What Drives Me

I’ve always felt at home, an indescribable feeling of comfort and belonging, when I’m around trees, especially when I’m in the woods. When I was a child I was always attracted to the forest. I wasn’t sure why, but I never questioned it until about 12 years ago when I started studying arboriculture and I learned that trees are sentient beings, similar to us. The more I learned, the more similarities I saw between trees and human beings:

• They have vascular flow which transports sap and nutrients via the expansion and contraction of small muscles in their rays (arteries).

• They have the ability to transpire (perspire) to cool themselves off via small openings in their leaves and bark called stomata (pores).

• Trees and woody plants have the ability to compartmentalize cuts/wounds and to heal around them, causing wound wood (scar tissue).

• Trees absorb energy from the sun and convert that energy into photosynthate (sugar), that they use for growth and regulating their immune system.

• Trees require water and nutrients from the soil – many of which are the same nutrients that human beings require.

• If you believe in Darwin’s theory of evolution, then trees are a necessary part of our survival and our genealogy – they have been a source of shade, comfort, food, medicine and beauty since our monkey days. We’ve formed a strong symbiotic relationship with them.

I have been a practicing/climbing arborist for the past 12 years in conjunction with tree health care and consulting. In the recent years, I have become more passionate about helping trees thrive in urban environments. With all of the new construction around Southeast Iowa, I have seen countless trees struggling due to improper planting, compacted clay soils, and uninformed care.

In busy modern life it is so easy to forget about trees or to take them for granted. Sometimes you don’t realize how much you love and value a tree until it becomes unhealthy.

I’ve made it my mission, my livelihood and my business to do everything I can to help your trees health, longevity and well being using science-based protocols. I hope you will browse my website a bit more to learn about our services and what we can do to help your trees and property.