Veteran-Owned. Family-Operated. Built on Service.
Tree Wise Men LLC was born from a simple belief: tree care should be about more than just cutting trees down. Founded by Air Force veteran Jason James and his wife Jenna, a registered nurse, we bring the same dedication to our community that shaped our lives before arboriculture.
Financing available — low monthly payments
Employee spotlight: Austin
The 30+ people at Tree Wise Men aren't a faceless crew. Get to know one of them.
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Hi, my name is Austin. I'm a foreman and equipment operator here at Tree Wise Men.
One of the most challenging tree removal jobs I've ever done was a storm job. There were a bunch of trees that had fallen on top of each other onto a house — more of a matchbox situation. We had to figure out which one to take off first, which one to remove, so we wouldn't cause more damage to the house. We had to bring in specialized equipment — a GRCS (Good Rigging Control System), a portable winch — and piece by piece lifted trees off, making sure it was safe for the dwelling and the people who lived there.
Some misconceptions people have about tree care is that all we do is remove trees or flat-cut trees. We do a lot more. We treat trees, inject trees with fungicides, trim trees, do plant health care. We're not just landscapers — we're specialized in what we do and how we do it, and very knowledgeable in the craft.
Every new guy has to go through a buddy system. They follow somebody and get trained through all the equipment. We go through OSHA 10 training. We have monthly training with outside companies. Different guys with different trucks go to different classes to get their certifications. It's pretty wide-scale what we do, so the training is different for everybody — but everybody receives training on every piece of equipment they run here.
This wasn't necessarily something I always wanted to do. It was something I was pretty much born into. My grandpa removed trees — he was a climber. He trained my dad; my dad was a climber. My dad brought me into it. I've been running a chainsaw as long as I've been able to lift one. I've been into trees since I was a little kid and haven't gotten out of it.
A typical workday: you show up, talk to your foreman, get a grasp of the situation and the jobs you have, load up your trucks with the proper equipment, get there, and check it out. What's really sweet about our job is it's pretty much the same thing every day, but it's completely different every single day. You are doing trees every single day, but not one tree, not one situation is the same. That's what makes it interesting.
Some advice I'd give someone trying to get into tree work: be ready to work hard. It's not a cakewalk — you're working your tail off a lot. Obviously, we have equipment that makes night-and-day difference. I started here seven years ago when we had way less equipment and way more work. Now it's more catered toward less manual work. If you're really trying to get into it, learn a skill — learn how to run a skid loader or a truck. You're going to show up and be the new guy, but you want to be able to take more steps up the ladder.
I've been here since I was 18 — I'm 25 now, so going on seven years. It's a great job, great boss. He cares about you a lot, reinvests everything he gets into more equipment to make your job easier. It's a great spot to work. He takes care of all of us. It's dangerous, but it keeps you on your toes. It's a fun job. You've got to stay young.
From Service to Arboriculture
Before picking up a chainsaw, Jason James served in the United States Air Force. The military taught him discipline, precision under pressure, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to doing things the right way — no shortcuts, no compromises. Those values didn't stay on the base. They became the foundation of Tree Wise Men LLC.
Jenna James, a registered nurse, brought her own brand of dedication to the venture. Her career in healthcare instilled a deep sense of care for people, attention to detail, and the belief that education empowers better decisions. In the early days, Jenna handled everything from scheduling and billing to answering emergency calls at 2 AM — all while raising their two children.
What united them wasn't just ambition — it was a shared passion for trees and the outdoors. Growing up in Wisconsin, both Jason and Jenna developed a deep appreciation for the state's natural landscapes. They saw an opportunity to protect and preserve those landscapes professionally, and in 2010, Tree Wise Men LLC was born.
Jason James
President & Founder · ISA Certified Arborist (WI-1418A) · U.S. Air Force Veteran
Jason founded Tree Wise Men LLC in 2010 and has grown the company from a husband-and-wife operation into a 30-person team of ISA Certified Arborists, equipment operators, and crew members serving Rock, Dane, Walworth, and Jefferson counties. Every estimate is walked by a certified arborist, not a commission salesperson — that's a standard Jason set on day one and still personally enforces.
Read Jason's full bio →Military Discipline. Nursing Care. Arborist Expertise.
The unique backgrounds of our founders aren't just a nice story — they're built into every aspect of how we operate.
Safety-First, Always
Jason's Air Force training means safety isn't just a policy — it's a mindset. Every job starts with a safety briefing. Every crew member wears proper PPE. Every cut is planned before it's made. We follow ANSI Z133 safety standards because our people go home to their families every night.
Genuine Care for People
Jenna's nursing background means we treat every client like a patient — with empathy, clear communication, and honest advice. We don't upsell unnecessary work. We educate you on all your options — from preservation to removal — so you can make the best decision for your property and budget.
