I grew up on the same land where Arborico Nursery stands today.  In the early 1970s, when I was just a kid, my family and I planted thousands of Black Walnut and White Pine seedlings as part of a forestry program. As those trees grew, so did my connection to the land. My childhood chores - mowing, pruning, running equipment, and caring for young trees - became the foundation of the skills I rely on today. What was once 40 acres of open agricultural fields has since become a thriving woodland that still inspires me every day.  

In the late '80s and early '90s, my family acquired additional acreage. After a few years of renting it to local farmers, we began turning sections of it into evergreen plantings.  For many years, tree planting became a family tradition every spring. Eventually, we shifted our focus to restoration work, converting the remaining cropland into native prairie and woodland habitat with support from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Those early experiences — a hands-on, grassroots, deep connection to the land — shaped who I am and the work I do now.  

In 1991, I headed west to Colorado and got my first professional experience in the horticultural industry at the Fort Collins State Nursery. Not long after, opportunity took me east to Ohio, where I worked with my brother at Ford Distributing, Inc., spending nine years in wholesale agricultural and commercial machinery sales. Those years expanded my technical knowledge and strengthened my understanding of equipment, operations, and customer service. 

By 2001, my Wisconsin roots—along with my love of the outdoors and meeting the love of my life—pulled me back home. Returning to the family farm gave me the chance to begin Arborico Nursery. With a growing fleet of equipment and a lifetime of hands-on experience, the nursery naturally evolved into a combination of tree production and land improvement services.  

Since then, as a solo entrepreneur, I've planted more than 9,000 trees on the farm, maintained our woodlands and prairies, and worked hard to control invasive species and support the natural habitat. I've harvested and wholesaled countless trees, and during the months outside of planting and harvesting season, I've helped clients improve their land through forestry mowing and mulching, tree and brush clearing, stump grinding, grading, heavy-duty mowing, post-hole digging, drainage improvements, and other services. Helping people care for their land is something I take seriously—and personally. 

Clients often send referrals my way because they trust how I work. They know I'm honest, hardworking, fair, and kind. When you work with me, you get the same care and attention I'd give my own property. I listen first, act responsibly, and follow the principle of “first do no harm,”. If a project is outside my capabilities, I'll team up with or connect you to other skilled, trustworthy professionals who can help. 

If you have a project in mind—or simply want advice on trees, land improvement, or habitat restoration—I'm here to help.

Contact me anytime, and let's talk about how I can support your goals. 

Editing, marketing, and general sanity assistance provided by my wife, Julie, and my two daughters, Vivian and Jasmine.

Aerial photography provided by Angel's View Drone Services.