Lighting a Path to Healing this Christmas

Spreading holiday wishes of love, joy, peace and health is something that First Choice Tree Service (FCTS)  in Las Vegas does not take for granted.  And, there are occasions when we feel compelled to do a little extra when the opportunity arises.  Early this month, First Choice Tree Service received a call from a Las Vegas resident who wanted the exterior of his home lit with Christmas lights. Normally, FCTS does not offer residential home and tree lighting, but this time, an exception was made.

The man on the phone described his situation involving his wife who had been battling breast cancer.  She was due to come home from the hospital to rest and enjoy a peaceful Christmas with him and the family.  Her stage four cancer had taken a toll, and she had been in the hospital for a few months.  Her husband wanted to bring her home to a sanctuary that was both tranquil and uplifting.

"When I received the call and heard his story, I wanted to make this happen for him," says Diego Aguilera, of First Choice Tree Service.  "Even though we only light commercial properties, I knew that Tony Valenti (FCTS owner) and the rest of us would want to offer to light the home for him and his wife."

First Choice Tree Service sent out a crew to light the perimeter of his house, as well as the landscaping that surrounded it.  All the labor and material were donated.

"He was really please with his house," says Aguilera.  "But more than that, we are so happy to have helped him during this difficult time.  Hopefully the lights will provide some hope and peace this season.

Las Vegas Tree Lighting Comes to Life at Springs Preserve

Commercial holiday tree lighting in Las Vegas has come to be a significant part of First Choice Tree Service, Southern Nevada's premiere tree care company.  In addition to illuminating a few notable resort casino properties on the Las Vegas Strip, FCTS lit up the grounds of the beautiful Springs Preserve, a 180-acre attraction in Las Vegas, featuring botanical gardens, museums, exhibits, trails and more.  First Choice Tree Service put up nearly half a million LED lights to celebrate the spirit of the season, as part of Springs Preserve's  Holiday Spectacular, which takes place on December 8 and 9th, and December 15-23 when the park will be open during the evening hours from 5-9 p.m.

"Lights during the holidays is part of the magic and wonder," says Tony Valenti, owner of First Choice Tree Service.  "The Springs Preserve is such a great place for locals and visitors to spend the day and learn about the area's land and history and by night it turns into a whole other attraction during holidays."

Crews from Las Vegas’ premiere tree care service company spent all of October trimming and wrapping strands upon strands of multi-colored LED lights to achieve the brilliance for gazers to enjoy.  To ensure safety of visitors, majority of the work occured at night between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. when pedestrian traffic was the lowest.  The 5-8 person crew climbed trees and worked on higher limbs via extension buckets. 

As millions of lights are now illuminating Las Vegas, his company knows just how much safety plays in transforming properties into magical wonders.

Visit Springs Preserve for the holidays this season.  For more information about commercial tree lighting and tree service, visit www.firstchoicetree.com.

First Choice Tree Service in Las Vegas succeeds in hotel-top tree removal

Getting a palm tree off the top of a casino/resort in Las Vegas sounds like no easy feat, but sometimes it has to be done.  This is exactly what First Choice Tree Service of Las Vegas did at Red Rock Casino & Hotel earlier this month.  Since the resort opened in 2006, a trio of palm trees graced the deck of the penthouse level suite of the Las Vegas resort.  When one of them, an 18-ft tall palm, perished, it required removal.

The difficulties were only huge due to the height - approximately 300-400 feet to the ground below - as well as the distance to the edge of the building.  The palm was situated in a vaulted planter just 5 feet from the edge.  Often during tree removals, adjoining trees surrounding the one to be removed act as additional sources of support.  The crew was not able to leverage the support of a nearby tree in this case.

“This job was not too different from any job we do day-to-day at residential and commercial properties,” says Gene Cimorelli, executive vice president/general manager of First Choice Tree Service.  “All our jobs are hazardous; but this one just took place a little higher than most." 

And, while there are many ways to remove trees from tops of buildings, like a helicopter or a crane, the property opted for neither and went with the option to cut the palm tree into small sections and bring them down through the property's interior passageways.

An experienced removal crew of three men and a safety director was on site to assess the work and ensure safety procedures were followed.  "While we are sensitive to the hotel guests and to the everyday operations of a busy property, such as this casino resort, ultimately, our goal was to remove the palm tree safely," says Leon Pera, First Choice Tree's safety director. Replacement of the palm may possibly take place next spring.

First Choice Tree Service spreads its passion for tree research in the Pacific Northwest

Tony Valenti, Michael Corrente & Lisa Ortega

At First Choice Tree Service in Las Vegas, tree research and education is our passion.  While we are out there everyday doing what we do best - caring for, and maintaining the trees of Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County, not to mention all the residences that cover Southern Nevada -  we look for opportunities to spread the word.  Last week, we sponsored cyclist, Michael Corrente, in the Stihl Tour des Trees bike ride through the Pacific Northwest to benefit the TREE fund.

Educating kids about caring for urban trees and forests.

He, along with other riders from the country, joined together to ride over 565 miles and raised money for tree research and education.  They started from Portland, OR, and traced a counter-clockwise loop that included the Oregon coastline, vineyards, high desert and Columbia River Gorge, with Douglas firs and Mt. Hoot provided the backdrop for the visually spectacular week.

"What's amazing is that Michael is the only rider from Nevada to have participated in this ride, and we're proud to have helped him on his mission," says Tony Valenti, president of First Choice Tree Service."  Watch the video below to find out more!

Congratulations to Michael on a successful ride!

Las Vegas Tree Professionals Gear Up for Safety

    

Las Vegas tree professionals at First Choice Tree Service are "tying the knot" with safety.  The tree service company's crew, led by Safety Director, Leon Pera, has been undergoing a series of classes to aide them in their efficiency in tree climbing and safety.  Being accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), the company strives to maintain its safety standards and lead the way in Southern Nevada.

"Learning the names of the knots is as equally important as knowing how to tie them and use them," says Pera. "It's all about educating our employees and teaching them assessment techniques for emergencies."

The crew has undergone first aid and CPR courses and a series of hands-on training in the areas of aerial rescue training and advanced tree climber training.

"We teach them how to use the equipment that they already have with them, to perform tree rescues," says Pera.  "Let's say if a team member is suffering from dehydration and is unable to come down, our own on-site team is capable and equipped to put together a rescue team and efficiently bring the person down while medical help is on its way."

Training at First Choice Tree Service results in certification, but moreover efficiency on the job, skilled professionalism and confidence.

"Seeing our company grow to the next level of expertise is a place that we've wanted to be for years," says Tony Valenti, owner of First Choice Tree Service. "We've set high expectations to be the best in Las Vegas, and it feels great to know that everyone is on board to achieve success."

Roe Valenti Earns Certified Arborist Certification

Roe Valenti

How many certified arborists does it take to properly care for the trees in Southern Nevada?  

The more the better, according to Roe Valenti, who just just passed her International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification exam earlier this month.  Now, Las Vegas-based First Choice Tree Service (and its customers) have four certified arborists among its team of tree experts. 

“Being a certified arborist adds value to me and to the company,” says Roe.  “Besides the fact that we are accredited by TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association), it just makes us more competitive within our field.”

According to Roe, the biggest challenge to becoming certified was absorbing all the material.  “There is so much of it, from pruning to plant health care, risk assessment to soil management, and tree identification, biology and more,” says Roe.

Earning this credential is a voluntary activity, but it demonstrates proper knowledge and skills, as well as a high level of dedication to the profession and to the community. It is said that only 30% of exam takers pass on the first try.  "Knowing this pushed me even harder, along with having a passion for the industry," says Roe.  "I just love it!"