RICH'S STORY

With just a chainsaw and a borrowed trailer, I began working within Portland, offering tree services to anyone who reached out to me for help. I may have had limited equipment and experience, but I was determined to continue doing the work I found most fulfilling. This marked the start of my journey. 

 

Since the very beginning, I have taken an unconventional path. During my senior year of high school, I dropped out to become a logger. I immediately found the work to be rewarding, spending my days in the outdoors doing a challenging job I enjoyed. 

 

Yet, as time passed, I began to feel the urge to explore new possibilities and venture into uncharted territory. The idea of starting my own business started taking shape as I engaged in side work, pruning trees, removing them and offering landscaping recommendations. I didn’t let my limited experience in the field stop me – every job taught me something new. 

 

As I honed my skills and my reputation grew in the community, the side work evolved into a full-fledged career. The more satisfied customers I had, the more I realized that this was my calling. In 1989, with passion as my guide, I officially established Rich's Tree Service, which now has 35 incredible employees, 75 pieces of modern equipment, and over 39,000 customers served over the years. 

 

Our humble beginnings serve as a testament to the motivation and drive behind the business. In those early days, I lacked many resources and capital, but that never deterred me. What I did have was a passion for my work and a commitment to always strive for better – whether it is our quality of work, education, skills, customer service, equipment, or team culture, we always strive for better! 

 

Over the years, my business completely transformed as we invested in our employees, equipment and quality of service. My initial lack of experience and business principles inspired me to continue developing professionally. Acquiring an arborist certification allowed me to elevate the standards of my services and the expectations I have for my employees. 

 

From that point forward, I cultivated a set of core values. Customer service holds paramount importance for us. We go the extra mile to demonstrate our appreciation to clients and ensure satisfaction at every level of interaction. I am very proud of the company culture I have created, where honesty and integrity are highly valued. I've had the pleasure of working with a dedicated team of skilled employees. It is a great source of pride to know most of our team sought us out, wanting to work for the very best in the industry. 

 

While my day-to-day is very different from when I first started in 1989, I still prioritize face-to-face client interactions. As one of our highly experienced estimators, each with 30+ years of experience, I still go out to view trees and offer free estimates at no cost or obligation to our clients. Working with our clients, I continue refining our processes and ensuring we always improve. 

 

Beyond business, I enjoy the process of caring for trees and landscapes, making them better and more functional. My wife, Kristi, and I share this passion, often spending time in the yard, maintaining our landscaping and finding new ways to enhance it. Kristi has been a great source of support as I run my business, and she helps manage our marketing.  

 

Together, we have a blended family of ten children, five of them working for the business. My children grew up around the industry and saw first-hand the hard work it took to get here. It fills me with immense pride that this small-scale venture has turned into a true family business, and I can’t wait to see what is next for us! 

 

For 30+ years, we have consistently provided exceptional service while placing our clients at the center of everything we do. One of the hallmarks of our approach is the personalized attention we offer to each client. We understand that every landscape is unique, and every customer has specific needs and preferences. When you choose to work with us, our team takes the time to understand your individual requirements, collaborating closely with you to devise tailored solutions that cater to your vision and goals. Additionally, we offer creative suggestions to transform your trees and landscaping, providing a comprehensive experience unlike any other. 

 

Our team is our backbone, and we take great care to provide them with the support they need to thrive. A friendly and helpful office staff and a strong team of experts ensure that your project is in capable hands. Our commitment to consistent communication ensures that you are always informed and up-to-date, giving you peace of mind and confidence in our abilities. Together, we work towards the common goal of exceeding your expectations and leaving a lasting impression.