Arbor Grove Tree Care, LLC
A Little About My Background
I was born and raised around tree work. My father has owned Muskegon's Tom's Tree Service since 1981, and I was on job sites by the time I was 12. Over fifteen years working alongside him, I learned every part of this trade — groundsman, bucket operator, crane operator, machine operator, and climber.
Three years ago, I decided I wanted to provide my clients with more than skilled labor. I wanted the technical knowledge to back it up — to be able to walk a property and explain what I was actually seeing in a tree. I started studying for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, and in December 2023, I passed.
Since then, I've added two more credentials that take my work further: ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), and Michigan Oak Wilt Qualified, which is administered by the ISA Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition specifically for managing oak wilt under Michigan conditions.
What I Do Differently
A big part of what I do isn't just cutting or removing trees — it's helping people understand them. Most homeowners don't realize how much trees do for their property and the environment, or what's actually happening when something starts to decline. I take the time to explain what I'm seeing, whether it's risk, disease, or long-term health.
When I'm on a job, I treat your property better than my own. That means thorough cleanup, clear communication, and making sure the job is done right the first time — no shortcuts.
My Credentials
- •ISA Certified Arborist — MI-4771A
- •ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ)
- •Michigan Oak Wilt Qualified Specialist — MI-151
- •Fully insured — general liability + workers' compensation
"These letters take real work to earn — and ongoing work to keep. Becoming an ISA Certified Arborist requires three years of documented field experience and passing a comprehensive exam covering tree biology, diagnosis, pruning, safety, and risk. The certification is maintained through 30 hours of continuing education every three years — letting it lapse means starting over.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) is only available to arborists who already hold ISA certification. It requires a three-day course followed by a written exam and a live, outdoor field assessment on a real tree. The qualification expires every seven years, with full retesting required to renew. Michigan Oak Wilt Qualified — issued through the ISA Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition — adds another classroom course and exam specifically on identifying oak wilt, root-graft trenching, fungicide injection, and infected-wood disposal under Michigan law. Every job I step onto is backed by all three."
Outside of Work
When I'm not on a job, I'm with my family — my girlfriend and our three boys — usually somewhere outdoors or traveling when we can.
Direct Line
If you're dealing with a tree you're unsure about, call or text me at (231) 340-2777. I'll come take a look and walk you through it. We're fully insured, all of our workers are covered under workers' compensation, and I look forward to serving the people of greater Muskegon and West Michigan.