Two Tree Guys - Audio Podcast

Lisa McCoy, VP of Sales and Operations at J.J. Mauget, breaks down the evolution of tree injection, from Mauget’s pioneering micro-injection system in 1958 to the creation of the MXT (Mauget Xylem Translocator). Designed over three years with help from Cal Poly Pomona, the battery-powered MXT delivers precise treatments directly into a tree’s xylem, reducing waste, plastic use, and environmental impact while saving arborists serious time. 📧 [email protected] 📸 @caringfortrees

Chris Phelps shares his journey from growing up in historic Williamsburg, VA to becoming Owner and CEO of Paramount Tree Services. From early loss and leaving high school to starting a lawn care business, facing major setbacks, and finding mentorship in tree work, this episode is about resilience, hard lessons, and building a business by figuring it out one step at a time.

Jordan Tielmann shares how her background in running nearly 90 trade shows led her into the tree industry and, alongside her husband Hans, to taking over Arborfest. More than a trade show, Arborfest is an experience built by tree people, for tree people, focused on education, networking, and culture. With 65+ sessions over three days, hands-on demos, competitions, and an intimate layout designed for small and mid-sized companies, Arborfest aims to spark learning, safety, and long-term growth in the arborist industry.

Kansas native Ulrich Baumgardner found the tree industry through cutting firewood, hunting from trees, and falling down a YouTube rabbit hole. Inspired by arborist creators, he joined Wellnitz Tree Company after seeing them bid a job at his home, starting as a groundie and quickly embracing climbing. With a National Guard background, Ulrich continues to sharpen his skills through coworkers, trade shows, and YouTube, often climbing just for fun.

Kevin Hamm’s passion for trees began in high school and grew into a lifelong career. After years of tree work on a college campus and at a federal prison, often while working two jobs, he launched Hamm’s Arbor Care following a major 1998 storm. Kevin weathered the 2008 downturn without filing for bankruptcy and rebuilt over the next decade. Today, his company runs on a strong employee-first culture, family involvement, and education, while his Game of Trees YouTube channel and work in Guatemala highlight his commitment to the arborist community.

Zach Czirr of HAIX Boots shares his journey from beer marketing to building premium footwear brands for first responders in the U.S. Born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Zach has always been a marketing guy with a passion for elevating strong brands. After a life-altering cliff-jumping accident at 29 that shattered his heel, quality footwear became deeply personal. Now based at HAIX’s North American headquarters, Zach helps grow a European-established brand in the U.S., highlighting why HAIX boots, built with bull leather and top-tier craftsmanship are made to last.

Jalen Rocha joins Innovation Talk to discuss Husqvarna’s latest battery-powered top handle chainsaws and the shift toward electrification in the arborist industry. Covering the Central Valley, Bay Area, and Northern Nevada, Jalen shares his journey from ArborWorks to becoming a passionate advocate for innovation in tree care. The episode highlights the new T542i XP, featuring a true clutch (a key industry differentiator), quieter operation than gas, easier startup, a digital oil sensor, optional heated handle, and smart battery technology with ActiveCool. Built to stay in the cut without overloading the motor, the saw, and the precision-focused 540 model, is ready for California’s battery-powered future.

In this episode, we dive deep into OSHA, safety culture, and what it really takes to build a safer tree care company. Chris Phelps, owner of Paramount Tree Services in Williamsburg, Virginia, and Bob Lehman of Academy Trained break down Paramount’s “Year of Safety,” the role of TCIA, and why cutting corners isn’t worth the risk. From OSHA 10 & 30 training to job site analyses, tailgate meetings, aerial rescue, and fire mitigation planning, this conversation covers how certifications, JHAs, and documented safety programs create accountability and protect both crews and companies. A must-listen for anyone serious about arboriculture, compliance, and long-term success in the outdoor industry.

Jason Numemacher talks about his path from a hardworking upbringing with a single mom and three brothers to leadership in the tree care industry. After burning out in debt collection, he moved into tree service management, where his skills in systems, communication, and sales helped grow companies and advance him to general manager. Now a partner at Elite Tree Service, Jason focuses on coaching, sales, and helping tree businesses grow through better leadership and strategy.

