Sponsored Content

Tree Guardians has emerged as a trusted partner for tree care company owners seeking to participate in the growth of the tree care industry while also planning for their succession. Founded in 2023, Tree Guardians is building a diverse platform, partnering with leading tree care businesses across the U.S. Having partnered with nine tree care companies in the last 15 months, the platform supports business growth while preserving the unique cultures of its partner companies. As a valued TCIA member, Tree Guardians is dedicated to positively impacting the industry, local tree care businesses and their valued employees.

Gamma Tree Experts joined the Tree Guardians platform in November 2024.

Adopting a distinctive approach to partnerships, Tree Guardians prioritizes the preservation and growth of each partner’s brand while fostering employee retention and career opportunities. The strategy not only builds on the existing momentum and success of each business, but also supports owners with access to the additional resources, capital and expertise of a wider community. Guided by a firm belief in servant leadership and collaboration, the platform is helping to move the tree care industry forward.

A commitment to the industry’s growth and excellence
Since its inception, Tree Guardians has remained dedicated to supporting TCIA. Through partnership with leading tree care companies, Tree Guardians expands its reach while preserving the integrity of the TCIA mission.

“Our approach stands apart from typical acquisitions,” says Kevin Caldwell, vice president of sales for Tree Guardians, founder of Caldwell Tree Care and a former TCIA board chair. “While most acquisition models consolidate operations and often strip away a company’s unique identity, Tree Guardians takes a different route. We focus on preserving each partner company’s distinct brand and support through providing the resources they need to continue to grow and succeed.

“We encourage every new partner to join TCIA if they haven’t already, and we proudly highlight those memberships in our marketing,” continues Caldwell. “As an example, Herrington Tree Care in Georgia and Good Guys Tree Service in Texas became new TCIA members once they joined Tree Guardians. Additionally, our platform benefits from the experience of three former TCIA board chairs, a past TCIA president and one incoming chairman, all of whom are deeply committed to TCIA’s mission of advancing the tree care industry.”

“One of the biggest reasons I selected Tree Guardians over other opportunities was the protection of the brand I’ve worked so hard to build,” says Noel Boyer, president of All About Trees and incoming TCIA board chair. “People join Tree Guardians for different reasons. Some seek relief from carrying all the weight, others want to pave a path for retirement and financial security or simply have the peace of mind that comes with reducing the risks. For me, it was about securing the legacy of my business and selecting a partner with a strong commitment to the advancement of the industry as part of its mission.”

All About Trees joined in June 2024. All photos courtesy of Tree Guardians.

A fresh approach to partnerships
At the core of Tree Guardians’ acquisition strategy is a partner-first philosophy. Tree Guardians encourages business owners to continue leading their companies while benefiting from the support of a larger network. Founders are encouraged to remain active in their current roles, ensuring continuity, fostering employee retention and preserving the company’s culture.

“Reinvestment in the platform was a key reason I became a partner of Tree Guardians,” explains Tim Gamma, co-president of Gamma Tree Experts and former TCIA chair. “What really sets this model apart is that we’re giving owners the tools and resources they need to grow their businesses, enabling them to stay involved, supporting organic growth and providing reinvestment opportunities tied to the platform’s growth. It’s a win-win situation that solves real problems for business owners.”

Importantly, this model creates a stable work environment, offering employees a sense of security and opportunities for growth, according to Charlie Haines, CEO of Tree Guardians.

“We believe that professional development is key to the success of any tree care business,” says Haines. “We prioritize certifications, continuing education and skills development. We want to make sure all our employees are experts in their field. That’s how we differentiate ourselves in terms of safety, technical expertise and customer satisfaction.”

Caldwell Tree Care was a founding platform partner of Tree Guardians.

The power of servant leadership
Tree Guardians operates on a servant-leadership model, prioritizing the support and empowerment of employees and partners. With a leadership team drawn from diverse backgrounds across various service industries, the company brings fresh ideas and valuable expertise to the table.

“The servant-leadership model is central to who we are,” says Haines. “We don’t operate like a traditional corporate hierarchy. Instead, we focus on supporting our partners and employees in every way we can, whether it’s providing essential resources, helping them navigate challenges or cross-pollinating best-practice and resource sharing.”

Tree Guardians fosters an environment of open communication and idea generation, leading to continuous innovation and improvement across the organization.

“One of the key factors that attracted me to Tree Guardians is the network of experienced professionals,” Boyer shares. “Now I have access to experts in HR, marketing, fleet management, IT and more, helping me make key decisions. For the first time, I’m not doing everything alone – I have a team supporting me, and that’s been a game-changer.”

“We’re all in this together,” Gamma adds. “Our goal is to build a collaborative environment where each partner can share ideas, learn from one another and help each other succeed. That’s the power of the Tree Guardians platform – it’s about working together to achieve more than we could on our own.”

A future of continued growth
Tree Guardians is experiencing sustainable growth, reflecting the strength of its platform and the positive impact on both business owners and the industry.

“We’re not just focused on expanding our own footprint,” says Haines. “Our goal is to help the entire industry grow, innovate and thrive. I’m excited to be able to utilize what I’ve learned over the course of my career in residential services to help drive growth by implementing efforts like digital marketing and dedicated talent recruitment to our partner companies. We’re proud to be a part of creating more opportunities for our Tree Guardians’ partners, employees and customers.”

As Tree Guardians continues to expand its partnerships, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to driving growth, innovation and excellence in the tree care industry. By providing vital resources, cultivating strong partnerships and empowering every company and employee within the platform, Tree Guardians is not only shaping the future of its partners, but also is paving a path to a new standard in partnership options for the industry.

Sarah Bessette is chief marketing officer for Tree Guardians, a second-year TCIA corporate member company based in New York, New York.

TCI Magazine’s Corporate Member Spotlight is a feature available only to TCIA corporate members. This article is sponsored by Tree Guardians. For more information, contact advertising@tcia.org.