In the early spring of 1936 our founder R.C. Aldridge, Sr. purchased four acres of land in the irrigated Medina Valley in Southwest Bexar County some fifteen miles from San Antonio, Texas.  Those initial acres cost $15.00 per acre for a total of $60.00.  Mr. Aldridge borrowed $10.00 to make the down payment. 

There was considerable apprehension as to whether we would ever to be able to retire such a debt.  After planting some assorted ornamentals in the spring of 1936 an inspection certificate was secured to start selling in the fall of 1936.  The company grew and prospered over the first 50 years. 

By 1987 economic clouds were on the horizon.  The Texas economy had taken a big hit and by 1990, the banks were on hard times and were not extending loans.  The company had to file chapter eleven  for protection and on July 3,1991 the business emerged out of bankruptcy with a new owner and president Thomas C. Trautner.  Over the last 12 years under his management the company has moved more into containers growing shade and ornamental trees. 

We now have more than 60 acres in container production.  Our best selling shade and ornamentals out of the more than 50 varieties that we grow are:  Southern Live Oak, Fan-Tex Ash, Bur Oak, Texas Red Oak, Chinese Pistache, Cedar Elm, Ornamental pears, Crape Myrtles, Vitex, Mexican White Oak, Chinquapin Oak, Bald Cypress, and Italian Cypress.

Wholesale to the Industry Only