Kyle Ellis and Boel Hammarstrand share their arborist journeys and dive into Solidur’s evolution from a post-WWII French footwear company to a modern, eco-responsible PPE manufacturer. The episode highlights Solidur’s newest tree climbing boot, designed specifically for SRT, featuring an innovative rope-through-the-sole system, EU-made materials, waterproof construction, and customizable fit—built and tested by working arborists for real-world climbing.

Elizabeth Rodewald, Manager of Corporate Engagement at TCIA, shares her journey from growing up in a Southern California forestry family to discovering her purpose in the tree care industry. After studying horticulture in New York and a brief stint in the fashion world, a bad experience pushed her to seek work that truly matters. Now at TCIA, she’s driven to make the industry safer, elevate education, and support the people who keep tree care moving forward.

We sit down with the founder of TSO – Tree Service Owners, a free community of more than 11,000 companies growing 5% every month. Built by a 26-year industry veteran, TSO is a vendor-free, owner-only space designed for real questions, constructive conversations, and shared learning. With hundreds of posts and thousands of comments each month, plus webinars on growth, hiring, and operations, TSO has become a trusted place for tree service companies to help each other succeed, competitive, but united in wanting everyone to get better.

Shayna Shadowen grew up a third-generation electrical worker, and Jason married into the trade. After years in new construction and eventually running a service company, they discovered a need for better office support in small rural trades businesses. That led to My Office Help—an outsourced back-office and CSR solution built around powerful systems, including multiple CRMs, custom mapping, scheduling, QuickBooks Online bookkeeping, and even AI-powered phone answering. They now help small to mid-sized companies (up to ~10 trucks) handle calls, permits, dispatching, and more so business owners can “do what you do best and let us do the rest.

Caelan Newton grew up in a small town in Maine, discovering early on that sports weren’t his passion but hard work was. From summer deckhand jobs at 15 to concrete work, manual labor, and running around his dad’s crane shop, he developed a deep love for gear, machines, and the trades. After joining Lucas Tree, earning his CDL and Maine Utility Arborist License, and taking on major crane projects including one of the largest maples in the state, Caelan dove into residential tree work and expanded his skills across equipment and climbing. With just under five years in tree care, side work picking up, and a clear passion for the craft, Caelan is all-in on the industry and excited for a future filled with cranes, climbing, and continual growth.

Born and raised in California, Hank Ortiz built his career in sales and marketing before spending five years in Europe, where he met his wife and deepened his love for food, farming, and the outdoors. Combining his background in tech with his passion for agriculture, Hank set out to create software that made a difference. After realizing the challenges of selling to farmers, he pivoted to the landscape and eventually the tree care industry, where mapping, sensors, and data could truly shine. Out of that journey came Arbornote, a powerful yet simple tool for managing trees, proposals, sales, and workflows. Hank shares how he built software around three core principles: helping businesses stick with their customers, keeping it super easy to use, and offering unmatched support.

Join the Two Tree Guys for an Innovation Talk with Andy Jones, co-founder of Rooted Arbor Care, as he shares his real-world journey leading a tree care company into the battery-powered era. Andy dives deep into testing top brands like Milwaukee, Husqvarna, Stihl, EGO, Makita, and Greenworks, revealing what worked, what didn’t, and how his team optimized power management, charging setups, and crew efficiency in daily operations. Learn how Rooted Arbor Care achieved its best financial year yet while cutting fuel costs, improving sustainability, and proving that battery power can outperform gas in professional arbor work. From mobile charging systems to smart tool selection and scaling strategies, Andy’s insights redefine what’s possible for the modern tree care industry. ⚡🌳

Phil shares how Skylotec, a family-owned German manufacturer and Europe’s largest carabiner maker, has grown from its mountaineering roots into industrial fall protection and tree climbing innovations. With brands like Climbing Technology, Skylotec develops ascenders, fall protection systems, and rope-friendly gear designed to make climbing more efficient and safer. Their Colorado presence continues bridging sport and industry, backed by a strong R&D team working with climbers in the field to solve real-world challenges.

Rob Totaro, second-generation arborist and CEO of Tree Craft, shares his powerful story of resilience—from early struggles and addiction to recovery and rebuilding his life through tree work. With roots in a family business and a passion for safety, Rob is dedicated to professionalizing the industry while giving others a chance to start fresh.

