Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards 2024
The Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards are presented each year to landscaping firms who have completed outstanding projects. Landscaping firms submit their best projects to be reviewed by a panel of industry professionals.
Applications MUST be submitted online. Applications submitted by mail or in person will not be accepted.
For additional information on the TEIL Awards or the scholarship programs please visit www.tnlaonline.org
For questions contact Aimee Pledger at 512.579.3864 or email apledger@tnlaonline.org Let's
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Project Information
Project Start Date 01/2020
Project Completion Date 05/2024
Photo Name of Award's Plaque Photo 01PostTornadoTreeRestorationProject jpg
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Write a brief overview of the project and the challenges you overcame. (no more than 500 words)
Jeanette Gallardo
Marketing Coordinator
Jeanette Gallardo
On October 20, 2019, a catastrophic EF-3 tornado struck Dallas, causing over $2 billion in property damage. Our long-time client was severely affected, with their neighborhood devastated and their once-prized Live Oaks reduced to skeletal remains Despite the apparent hopelessness, the client's vision, in collaboration with our company, was to restore these seemingly perished Live Oaks. For nearly four years, we have been dedicated to reviving these trees The health and vitality of the Live Oaks were severely compromised, presenting significant challenges The trees had cracked trunks, exposed cambium layers, and a severe loss of limbs and foliage, making them vulnerable to pests and diseases Evaluating the structural integrity and risk of each tree was crucial, as was considering potential damage to property and safety hazards We needed to address these issues to form a sustainable, long-term restoration plan Our first step was to determine which trees were beyond saving based on their level of damage and risk factors. Only 4 out of the 20 trees were removed. Next, we implemented vertical mulching to nourish the root systems and stimulate new growth We performed corrective pruning on weakened and hazardous limbs, treating wounds with Lac Balsam to prevent infections A comprehensive health care program was introduced, including tree injections, sprays, deep root fertilizations, and root flare exposure This combination of treatments promoted vigorous root growth, enhanced stress tolerance, and enabled epicormic growth To revitalize the canopies, we allowed epicormic sprouts to grow unpruned for nearly three years, providing the trees with essential energy. After this period, we sculpted the new canopies, selectively pruning conflicting sprouts to establish a healthy structure This meticulous approach resulted in flourishing canopies capable of sustaining photosynthesis, phloem production, and respiration One major challenge was protecting the epicormic sprouts from squirrels They would constantly chew at epicormic sprouts that we were actively trying to shape into the new canopy We resolved this by treating wounds with Lac Balsam and correctively pruning compromised sprouts Our diligent maintenance, including quarterly arborist assessments, structural pruning, and seasonal fertilization, paid off when another storm hit on May 28, 2024 The storm produced 80+ MPH winds that damaged thousands of trees across the region, leaving even established trees uprooted Many trees fell onto homes, vehicles, and powerlines However, the Live Oaks, once ravaged by the 2019 tornado, stood firm against the destructive straight-line winds, a testament to our effective restoration efforts
Are you a member of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association?
Project Information Set Number 1
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Nearly four years ago, these Live Oaks were victims of an EF-3 tornado that struck the city of Dallas in 2019 Thanks to our arborist team's delicate and precise care, this landscape has been revitalized Above, is a photo from the Google Maps website This street view of our client's home was taken 3 months after the catastrophic tornado annihilated their trees Although at first glance these trees appear dead, our company’s arborist created a comprehensive 10-year health program to bring our client’s Live Oaks back to life
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Project Information Set Number 2
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The primary objective was to stimulate epicormic sprouting, where new growth emerges in response to damage This growth would enable the trees to produce their own energy and food through photosynthesis
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Project Information Set Number 3
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo As shown in this “before” photo, the tornado severely compromised the health of the Live Oaks, with trunks, branches, and bark torn and foliage stripped away This made the trees susceptible to infestations and decay, increasing their risk of death Since all the Live Oaks on the property became immediate risks after the storm, we had an upfront conversation regarding which trees were worth saving, how we would do so, and which trees needed to be removed
Which suppliers did you use on the project?
Project Information Set Number 4
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To determine which trees needed to be removed, our arborist asked critical questions: “Can this tree withstand future storms?” “Will the property’s value decrease without it?” and “What damage could occur if it falls?” After deliberation, we removed a large Live Oak in the yard’s left center
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Project Information Set Number 5
Additional Photo(s) Upload 06PostTornadoTreeRestorationProject.jpg.jpg
Please Add a Description of Each Photo After deciding to remove only four trees, we focused on a health program for the remaining Live Oaks Treatments included vertical mulching, tree injections, sprays, deep root fertilization, root flare exposure, and pruning to promote epicormic sprouts
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Project Information Set Number 6
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo Vertical mulching stimulated new fibrous roots, injections and sprays boosted immune systems, deep root fertilization provided essential micro-nutrients, and root flare exposure relieved soil compaction around buttress roots
Which suppliers did you use on the project? N/A
Project Information Set Number 7
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo The health program encouraged the Live Oaks to produce epicormic sprouts We decided to remove a Live Oak near the front fence that is pictured here The remaining trees were treated and pruned, resulting in the healthy Live Oaks seen in subsequent backyard photos
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Project Information Set Number 8
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo After allowing epicormic sprouts to grow for three years, they matured into full canopies We then selectively pruned conflicting sprouts to sculpt new canopies capable of producing their own energy
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Project Information Set Number 9
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo Protecting weak trees from pests that constantly chewed on the epicormic sprouts we were shaping into the new canopy was a significant challenge To address this, we treated pest-inflicted wounds with Lac Balsam, or “Artificial Bark,” which sealed and protected the trees from infections
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Project Information Set Number 10
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo This treatment proved successful, promoting healthy canopy growth and enabling the trees to conduct photosynthesis once again
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Project Information Set Number 11
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo As shown in this photo from after the tornado, one might have thought these trees wouldn’t survive another storm However, due to our team's care, persistence, and diligence, the Live Oaks have regained their strength
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Project Information Set Number 12
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Please Add a Description of Each Photo Nearly four years after the tornado, another severe storm with over 80 mph winds hit Dallas on May 28, 2024 The Live Oaks stood firm, unaffected, thanks to our quarterly arborist assessments, structural pruning every 18 months, and biannual fertilization Without these efforts and our head arborist's vigilance, these trees would likely not have survived another severe storm.
Which suppliers did you use on the project?
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