Tierra Viva Landscapes

A Living Brand Rooted in Integrity

In a landscape industry that’s evolving faster than ever, one Dallas, Texas-based entrepreneur is proving that integrity, precision, and horticultural passion can still form the roots of something extraordinary. Enter Tierra Viva Landscapes, launched in October 2024 by Federico Trejo, a long-time industry professional whose journey is as rich and layered as the landscapes he now curates.

A Business Born in 72 Hours

Tierra Viva didn’t come into the world with years of planning or a flashy rollout. Instead, it was born out of necessity—and a bold leap of faith.

Trejo was working as the general manager for a landscape company recently acquired by a private investment group. Unbeknownst to him, plans were unraveling behind the scenes. One Wednesday afternoon, he received news that the business would shut down in 72 hours.

Rather than watch something valuable collapse, Trejo acted. Armed with a deep understanding of the profit and loss, a loyal team, and a client base that trusted him, he tapped into his 401(k), secured trucks over the weekend, and launched Tierra Viva Landscapes by Monday morning. “It was scary,” he says, “but I believed in what we were doing, and I knew we could build something real.”

From Xbox Dreams to a High-End Brand

Trejo’’s landscaping roots trace back to Atlanta, where as a teenager he wanted to earn enough money for an Xbox. His father—a perfectionist and punch-out manager for a builder—told him to earn it. So Trejo started mowing lawns for the builder’s properties. That small business grew quickly, even weathering the 2008 recession.

But it wasn’t just a side hustle. “I realized I loved the satisfaction of seeing someone’s reaction when they stepped outside and saw the difference we’d made,” he reflects. That passion led him to pursue a degree in horticulture. In 2010, his college team won the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, further fueling his desire to blend science with service.

After earning his degree, he entered the corporate landscape world, growing through roles in operations, irrigation, and maintenance—and eventually landing leadership positions in Dallas. Still, he knew ownership was in his future. The unexpected collapse of his former company simply accelerated the timeline.

A White Glove Standard

Today, Tierra Viva Landscapes caters to high-end residential clients with large estates in Dallas. But this isn’t just another “mow, blow, and go” company. Trejo has carved out a niche defined by white glove service and horticultural precision.

“We offer what I call ‘party-perfect’ landscaping,” he explains. “It’s not just maintenance. We dust off outdoor furniture, clean grills, pick vegetables from clients’ gardens, and even rotate potted trees to ensure balanced sunlight.” One such client has a beloved Japanese maple that gets rotated 15 degrees weekly to maintain its symmetry—a level of care rarely seen in the industry.

Another example? A desert willow being slowly trained over three years to reposition itself six inches, without compromising the tree’s structure or health. “We’re not just cutting grass, we’re curating living environments,” he says.

People Over Profit

While many companies chase volume, Trejo takes a more discerning approach. “We’re selective with the clients we bring on. If we dilute the quality just to grow quickly, we’re no longer Tierra Viva,” he explains.

This mindset extends to his team. When the former company closed, every crew member who wanted to stay came with him. That trust didn’t happen overnight. It was built through mutual respect and leadership that saw each employee as a human being, not just labor.

“There’s no Tierra Viva without them,” he says. “They’re the soul of this company.”

Relationship First, Transaction Second

Trejo isn’t trying to win clients with flashy ads or SEO tricks. In fact, Tierra Viva’s website is intentionally sparse. “It’s there to confirm who we are, not to chase leads. If people know us, they’ll find us,” he says.

Instead, he builds trust through face-to-face walkthroughs—often two hours long—where he educates clients about horticulture, the science behind landscape practices, and what realistic results look like. “It’s not just about what they want now, it’s about the health and vision of the property over the next two years.”

That relationship-focused approach also means he’s unafraid to say “no” when something doesn’t align with his values or capabilities. “We’re not the lowest bid. We’re not for everyone. But we’ll always be transparent, and we’ll never overpromise and underdeliver.”

Landscape as a Living Organism

For Trejo, landscaping is more than a business. It’s a living organism, constantly evolving with seasons, client needs, and environmental conditions. It’s also an equal relationship between professional and client—not a transactional service.

“We’re not inferior just because we work outside,” he says. “This is a STEM career. It involves science, strategy, and service. And we need to educate the next generation that this industry is full of opportunity and honor.”

As Tierra Viva grows, so does its impact. Trejo gives back to local schools, supports education initiatives, and remains committed to helping others see landscaping for what it truly is: a career worth pursuing, a service worth valuing, and an art form worth doing right.

Photo: Tierra Viva Landscapes

Learn More: Federiko "Fred" Trejo, Founder
Tierra Viva Landscapes
Dallas, TX
fred@tierravivallc.com

www.tierravivallc.com

Read the article in the digital issue here.