Ian Lewis shares his journey from an unexpected start in Durango with the Conservation Corps to becoming a skilled climbing arborist. With early lessons on white pines in New Hampshire, mentorship, and a drive to self-educate, Ian built a career in technical removals and rigging—while passing knowledge on to other crews.

Jamie Mairs of Green-Tec shares how Terex entered the growing tree and vegetation management industry, focusing on mechanized arboriculture, safety, and efficiency. From tree handlers to spider lifts, Jamie highlights product innovation, dealer support, and the future of equipment shaping modern tree care.

Jason Pinegar shares his 30-year journey with West Coast Arborists, rising from a young snowboard bum in Big Bear to Vice President of one of the largest tree companies in the West. He reflects on his early break into the industry, lessons in safety and customer care, and a career dedicated to serving communities that value their trees.

An inside look at Tree Circus, the interactive traveling show inspiring kids and communities to connect with trees. From teaching everyday people how to climb, to planting the vision of big trees in parks across the world, the crew shares their journey as modern-day Johnny Appleseeds—bringing education, fun, and advocacy for trees to towns everywhere.

From welding to web development to equipment sales, Kyle Biancardi’s journey is anything but traditional. After breaking into crane safety training, he found his place in the tree industry and now sells BIK boom trucks and grapple saw trucks in the Northeast. Kyle shares how he’s helping revolutionize the industry by bringing new ideas and real value to his customers.

Wister Dorta shares insights from his journey through NYC Parks, California forestry permitting, and plant health care, bringing a unique perspective on balancing tree preservation with construction. He discusses helping arborists, architects, and contractors navigate permits, streamline paperwork, and follow best practices so projects move smoothly while supporting healthy soil and long-lived trees.

Jake Tietler shares Milwaukee’s journey into the tree care industry with their groundbreaking battery-powered saws. From four years of ground-up development to unmatched torque, power, and durability, Milwaukee is aiming to replace gas saws entirely—bringing safer, more productive tools to arborists worldwide.

From the mountains of northern Spain to the snowy forests of Germany, Vanesa Tilan’s journey is one of grit, passion, and breaking barriers. A lifelong athlete and adventurer, she traded nursing school for forestry, mastered the art of tree climbing without knowing a word of English or German, and stepped into international competitions to learn, connect, and inspire. In this episode, Vanesa shares how she’s encouraging women in Spain, educating others about the importance of trees, and living her dream among the treetops.

From climbing trees as a kid in Colorado to becoming a contract climber and business owner, Kyel Ciufi shares his wild and inspiring journey. After some rough patches and four years in the Army, he found his passion in urban forestry. Kyel talks about learning the ropes with Bartlett Tree in California, becoming a foreman with Davey in Colorado, and eventually launching his own company—Elevation Tree Service. Now a father of two, Kyel focuses on big prunings, safety education, and working for himself on his own terms.

Started in 1997, this Atlanta-based ISA-certified arborist and licensed insurance adjuster shares how he combined his experience to launch 707 Arborist and later, Clarity Market—a platform built to streamline tree service pricing, contracts, and disaster response. From crane deployments to pushing back on insurance adjusters, he’s redefining how homeowners and pros connect after a storm. Think eBay meets Uber, but for emergency tree work.

Greg Parsley grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he launched into the green industry by fixing up discarded lawn mowers. After a brief brush with college, he followed his passion into remodeling, landscaping, and eventually tree care. In 2019, inspired by a friend in horticulture, Greg shifted his focus to arboriculture—earning his ISA certification and Maryland Tree Expert License. Now on his second tree service venture, he shares how he built his business from the ground up, one job and one license at a time.

Tom and Sonia dig into the power of handheld trenching with the GeoRipper and the impact of smart root barrier installation. From minimizing trip hazards in public spaces to preventing costly foundation and sidewalk damage, they share real-world insight on root control, equipment innovation, and what actually works in the field.

From dirt tracks to dive bars, Jennifer and Laura share their unlikely paths to Schaeffer’s, North America’s oldest lubrication company. Hear how a 19th-century candle and soap maker evolved into a modern lubrication powerhouse—and why they’re finally embracing marketing after nearly two centuries of boots-on-the-ground success.

