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...