
For Qualified Trees: http://www.cpsenergy.com/images/GS_trees.jpg

We enjoyed this recent discussion on Texas Public Radio...

We enjoyed this recent discussion on how to care for trees during the drought on Texas Public Radio. 

 http://audio.tpr.org/source110901.mp3

"San Antonio has sizzled through 50 days this year, in which the temperature has hit or exceeded 100 degrees. In addition, Texas is being hammered by one of the most severe droughts on record.
San Antonio is presently in Stage 2 of water restrictions. Officials at San Antonio Water System say that if rain doesn’t come, the city could be in Stage 3 in about two weeks.

For many of us, we’ve already given up on our lawns, but we don’t want to give up on our trees. There is room in the water restriction rules that allow for hosing down your trees and keeping them alive during this last stretch of the summer.

Mark Bird is the City of San Antonio Arborist and Michael Nentwich is the City of San Antonio Forester. They joined TPR’s David Martin Davies in the studio" on September 1, 2011...

Looking for a new job?

If you are looking for a new job, take a look...

Part-Time Administrative Clerk

https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS/wtx?u=1314797672154&pageid=EM_JP_JOB_DETAILS&id=6166867&keyword=Part-time+Administrative+Clerk&pay=10&per=HR&workweek=P&duration=R&referralPage=BROWSE_POST_BY_TEXT&sort=&pageNo=

Irrigation Service Technician

http://www.irrigationjobs.com/jobview.php?jobid=2636

Cool off with a ceiling fan

It has been and continues to be one hot summer.  Another triple digit day in San Antonio with no end in sight. 

Adding a fan to your porch area is a great way to cool off.  They create a breeze that helps make this heat a bit more bearable.

When installing a fan outdoors,  it is very important to make sure it is an outdoor fan that can handle wet conditions.  Even if your porch is covered, it will still be exposed to the elements.