Sam Finco, trainer with The Academy, shares his journey from art school to arborist. Growing up between Wisconsin and Iowa, Sam found early inspiration in the outdoors. After dabbling in art and rock climbing, a photo of a crane removal changed everything—he dropped out of forestry school and dove headfirst into tree work. From learning to drive a 26K lb bucket truck in the desert to building rope systems to preserve massive oaks, Sam’s story is one of grit, creativity, and growth. Now a contract climber and mentor, he’s on a mission to be the guide he never had.

Joe Wightman’s journey from a rough start in Loveland, CO, to becoming an Academy Trainer in arboriculture is one of resilience and purpose. After early run-ins with the law and setbacks in construction, a friend’s suggestion led him to tree work—where he found not just a job, but a calling. Now 11 years in, Joe is passionate about safety, hands-on training, and helping others grow in an industry that’s as mentally demanding as it is physical.

Emily Inman from Charlotte’s Landscape Management Division and arborist John Wayne share their paths into tree care and the growing need to train passionate newcomers. With an aging urban forest and a wave of arborists set to retire, they talk about the importance of early education, hands-on training, and changing perceptions of arboriculture as a skilled, essential trade. From climbing trees to community outreach, it’s all about planting seeds for the future.

Omar Martinez shares his journey from childhood laborer to project manager at his family’s business, Pro Select Construction Services. Raised in San Diego, Omar reflects on early jobs, lessons in leadership, the challenges of managing older crew members, and the grind of cold sales. Now helping expand the company’s construction division with EV charging stations, Omar also opens up about balancing work with self-love.

Jim Deplo joins us to talk about VP Racing Fuels' high-performance blends made for small engines like chainsaws. Learn how their ethanol-free, synthetic fuels improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and keep your equipment running cleaner and longer.

Born in Fresno, CA, Jalen grew up in a blended family and learned early lessons about setting boundaries and offering support without enabling. After leaving home at 18, a series of tough breaks — including flipping a truck and a night in jail — taught him resilience. He eventually found his footing at ArborWorks, where he grew from inventory management to climbing and training others in safety and utility work. He helped the company scale smartly, standardizing gear and improving operations, until changes after a private equity takeover led him to a new chapter at Husqvarna. This is a story of growth, grit, and finding your lane.

From corporate America to concert stages to climbing trees, Ryan Swederski’s path has been anything but typical. After helping his dad run an indoor putt-putt business in Arizona—and picking up DJing and concert booking along the way—Ryan stumbled into the world of arboriculture. One inspiring day watching climbers changed everything. Over the next 15 years, he climbed, led crews, mastered utility line clearance, and eventually launched his own company: Swederski’s Independent Consulting, LLC. Now, Ryan is on a mission to train, consult, and raise the bar for safety in tree care—especially for smaller, growing companies.

From growing up in California’s Imperial Valley with farming parents to running eight marathons, Sonia Coyle’s journey is one of grit, reinvention, and strength. After dropping out of San Diego State, she entered the aerospace world, raised three boys, navigated divorce, and chased joy through dancing and new adventures. Her path took her all the way to England, where she became an accountant, before returning to the U.S. and stepping into the world of tree care with her partner, Tom. Recorded live at the ISA Western Chapter Conference, this episode is about resilience, new chapters, and finding your place—no matter how unexpected.

At just 12 years old, Sophie Arnold started her journey into the treetops—and she hasn’t looked down since. Trained through an academy and known for her creative “Poor Man’s Pantin” rope ascender setup, Sophie is already limb walking big trees and refining her skills with serious intention. With her sights set on competition climbing once she turns 16, she’s all about learning, pushing limits, and sharing knowledge with other kids. Her motto? “Always go slow. Pay attention. Trust your gut.” This episode is a glimpse into the future of arboriculture—and the bright, fearless young climber leading the way.

Born in Newport Beach, CA, Sam Cubeiro was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 4—but that didn’t stop him from embracing the outdoors. From diabetes camps to a fly-fishing trip at a Colorado dude ranch, Sam discovered a lifelong passion for nature, adventure, and purpose-driven work. His journey took him from turkey hunting in Kentucky to interning at an outdoor investment firm, working at Facebook, and eventually joining Alpine Investors. Today, he’s building Canopy—a growing network of tree care companies focused on safety, training, and helping founders scale sustainably. This episode dives into how personal passion can lead to professional impact.