Passion for the Outdoors
We're not just tree workers — we're tree people. Our ISA Certified Arborists genuinely love what they do. We geek out over species identification, get excited about a well-executed crown reduction, and take pride in leaving every property better than we found it.
From a Husband-and-Wife Team to 30+ Professionals
In 2010, it was just Jason and Jenna — one truck, one chipper, and a relentless work ethic. Jason climbed the trees. Jenna answered the phones and kept the books. They built the business one satisfied customer at a time, earning trust through quality work and honest communication.
Today, Tree Wise Men LLC employs 30+ professionals including 4 ISA Certified Arborists, trained climbers, crane and grapple saw operators, and experienced ground crews. We operate a fleet of crane trucks, bucket trucks, grapple saws, chippers, and stump grinders — equipment that allows us to handle any job safely and efficiently.
But no matter how much we've grown, the culture Jason and Jenna built on day one hasn't changed: do the job right, treat people with respect, and never stop learning.
2010
Founded
30+
Team Members
700+
5-Star Reviews
4
ISA Certified Arborists
Meet Our Certified Arborists
Every arborist on our team holds current ISA certification and brings specialized expertise to your tree care project.
Jason James
President & Founder
U.S. Air Force veteran turned ISA Certified Arborist. Jason founded Tree Wise Men LLC with the vision of bringing professional, certified arborist services to Southern Wisconsin. He oversees every aspect of company operations, from complex crane removals to long-term tree health plans. His military discipline and deep knowledge of Wisconsin native tree species have made Tree Wise Men a trusted name across four counties.
Andrew Christl
Operations Manager
Andrew coordinates crew schedules, manages project logistics, and ensures every job site runs safely and efficiently. His love for trees runs deep — Andrew combines organizational skill and genuine passion for arboriculture to keep daily operations running at the highest standard across Janesville, Madison, and the surrounding communities.
Andrew Liebetrau
Sales Lead
Before entering tree care, Andrew built his career in radio advertising, developing strong communication and client relationship skills. His love for the outdoors drew him to arboriculture, and he's known for providing clear, honest assessments that help clients make informed decisions about tree removal, pruning, and long-term property care.
Mark Tyler Schrader
Grapple Saw & Crane Operator
Mark holds ISA Certified Arborist credentials alongside his Certified Crane Operator certification and CDL Class A license. His unique combination of arborist knowledge and heavy equipment expertise makes him invaluable for complex removals requiring crane work, grapple saw operations, or specialized rigging throughout Southern Wisconsin.
Rooted in Community
Tree Wise Men LLC isn't just a business in Southern Wisconsin — we're part of the community. From donating tree services to local nonprofits to sponsoring youth sports, we believe in giving back to the communities that have supported us since day one.
That community support has come back tenfold. We've been voted Best of Janesville by CommunityVotes four years running (2022–2025) and earned the Janesville Gazette's Best of the Best award. These honors mean the world to us because they come directly from the homeowners and businesses we serve.
Join us on our journey
Whether you need a single tree trimmed or an entire property cleared, we bring the same level of care, professionalism, and expertise to every job. We invite you to explore our site, learn about our services, and see why hundreds of homeowners and businesses across Southern Wisconsin trust Tree Wise Men LLC.
Warm regards,
Jason & Jenna James
Founders, Tree Wise Men LLC
ISA Certified Arborist | U.S. Air Force Veteran | Registered Nurse
About Tree Wise Men FAQs
Is Tree Wise Men LLC veteran-owned?
Yes. Tree Wise Men LLC was founded by Jason James, a United States Air Force veteran. The discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to service that Jason developed during his military career are the foundation of how we operate every day.
How long has Tree Wise Men been in business?
Tree Wise Men LLC has been serving Southern Wisconsin since 2010. What started as a husband-and-wife operation has grown into a team of 30+ professionals serving four counties across the region.
What certifications does your company hold?
We are ISA Certified (International Society of Arboriculture), TCIA Accredited (Tree Care Industry Association — fewer than 400 companies nationwide), CTSP Certified (Certified Treecare Safety Professional), and BBB Accredited with an A+ rating. Our team includes 4 ISA Certified Arborists.
What areas do you serve?
We serve communities throughout Rock County, Dane County, Walworth County, and Jefferson County in Southern Wisconsin. Our headquarters is in Janesville with an additional office in Madison to serve the greater Dane County area.
Is Tree Wise Men a family business?
Absolutely. Tree Wise Men LLC was founded by Jason and Jenna James. Their shared passion for the outdoors, service to community, and commitment to doing things the right way is what drives our company culture. Many of our team members have been with us for years and consider themselves part of the TWM family.
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