The tornado outbreak that ripped through the greater St. Louis area in early May 2025 left an indelible mark on the region’s urban forest and the people who call it home. What happened in those brief, violent minutes reshaped entire neighborhoods, devastated tree-lined streets and toppled century-old giants in Forest Park. As an arborist and a local, I’ve never seen anything like it.

Tornadoes ripped through greater St. Louis, Missouri, in early May 2025. And companies from across the region and from out of state showed up not to compete, but to partner in the cleanup. All photos courtesy of Andy Jones.

At Rooted Arbor Care, we were among the early responders to the chaos. Driving through the Central West End just hours after the storm had passed felt surreal: old-growth oaks crumpled like scaffolding, entire canopies torn from the sky and power lines threaded through splintered trunks.

Trees that many of us had cared for over the years – pruned, preserved, watched grow – were gone in a matter of minutes. Forest Park, a living showcase of St. Louis’ ecological and civic pride, had whole corridors leveled.

While our region was spared the human toll seen in Kentucky the following day, the devastation was profound. In the days that followed, we bore witness not just to the destruction, but also to the best and worst of what can emerge in a crisis.

The best and the worst
Let’s get the worst out of the way. We witnessed some shameful examples of price gouging and opportunism. Crews with questionable credentials charged desperate homeowners outrageous fees for subpar or unsafe work. It was frustrating, disheartening and ultimately dangerous.

But far more powerful was what came from the other end of the spectrum – collaboration, camaraderie and compassion. Within days, companies from across the region – and even from out of state – showed up not to compete, but to partner.

Rooted Arbor Care worked hand in hand with fellow professionals from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and beyond. What began as a logistical response quickly evolved into something more profound – a shared mission, executed by a patchwork of arborists who barely knew each other but worked like lifelong teammates.

Arborists without borders
This effort on our part would not have been possible without the dedication and resilience of the Rooted Arbor Care team. I want to recognize our crew: Thomas Paine, Mat Bronakowski, Steven Letzelter, Jason Perez and Max Jarvis. Paine, Bronakowski and Letzelter all are ISA Certified Arborists, and each one of these individuals brought professionalism, strength and compassion to every work site. They were instrumental in helping lead technical rigging efforts, supporting our collaborative work with partner companies and showing what modern arboriculture looks like when executed with heart and expertise.

Trees that many of us had cared for over years were gone in a matter of minutes.

A crucial partner in our storm response was Cory Keller from Kinder Contracting in Wentzville, Missouri, our trusted crane operator. Cory worked well beyond standard hours – not just to support homeowners, but also to ensure my own safety during some of the most complex and hazardous removals we’ve ever faced. This week wasn’t the first time I’ve committed my life to Corey’s steady hands, but it certainly cemented the confidence with which I will continue to place my life in his care for future projects.

Among those we had the privilege of working alongside were Zach Miller and Jesse Stafford from Central Tree Pros (CTP) out of Des Moines, Iowa. Their team brought serious horsepower to the effort, including the K-boom crane that enabled us to tackle removals others simply walked away from. Their experience, professionalism and attitude made an immediate impact, and our crews synced quickly. They weren’t just capable – they were committed.

We also built a lasting bond with Dwayne Graeler of All American Tree Service out of Hermann, Mo., his sons, Dominick and Alex, and their hardworking team members, including people like Jesse Dover and Brock Schmidt. These guys brought grit and drive that reminded me of why I fell in love with this work in the first place. Their old-school know-how and relentless work ethic were inspiring.

What made it even more meaningful was how the exchange went both ways. While they came in with strength and stamina, our team shared some of the more modern practices we rely on – technical climbing systems, modern personal protective equipment (PPE) and streamlined rigging techniques. In turn, we picked up lessons on simplicity, determination and raw muscle. It was a true skill exchange, and by the end of the week we were so dialed in with each other that crews blurred – you couldn’t tell who was working on whose team. We simply became one.

While our region was spared the human toll seen in Kentucky the following day, the devastation was profound

We also want to acknowledge the camaraderie and knowledge sharing we experienced with several other local tree companies. These local teams not only brought skills, but also a spirit of unity and pride in their city that elevated the entire effort. The mutual respect and open exchange of ideas we shared will have a lasting impact on how we work together going forward.

Long days, lasting lessons
We worked 16-hour days that week. No one complained. No one quit early. We cut, cleaned and cleared with a rhythm forged in necessity and mutual respect. Every log dropped and every limb removed carried with it the weight of someone’s history – a backyard treehouse, a favorite climbing limb, a shaded patio now exposed to the sky.

And yet, amid that loss, we were repeatedly humbled by the hospitality and grace of the people we came to help. Especially in neighborhoods like the Central West End, residents welcomed our teams like family. They brought us meals and let us rest in the shade of what trees still stood. In a moment when they could have spiraled into despair, they chose instead to uplift us.

What this storm taught us
The tornado took down trees that had stood for generations. It challenged our equipment, our endurance and our capacity to respond. But it also reminded us that arboriculture isn’t just about trees. It’s about people, connection and community.

Yes, we saw some bad actors trying to take advantage of others. But we saw many more arborists show up for the right reasons. We saw skills shared, trust earned and friendships formed.

I walked away from that week with sore muscles and a heavy heart – but also with renewed pride in our profession. There is something unique about this trade; when done right, tree work is about more than hazard mitigation or storm cleanup. It’s about building trust, restoring safety and bringing peace of mind to people when they need it most.

Some of those who bonded over recent storm work included, from left, Cory Keller, Kinder Contracting; Steven Letzelter, Mat Bronakowski and Andy Jones, Rooted Arbor Care; and Zach Miller, Jack Wadden and Jesse Stafford, Central Tree Pros.

We at Rooted Arbor Care are proud to have stood alongside teams like Central Tree Pros, All American Tree Service and Kinder Contracting. We look forward to deepening those bonds in calmer times. And to the homeowners ,who showed us kindness during their hardest days – thank you. You reminded us why this work matters.

Andy Jones, CTSP, is an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), a production climber and co-founder of Rooted Arbor Care, a TCIA member company based in St. Louis, Mo. He is also a member of TCI Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Committee.