AI is here, and for the first time, it’s accessible to everyone—not just programmers. In this episode, Suzanne Guzman, a certified prompt engineer and author, breaks down how AI works, why communication is key, and how anyone can start using it today. We’ll explore large language models, automation, and how AI can enhance businesses—including unexpected industries like tree care. Learn how to prompt effectively, iterate, and use AI as a tool to refine your brand and workflow. AI is only getting smarter—so don’t wait to get started!

Born and raised in Bucks County, PA, our guest started rock climbing before he could even walk. By age 10, he was rappelling, and by 18, he was climbing competitively. His passion for heights led him into tree climbing, where he learned the right way to climb safely with Lindsey Tree Removal. After years in the industry, he took a break before returning to climbing with a renewed mindset. Along the way, he battled drug and alcohol addiction, now celebrating 9 years of sobriety—not anti-good time, just anti-letting it run your life. Now a contract climber and instructor working all over the Northeast, he's dedicated to safety and training. Married for 8 years with a new baby, he's focused on rebuilding relationships, mentoring climbers, and sharing his journey of resilience. Tune in for stories of climbing, discipline, and the highs and lows of the journey.

With 20 years in journalism, Milly Stiles has built a career diving deep into industries that fascinate her. From newspapers to parenting magazines to marketing, her path led her to Arbor Times, where she now serves as editor. Covering everything from equipment and plant healthcare to business insights, Milly values the arborist community’s respect for veterans and safety. Got a story idea or expertise to share? Reach out at [email protected]—because every voice in the industry matters.

From semi-pro musician to entrepreneur, Dr. Jean The Results Queen has spent 24 years helping businesses grow and thrive. She dives into the realities of business partnerships, leadership, and the four key functions of every company—marketing, sales, operations, and finance. Success isn’t solo; top performers build strong teams. Whether you need to change, end, or embrace a situation, Dr. Jean helps you think Z to A—start with the goal and map the path to get there.

After 17 years in the pawn industry, Rhonda Bell found a new passion in arborist gear. Now at Tree Tools USA, a female-owned arborist superstore, she helps pros test saddles, take manufacturer-led classes, and gear up for events like Pizza & PPE. Join Rhonda as she shares industry insights, gear tips, and her journey from the counter to the canopy.

Introducing Hands Up—the game-changing retention connector from Hexarope. This knotless choking device for rigging and speed lining offers unmatched simplicity and efficiency, with three sizes rated for 4, 6, and 8 tons. Designed by expert splicers in France, Hexarope is redefining rigging safety with durable, no-moving-parts innovation. While Hands Up isn’t in the U.S. yet, it’s set to make waves in 2025. Tune in to learn how this revolutionary tool is increasing efficiency, safety, and ease of use for arborists and riggers worldwide!

From dirtbag college groundsman to pro golfer in Hawaii, world-traveling adventure guide, and now a key account rep for Arborwear—Kevin Tierney’s journey is anything but ordinary. After 12 years leading tours across 35 countries with Backroads, he found his way to Arborwear, where rugged meets functional in workwear. Tune in as we dive into Kevin’s wild path, the tight-knit tree care industry, and the gear that keeps it all going.

From a curious kid climbing trees in Sonoma to a groundbreaking inventor in the arborist world, this is the story of innovation born from passion and persistence. After a near-death experience as a child and years of learning about trees, pruning, and woodworking, our guest's journey led to creating the revolutionary Akimbo climbing device. Hear how he turned backyard tinkering into a game-changing product, launched with GoFundMe and grit, partnered with Rock Exotica, and continually pushed the boundaries with new ideas like the Downrigger. This episode is all about resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of innovation.

Tom Smith, CEO of Century Products, shares his journey from Carolina to California, transitioning from metalwork to horticulture. In 1979, he launched a tree care company, working on major projects like Disneyland. Later, he founded Century Products, revolutionizing root and water barriers with innovative, durable designs. Despite legal battles, Tom's resilience led to industry-changing success. Tune in for his inspiring story!